DEVOTION ~ THE BETRAYER AT HAND

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Theme: The Betrayer at Hand
Text: Matthew 26:44-46
44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”



Previous devotion taught us that Jesus had been praying in the Garden of Gethsemane while His inner core disciples couldn't watch and pray with Him. On His return the third time, we witness a crucial moment in the narrative of betrayal. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' closest disciples, seals his fate with a kiss, a gesture that transformed friendship into treachery. This act doesn’t just lead to Jesus’ arrest; it shatters the trust among the disciples and sets off a chain reaction of events that changed the course of history. 

Judas’ betrayal highlights the fragility of loyalty and the complexity of human motives. It raises profound questions about free will and predestination. Was Judas merely a pawn in a divine plan, or did he choose his path? His actions are a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk within even the most devoted followers; we are no exception. We ought to constantly seek God's guidance through the Holy Spirit in every decision we make. Resist the urge to betray and always be moved with compassion. 

At the sight of Judas, Jesus mentions, "My betrayer is at hand." This informs us that, as Jesus prepares for his crucifixion, he acknowledges the weight of betrayal, urging his disciples to rise and confront the impending storm. This moment encapsulates the tension between divine purpose and human choice, leaving us to ponder the true cost of betrayal and the depth of forgiveness. As the Lord was calm in the storm of betrayal, let us also be wise in speech when surrounded by scoundrels. 


Let us Pray: Almighty God, deliver me from the spirit of betrayal and grant me a forgiving heart to forgive all who have betrayed me in time past. Heal me, Lord! This I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! 

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