Today's Reading: Matthew 26: 47-56
**For a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please click this link: Subject Shifting Devotion.pdf.
Please click this link to read Matthew 26: 47-56
Bible Study
There were so much confusion and anger in this passage. A large crowd armed with sword and clubs prepared for severe opposition. Judas kiss of betrayal and death. Peter's using his sword to cut the servant's ear off. In the midst of this chaos, Jesus call Judas, the one he knew to betray him "friend". What kind of picture do you see in this action-filled passage?
N.T. Wright says:
Now we see, with overwhelming pathos, Jesus' last reaction to the traitor as he led the arresting party right to the place where he knew they would find him. 'My friend,' he says, 'what are you doing here?' (or possibly, 'do what you've come to do'; the words in the original are a bit cryptic, but I think it's more likely that Jesus was posing a last gentle question to Judas: Do you really want to go through with this?) It is of course the word 'friend' that causes us to catch our breath. Friendship, for Jesus, does not stop with betrayal, even though now it is tinged with deep sadness.
Bishop Wright gives us a deep reflection of how we need to follow Jesus example. What have you got?
Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"
Spiritual Journal
What I heard from Jesus today is: Friendship does not stop with betrayal!
What I got from Jesus today is a life changing secret if we dare to follow. Bishop Wright gives us a good message to ponder about - Friendship does not stop with betrayal. In reality, it won't happen to most people!
Jesus' example leads me to think in three aspects:
1. We as Jesus' disciples can't get away from the sadness and hurt of being betrayed by our beloved friends or even family members.
2. We need to give them as much chance as we can. Just as Jesus' last gentle question to Judas. Do you think you can do that? I have to confess that it would be very difficult for me. How difficult would it be for you?
3. Friendship does not stop with betrayal! Practice this and not just say that you agree! This is the challenge for you today!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Lead us to practice today's message that friendship does not stop with betrayal. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
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