Season 5 Podcast 48 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew 26 B, “The Betrayal.”

A New Voice of Freedom

Season 5 Podcast 48 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew 26 B, “The Betrayal.”

In last week’s episode we explored The Anointing. In this week’s episode we shall explore The Betrayal. Because of the principle of opposition, because Christianity deals with mortality and immortality, good and evil, God and Satan, freedom and captivity, the omniscience of God vs the limitations of mortal man, Christianity is filled with paradox. For example, when Christ called his apostles, he knew which one would betray him. In John 6:64 we are told, “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.” Yet Christ still called Judas to one of the highest callings in the church. Christ knew that David, whose Psalms are like the voices of angels, would commit murder and marry Bathsheba and their son Solomon would become king, yet he chose David. The inability to resolve paradox has led many to turn against God. The betrayal of Jesus is a grand paradox, and is a symbol of the paradoxes inherent in Christianity.

“Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.” (Matthew 26:17-18)

Christ is going to his death, and he knows it. Since the Passover was to be eaten inside the walls of Jerusalem, this must have been a miracle to find a room prepared that was so large. One can only imagine the throngs of people. The terseness of the Bible carries power for one is forced to read between the lines. From this point on everything happens quickly. One can only imagine the intensity of the following conversation.

“And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.” (Matthew 26:19-21)

Judas has already betrayed the Savior. Following the anointing Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and sold the Savior for thirty pieces of silver. Apparently he hasn’t received the silver yet for Matthew records, “they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.” It was an oral agreement. Perhaps he is caught by surprise that his betrayal is known by the Savior.

The chilling thought, however, sends fear through the other disciples.

“And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?”

Of course, none of the disciples save one could have known that Christ had already been betrayed. However, even the Savior does not keep it a secret, as if he is trying to give Judas a chance to repent.

“And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.”

Did he whisper that to only those disciples who were closest to him. If so, he kept it no longer to himself. He made it abundantly clear to Judas and to all the other disciples.

“The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.”