Moment of Meditation: One of the Twelve (Matthew 26:47)

''While [Jesus] was still speaking, Judas came, one of the Twelve (Matthew 26:47).''

How many times have you been betrayed by someone close to you? If you've been through junior high and high school, you've had it happen plenty. You sink under the darkness wondering, "Why didn't I see this coming? Why is she being so mean to me? Why would he hurt me like that?"

But Jesus didn't ask these questions. These questions are laced with the sin of selfishness. And Jesus didn't sin. But He is constantly sinned against.

You and I are Judas. Jesus was not just betrayed once in the Garden of Gethsemane. He's betrayed over and over again every day. Judases surround Him as He proclaimed on the cross: "Dogs encompass Me; a company of evildoers encircles Me. They have pierced My hands and feet ... They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots" (Psalm 22:16-18).

Jesus is betrayed by every sin. Judas' sin. Your sin. My sin. But we must ground everything in our life with Jesus' first word from the cross: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). And Jesus forgives each and every betrayal against Him. Offering you everlasting life with Him. Amen.