BTG: Salvation — The greatest gift
Matthew 26:47–50
Jesus Arrested
“While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said ‘Greetings Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Jesus replied, ‘Do what you came for, FRIEND’” .
I know this isn’t your typical verse to go to when Ben gave me the topic of salvation but bear with me for a few minutes. I have been reading through the book of Matthew, slowly but surely, and have often been visiting various commentaries to grasp it a bit deeper. I came across MacLaren’s Expositions, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. He focuses in on specifically verse 50 after Judas points Jesus out to those who will be arresting him, “Jesus replied, ‘Do what you came for, friend’”.
MacLaren’s describes that we are accustomed to think of the betrayer of our Lord and Savior as a kind of monster, who is beyond human sympathy. The process of Judas’ corruption was unseen by all eyes but Christ’s, as Judas sat at the Lord’s table asking “Lord, is it I?” who will betray you. Judas came to this terrible crime by slow degrees, and by paths which we may all tread. MacLaren states “As for the growth and development of his sin, let us remember that ‘we have all of us one human heart,’ and that the possibilities of crime as dark are in us all. And instead of shuddering abhorrence at a sin that can scarcely be understood, and can never be repeated, let us be sure that whatever man has done, man may do, and ask with humble consciousness of our own deceitful hearts, ‘Lord is it I?’”.
Wow, convicting right? I take a look at this moment of Judas coming to kiss, typically a sign of affection, a man he has walked with, ate with, followed, and intimately developed a relationship with, and he ultimately turns his back on him. This situation is not that far removed from what we see in relationships today. It’s no wonder Jesus warns us against the love of money, gossip, and other sins that lead to the breakdown of our relationships not only with Him, but also each other.
As convicting as that is, the words that Jesus chose in response to this moment is truly telling of His remarkable love. Christ meets Judas’ treacherous kiss with a last appeal. Although the choice of Judas to point out Jesus with a kiss to his adversaries was a heartless insult, almost worse to endure than the treason itself, Jesus remained patient and calm. MacLaren states, “The touch of the traitors lips has barely left his cheek, but not one faint passing flush of anger tinges it”. Jesus’s words had no agitation in them, but they are a grave rebuke which derives it’s force from the appeal to former companionship, “friend”. Christ still recognizes the bond, and is true to it. He will still plead with this man who has been beside Him, and although His heart is wounded, He will not just cast Judas off. A love that never fails.
MacLaren states,
“Surely if there was a man who might have been supposed to be excluded from the love of God, it was Judas. Surely if ever there was a moment in a human life, when one might have supposed that even Christ’s ever open heart would shut itself together against any one, it was this moment. But no, the betrayer in the very instant of his treason has that changeless tenderness lingering around him, and that merciful hand beckoning to him still.”
In the actual moment of betrayal, Jesus still attempts to draw this man in, as He knows He is going to the cross to save the souls of Gods people. Immediately following the time in which Jesus spent with His Father in the garden, asking if there would be any way this “cup could be removed from Him”. If the story of Saul to Paul isn’t enough to convince us Jesus died for all our sins, for all who will come to Him, this moment should top it off. Sin can wreak havoc on all of us. It can disturb us, divide relationships, cause consequences that are difficult to walk, but one thing it clearly cannot do is make God cease to love us. All human affection can be worn out by constant failure to evoke a response from cold hearts, ingratitude, indifference… but we have a God whose love is His very being. Who loves us, not for reasons in us, but in Himself; whose love is eternal and boundless as all His nature. Whose love therefore cannot be turned away by sin, but abides with us forever and is granted to every soul of man.
We are not massed together in God’s view. He does not lose the details of each and every soul in the whole that makes up the human race. Let us individualize that love and make the ‘broad promises’ of Christ our own, God loves me. Christ gave Himself up for me. I have a place in His tender heart, just as Judas did, just as Saul did, just as every sinner and saint does. Choose the gift of salvation today and meet His tender, graceful, never failing love.
