CAC LIVING WATER - BETRAYAL DOESN’T PAY

LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL
BETRAYAL DOESN’T PAY

3RD , JULY 2022

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:  Psalms 107-111

READ:  Matthew 26:27-46

 

 

27 And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink of it, all of you;

28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

29 I say to you, I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it with you new and of superior quality in My Father’s kingdom.

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

31 Then Jesus said to them, You will all be offended and stumble and fall away because of Me this night [distrusting and deserting Me], for it is written, I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.

32 But after I am raised up [to life again], I will go ahead of you to Galilee.

33 Peter declared to Him, Though they all are offended and stumble and fall away because of You [and distrust and desert You], I will never do so.

34 Jesus said to him, Solemnly I declare to you, this very night, before a single rooster crows, you will deny and disown Me three times.

35 Peter said to Him, Even if I must die with You, I will not deny or disown You! And all the disciples said the same thing.

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, Sit down here while I go over yonder and pray.

37 And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to show grief and distress of mind and was deeply depressed.

38 Then He said to them, My soul is very sad and deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and keep awake and keep watch with Me.

39 And going a little farther, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will [not what I desire], but as You will and desire.

40 And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, What! Are you so utterly unable to stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour?

41 All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42 Again a second time He went away and prayed, My Father, if this cannot pass by unless I drink it, Your will be done.

43 And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were weighed down with sleep.

44 So, leaving them again, He went away and prayed for the third time, using the same words.

45 Then He returned to the disciples and said to them, Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of especially wicked sinners [whose way or nature it is to act in opposition to God].

46 Get up, let us be going! See, My betrayer is at hand!

 

 

MEMORISE: “And casting the pieces of silver [forward] into the [Holy Place of the sanctuary of the] temple, he departed; and he went off and hanged himself.”   - Matthew 27:5

 

EXPOSITION

It is written that the Messiah would have to be betrayed by someone (Psa. 41v9), but nowhere is the name or other detail of the betrayer specified in the Scripture. That Scripture must be fulfilled however, someone would have to do it. But why would Judas allow himself to be the one on whose head the coconut would be broken? The greed in him that He didn't overcome made him readily available and ready to fulfil this negative Scripture.

        Judas had willingly offered to betray His Master (26v14-16), and that for the supposed gain in it-thief, '419'. In the end, the killer opportunity came (c.f. 26v16), motivated by the devil who thought he was stopping God's eternal redemptive programme (c.f.. Gen.3v15), but monitored by God to shock the devil (Acts 4v27-28). Judas handed his Friend and Master (c.f.. Psa. 41v9) over to His killers. But surprisingly, to him, knowing that Jesus is superhuman, the King of kings to his arresters and assailants (Matt. 26v47ff).

           Overwhelmed by the reality of negatively fulfilling the Scripture, his guilty conscience led him to suicide (27:3-10; 2 Cor. 7:9-12). He got the recompense for his greed and betrayal spirit/tendency.

        Honestly check your heart. Is there such tendency in you? How many friends who trusted you have you stylishly, cunningly led into their "killers" hands sometimes undiscovered? How many family members, colleagues, friends, co-workers, etc. have you betrayed? You won't go scot-free (c.f.. Prov.11v20,21). The only way out is to repent, NOW! Come to Jesus for the cleansing blood, to enjoy His mercy. He is forever gracious!

 

 

PRAYER POINT:

1. Ask God to forgive you of any past action of betrayal with a promise never to do such again.

2. Lord, kill every betrayal tendency in me, now, in Jesus name.

3. Pray for brethren who are suffering from the pains of betrayal of any form, that God should help intervene and bail them out.

 

 

DO HAVE A BLESSED DAY

 

©2022  LIVING WATERS IS a daily devotional by THE CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH