Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver Jesus over to you?
Matthew 26:14-16
Ever had more to do than your day allowed? No time for lunch, additional appointments, phone calls, unplanned conversations, or outside activities. Forget conversations with your family and friends. The hands on the clock move quickly, and the countless tasks move slowly. There is a battle between time and task. Inevitably, when your day is done, there is always more to do tomorrow, and thus, the race waits for another day.
Interestingly enough, as Jesus fell asleep in Bethany Monday evening of Passion week, He did so, understanding there was more to do on Tuesday. How would you sleep knowing that you had only a few days left to live on Earth? What tasks would be essential for you to accomplish? Spending time with your family? Making up for bad relationships? Jesus woke up with great focus, and Tuesday turned out to be a day of several significant events.
Jesus Confronts the Pharisees
Jesus made his 2-mile trek from Bethany to Jerusalem once again through the Mount of Olives. This day was an opportunity to instruct, encourage, challenge, and defend.
The clock continues to follow the sun, and Jesus continues his journey to Jerusalem to meet with those who are already planning His demise.
Jesus returned to the sight of yesterday’s fight in the Temple. Yesterday (Monday), Jesus went through and, in a way, cleansed the Temple. He said that the Temple had become a haven or refuge for those who were dishonest. It had become a den of thieves. This confrontation caused much confusion and disgust with the chief priests and elders.
I imagine their Monday evening was much different than the evening Jesus experienced. I can see the chief priests and elders meeting where they usually met to discuss critical issues. Maybe it was at a home or perhaps in the local park. I mean, they just couldn’t let Jesus come into town and make accusations, cause an unnecessary stir in the Temple, and drive the money changers away. Jesus was going to ruin Passover for everyone. What was He thinking? Someone had to stop Jesus. Someone had to stop this heresy. Somehow, someone must stop Jesus. So, they developed a plan and decided to confront Jesus on Tuesday.
Indeed their plan would work.
As you read in Matthew 21:23-27, they challenged Jesus’ authority. This question was well-drafted and thoroughly planned. It was a trap. They wanted Jesus to claim divinity so that they could accuse Him of blasphemy. Let’s take a look together at the scene.
23 And when he (Jesus) entered the Temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?”.
As you can see, Jesus turned the tables and asked them a question that would trap them into an “I don’t know” response. This is an interesting discourse because the chief priests and elders already knew the answer but tried to trap Jesus. Not this time…….
And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
He continued to disgust the Pharisees in a short discourse. Matthew 23:24-33. In this passage, he calls the Pharisees a bunch of snakes. This was not a very endearing conversation and only made the Pharisees continue to burn with anger and embarrassment.
A series of questions, parables, teaching, and some of Jesus’ most essential thoughts about Himself followed. But, while all this teaching was taking place, decisions were being made that set-in motion events leading up to the crucifixion. No doubt, Jesus knew what was to come, but He continued to teach.
Jesus Betrayed by Judas
Judas. A name that continues to haunt people centuries later. A name people never name their children and a name that strikes feelings of confusion and anger.
While Jesus was spending His time teaching in the Temple, Judas was spending his time contemplating the betrayal. I’ve always wondered why some people do certain things. Judas is one of those people. There must have been so much conflict in his mind. I can’t wrap my mind around it. On Tuesday, Judas met with the Sanhedrin, bargained with them, and decided to sell Jesus out for money. This betrayal seems reasonable after his encounter with Mary in Bethany. Remember? He scolded her for not selling the expensive perfume to help the poor, but he was only concerned about keeping the money for himself. Greed. Greed captured and took up residence in Judas’ heart, and this selfishness was in full bloom on Tuesday.
Think about it. The stakes were high, and they must stop Jesus. Why not agree to allow one of His own to betray Him. It was perfect. The plan is now in place. Nothing could stop them. Jesus was on borrowed time. Judas……. well……. he was making significant choices in his life that would eventually lead to his destruction (Matthew 26:14-16).
The Larger Question…
I sometimes wonder what we exchange for Jesus? Are we sometimes more interested in fame, fortune, the thrill, the car, the date, or the house? I wonder. As I sit here this morning, that is one of my questions. Do I exchange my love for Jesus for my love of self and stuff? Hmm. I wonder what was going through Judas’ mind. Perhaps Judas was just interested in the money. Maybe Judas was motivated by the fame of turning Jesus into the council. Perhaps Judas was upset with Jesus and wanted to get even. Either way, Judas was gravely mistaken and was a catalyst for events as the clock continues to tick-tock away. Thursday was coming quickly.
A two-mile walk back to the small town of Bethany awaited Him. A much-deserved night’s rest…. probably not for Judas.
What a day…
For more about what happened on Monday of Passion week, click the following link: