JESUS
by
Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (March 13, 2015)
“And he answered and said, “He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.” (St. Matthew 26:23, King James Version (KJV) [The last supper]. “But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.” (St. Luke 22:21(KJV) [The last supper]. “I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his hand against me.” (St. John 13:18 (KJV) [He foretelleth his betrayal]. “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” (Psalms 41:9 (KJV) [David's zeal to serve God].
Greetings In The Name Of Jesus,
My brothers and sisters. Betrayal is not a far-fetched or outlandish notion to consider the mere thought that the one who will offend you also ate with you or still eats with you as a friend does to confirm [validate] sincerity---truth of friendship yet the possibility of failed friendship, betrayal, and mistrust exists between you as the spirit of Satan stood between Jesus and Peter:
“Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that
he was Jesus the Christ. From that time forth began Jesus to shew
unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer
many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be
killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and
began to rebuke him, saying, “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall
not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee
behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest
not the things that be of God, but those things that be of men.”
(St. Matthew 16:20-23 (KJV) [Peter's confession of Christ].
The betrayal between men who love and trust each other, boggled even the minds of those who denied that they could and would behave that way to a friend even Peter could not believe the spirit of Satan would come upon him possess and cause him to betray Jesus Christ whom he loved. We find this break-down in familiar relationships every day, when two brothers offend each other even in the test of love for God in relationships of father to son, mother to daughter, and mother-in-law to daughter-in law.
Is it possible that a God-fearing man, woman, child of God who stood the test of love still could and would betray the one whom love is undeniable. How can you deny Christ Jesus love when God is love therefore the son of God, Jesus Christ is love yet he was denied? Is it that we only betray those whom we hate? It is nonsense to think to utter the thought that love is only denied to those we hate.
We deny those we love as history repeats itself---again and again, we deny love and betray those we love. Is this what happened in our society today in modern times when the mother hired someone to kill her daughter, when the father/grandfather killed his daughter and her six children who lived with him since earlier he killed his son and only received a gun possession crime, when the father killed his five children since the courts gave him the right to raise his children. Do we think of Christ Jesus' relationship with his family when they chose to kill him over Barabbas without cause:
“But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they
should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.” (St. Matthew 27:20 (KJV)
[corruption in priesthood]. “Then Judas, which had betrayed him,
2
when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and
brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and
elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the
innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to
that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and
departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests
took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them
into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took
counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers
in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this
day.” (St. Matthew 27:3-8 (KJV) [Judas betrayed Jesus with the
chief priests and elders].
Is that what happened to the husband and wife who sought marriage counseling only to have the minister start a relationship with the wife and the husband thrown in jail for trying to kill those in court after losing his wife? Who do you run to---to help you solve the problems of your heart and mind? Is it your minister? Is it a counselor outside of your faith? Is it a friend or a confidante---someone you can tell your secrets and the darkness of your heart and soul? Is it prayer? What happens when the one you run to betrays you---casts you into death and destruction? Satan acted like Jesus could come to him for help when Jesus prayed in the quiet of Gethsemane just to get angry when Jesus rejected him and continued in prayer to God his father.
In THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, Peter and the disciples discussed Judas' betrayal of Jesus:
“For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this
ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of
iniquity; and failing headlong, he burst asunder in the midst,
and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the
dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in
their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of
blood. For it is written in Psalms, Let his habitation be
desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick
let another take.” (1:17-20 (KJV) [The end of Judas'
service for God's business].
What happens when the offense is not made right for righteousness sake and justice is not served immediately or as quick as it can happen to satisfy the need of revenge---even more so you feel compelled to forgive and continue to live your life with the offender? Is this what Jesus meant when he said “turn the other cheek” dispelling “an eye for an eye”. Do you think the family of those betrayed and killed who ask for a lesser sentence and refuse to see those who betrayed and killed receive the death sentence, really forgive in their hearts or is it just what they feel they must do because of public opinion against “a death for a death” or “an eye for an eye” because they do not want to be left alone, “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, “every man to his own, and shall leave me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.” (St. John 16:32 (KJV) [Christ prayeth to his Father]. Who truly forgives an offense? Can you forgive an offense?
Many times we forget that Jesus said above and beyond all things to “follow thou me” (St. John 21:22 (KJV) [Christ's charge to Peter]. It is easy to become preoccupied with many things yet Jesus simply said, “Follow me”. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. In The Name Of Jesus. Amen.
