Reading: Luke 22:1-6
Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. The chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might put Him to death; for they were afraid of the people. And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. They were glad and agreed to give him money. So he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the crowd. [NASB1995®]
While Jesus speaks in front of all the people in the temple, the plots begin.
What is the goal of Satan and his henchmen? Kill Jesus. Priests, Pharisees and scribes believe that the solution to the uproar that this galilean is causing is to kill him. As the saying goes, “The rabies dies with the dog.”
What they fail to see is that no one can thwart God’s plans. Even what they are doing is part of the fulfillment of God’s will. Jesus himself said it on several occasions: it is necessary for the Son of Man to be betrayed, to suffer and to surrender his life. Unintentionally, they are just one more piece of God’s plan.
But look at a certain detail in how they act. Everything they do is done secretly. They are children of darkness, and they make their plans as worthy children of the father of lies.
They want to get rid of Jesus, but they have no desire to arrest him in front of everyone. Jerusalem is full of people during this time, so they make use of their evil nature and cunning, and it is Judas who lends himself to their game.
We could meditate on Judas’ betrayal, but I would like to draw your attention to two aspects of what we are addressing.
Satan, the Pharisees, and Judas believe they can stop God’s plans. Frustrate His will. But that is impossible. Even the enemies of God, with all their schemes, end up being subjected to the will of the Sovereign God.
Satan and his henchmen always work in darkness, with deceit. As John says, the one who does evil dislikes light and he flees from it (John 3:20).
MEDITATE: As children of God, we must always operate with the truth, although sometimes this may harm us. Without offending or seeking conflict we must always be willing to be honest and sincere, because we trust that God has control over all things. God bless you!
Scripture quotation taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Translation By: Emily Stader
