Betrayal (John 13:21-30)

Today's scripture: John 13:21-30

When I think of what Jesus did for me, my heart breaks. I'm not just talking about His death. Throughout His ministry, Jesus was challenged and ridiculed. His life was threatened.

Yet I think one of the most heartbreaking things that Jesus experienced on His journey to the cross was the betrayal by Judas Iscariot. Judas was one of Jesus' chosen twelve. He had walked with the Master for three years. He had listened to words of truth. He had seen the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk. He had watched as Lazarus walked out of the grave.

And just moments ago, Jesus had knelt at his feet and washed them. I imagine that moment. Jesus kneeling at the feet of the man who would betray Him. Can you imagine what might have been going through each man's mind? Jesus, knowing what Judas was about to do, still gazed at him with love. I imagine His heart broke. He loved this man, yet He knew Judas' heart was open to the lies of the enemy.

It's harder for me to imagine Judas' mind, though. I have to believe he cared for Jesus. I don't think Judas betrayed Jesus because he hated Him; I think he was just really greedy. We already read of his response when Mary anointed Jesus' feet. We know from John's words that Judas lined his own pockets with offerings given to Jesus. I honestly believe Judas thought Jesus would be imprisoned, but I don't think he thought the Master would be killed.

In any case, no matter Judas' motives, he did indeed betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. And Jesus watched one of His closest friends leave "immediately" to hand Him over to the chief priests and Pharisees.

Jesus understands us. He knows us. He knows our hearts. And He completely, totally understands betrayal. If you've been betrayed by a friend or a spouse or a family member, He knows what you're going through. You can go to Him and open your heart to Him. Give Him your pain. Give Him your sorrow. He knows what you're feeling.

Surrendered Hearts (Psalm 51:18-19)

Today's scripture: Psalm 51:18-19

Yesterday, we talked about how God was much more pleased with our broken and contrite hearts rather than sacrifices.

Today’s verses seem to contradict that. Not really. Sometimes, we need to meditate on verses remembering the context and the time in which they were written. When David wrote these words, the Christ hadn’t come to earth yet. And the only way to demonstrate contrition was through burnt offerings.

For reasons beyond our understanding, God requires the spilling of blood for atonement. And before the Son came to earth and became our once-for-all sacrifice, that blood was offered on the altar of the tabernacle.

But there’s a key word in these verses. A mere sacrifice wasn’t sufficient. It needed to be a sacrifice of righteousness. Just as we need to come to God with broken and contrite hearts seeking His forgiveness, God was pleased with sacrifices from sincere hearts seeking redemption.

And as we saw yesterday, God desires completely surrendered hearts. He did then. And He does now.

A Broken Heart (Psalm 51:14-17)

Today's scripture: Psalm 51:14-17

Prior to Jesus Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, God’s people found atonement through sacrifice. Once a year, the high priest would enter the "holy of holies" and sacrifice a perfect, unblemished lamb.

But even then, it wasn’t the sacrifice itself that pleased God. It was the state of man’s heart. God’s delight wasn’t in the act of burning a lamb. No, it was the broken heart that said, “I know I’ve sinned against you, Holy God. Please forgive me.”

And it’s the same today. God isn’t looking for our “sacrifice.” He doesn’t desire our hard work or service if we’re doing so with a selfish heart or as an act of compulsion. He wants our “broken and contrite heart.” He wants our total surrender.

It really doesn’t matter what we do. It matters why we do it. A story from the New Testament is a good example. Jesus observed how people gave financially to the work of God. Some gave liberally, but clearly with wrong motives. Then one widowed woman gave a couple of cents, which was all she had. She gave from a heart broken for God. She gave because she knew anything she had was God’s anyway.

What’s the state of your heart? Are you serving God because you think it will get you more “points”? Are you giving “sacrificially,” but with a proud or even resentful heart? God doesn’t really care about what you’re “burning” on the altar. He only cares that your heart is fully His.