Today’s Reading: John 19:1-27; Psalm 85
CAN YOU IMAGINE A SIN WORSE THAN THE BETRAYAL OF JUDAS?
He was one of Jesus’ closest companions, yet he turned Jesus over to be arrested. Some say he was guilty of the sin of greed because of the thirty coins he received for turning Jesus over to the religious leaders. This is consistent with his comment about the value of the oil Mary poured on the feet of Jesus. He saw more value in selling the twelve ounce jar of expensive perfume and adding to the disciples’ money, which he was known for stealing from (John 12:1-6).
Jesus knew what Judas was already guilty of, and he knew what he was about to do. But Jesus loved Judas, even though he knew that his heart was ready and willing to do what Satan was telling him to do. Knowing all of this, Jesus washed the feet of Judas; describing Judas as unclean, Jesus still knelt in front of Judas and washed his feet.
Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. – John 13:1-5
Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!” – John 13:21
Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” – John 13:26-27
After Judas left, Jesus turned to his disciples and instructed them to love each other. Just as he had shown them great love during his time with them, they were to show one another love. Simon Peter was concerned that Jesus was saying goodbye to them and he did not want Jesus to leave. When he asked Jesus where he was going, Jesus revealed to Peter that he would soon deny that he even knew Jesus.
CAN YOU IMAGINE A SIN WORSE THAN THE DENIAL OF PETER?
One of the disciples was acquainted with the high priest, so he was able to enter into the gate while Jesus was being questioned at the home of Annas. He spoke with the woman at the gate and she allowed Peter to join him. When she asked if he was one of Jesus’ disciples, Peter said he was not (John 18:17).
Inside Jesus was being questioned about his followers and what he had been teaching them. One of the Temple guards slapped Jesus on the face because he didn’t like the answer Jesus gave. While they were binding Jesus to prepare him for transport to the high priest, Caiaphas, Peter was once again denying that he knew Jesus. After the third denial, the rooster crowed, just as Jesus had told Peter it would.
After questioning Jesus, Pilate tried to release him back to the Jews as part of the annual custom of releasing one prisoner each year at Passover. When the people chose Barabbas, Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. This kind of flogging would have ripped at Jesus flesh, leaving him bleeding and severely wounded. The soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head and a purple robe on back, all while mocking him.
CAN YOU IMAGINE A SIN WORSE THAN VERBALLY MOCKING AND PHYSICALLY TORMENTING JESUS?
Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus away. Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. – John 19:16-18
How was Jesus responding to the betrayal, the denial, and the mocking? Surely Jesus was filled with anger and hatred towards those who were treating him so terribly. Surely he was looking forward to justice being poured out on the religious leaders and those who cried out for his crucifixion. Or maybe not. Let’s look at Jesus’ words while he hung on the cross:
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” – Luke 23:34
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:39-43
CAN YOU IMAGINE THE GRACE DISPLAYED BY JESUS ON THE CROSS?
Judas sinned against Jesus. Peter was disloyal to the One he had said he would die for. The religious leaders plotted against Jesus, and then demanded that he be crucified. The soldiers physically beat the Lord, making fun of him and gambling for his clothing. The criminal had broken the law and he deserved his place on a cross, while Jesus did not. Jesus did not deserve any of the mistreatment, and he definitely did not deserve to die.
But in this moment of injustice, Jesus displayed grace. He did not excuse the sin of those around him, but he did die for the sake of their salvation. Jesus did not redefine what is right and what is wrong in order to make room for sinners to join him in heaven, but he did make it possible for all sinners to experience redemption and eternal life.
Lord, thank you for your unmerited favor. Thank you for extending grace when we do not deserve it, forgiving us for the worst of our sins and reconciling us to the Father. We are sinners in need of the salvation you provided when you died on the cross, and we humbly thank you for seeing beyond our worst decisions and restoring us to a right relationship with you. We love you. Amen.