The Betrayal

While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had given them a signal. "The One I kiss, " he said, "He's the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard." So when he came he came right up to Him and said, "Rabbi!"- and kissed Him. Then they took hold of him and arrested Him. Mark 14:43-46

The pain of having one of the Twelve betray Him would have been huge for Jesus. Imagine the pain for the other eleven. They did not know it was Judas, only Jesus knew this. The disciples would have been hurt and disappointed. The hurt of betrayal winds you, crushes your heart. Although they had protested loudly their faithfulness the disciples did not count on the effect of the betrayal. After an initial effort to stand and fight, they all ran, just as Jesus said they would.

What is interesting is the fact that Jesus did not stand out, He needed to be marked by Judas's kiss. He was a plain ordinary man on the outside but more than that on the inside, the mighty Son of God and Saviour.

Nothing is as it seems. Today I went for a walk and met up with the two women I wanted to invite to the up and coming women's conference my church is holding at the local entertainment centre. I invited one and she said she would think about it, but then I invited the most unlikely one and she said, "Yes!" Without hesitation. This lady is the most unusual woman you would ever meet. She walks her 4 dogs, one in a pram and three on leads. She had red trousers, earrings all up her ears, shaved short hair, swears like a trooper, but has the kindest heart. When I went to church tonight I was telling another woman about this lady and she knows her, in fact she used to go to church. I was gobsmacked!

My God is up to something! And I love it! And am smack bam in the middle of it. Yes!

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