Word@Work 170 - Mark 14:20-21
Published: Mon, 07/21/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 14:20-21 "It is one of the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." (NIV)
Jesus now identifies the betrayer. John 13:26-27 says that Jesus gave a token of honour (a piece of bread soaked in the herb juices) to Judas, but he may well have done similarly to the others too. Clearly they did not see the action as special to Judas. And so the suspense continues even after Judas leaves the table. Two scenarios are about to be acted out, and Jesus explains what is about to happen.
On the one hand, the death of Jesus was a Divinely formulated plan, prophesied in Scripture, which Jesus relentlessly pursued to the point at which he could say, "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No-one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." (John 10:17-18 (NIV)). On the other hand it was a human conspiracy of envy, hatred and greed that found its expression through Judas' betrayal. But the Divine plan in no way excused the betrayer, whose eternal fate would be the consequence of his own actions.
Here the covenant grace of God and the choices of human free will find a remarkable alliance. In no way does the action of man cut across God's will, and in no way does God force Judas into actions that he had not chosen. However nice it might be to seek to reconcile grace and free will, it is God's privilege to do so and not ours. We can neither excuse our behaviour on the grounds that 'God left me no choice'; nor reduce the impact of His sovereign will by claiming any credit for our initiatives. The fact is that God always does what He chooses, and we are left with the responsibility to choose in line with His revealed will. Those who do that (like Mary in Mark 14:6-9) are commended: those who do not, like Judas, are condemned. The choice is yours!
Prayer: Sovereign Lord. You always do what is right to achieve Your purposes. Help me to understand Your will from the Scripture, so that I will know which choices will please you; and then help me to do what I know to be right - so that I may receive Your blessing. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Jesus now identifies the betrayer. John 13:26-27 says that Jesus gave a token of honour (a piece of bread soaked in the herb juices) to Judas, but he may well have done similarly to the others too. Clearly they did not see the action as special to Judas. And so the suspense continues even after Judas leaves the table. Two scenarios are about to be acted out, and Jesus explains what is about to happen.
On the one hand, the death of Jesus was a Divinely formulated plan, prophesied in Scripture, which Jesus relentlessly pursued to the point at which he could say, "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No-one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." (John 10:17-18 (NIV)). On the other hand it was a human conspiracy of envy, hatred and greed that found its expression through Judas' betrayal. But the Divine plan in no way excused the betrayer, whose eternal fate would be the consequence of his own actions.
Here the covenant grace of God and the choices of human free will find a remarkable alliance. In no way does the action of man cut across God's will, and in no way does God force Judas into actions that he had not chosen. However nice it might be to seek to reconcile grace and free will, it is God's privilege to do so and not ours. We can neither excuse our behaviour on the grounds that 'God left me no choice'; nor reduce the impact of His sovereign will by claiming any credit for our initiatives. The fact is that God always does what He chooses, and we are left with the responsibility to choose in line with His revealed will. Those who do that (like Mary in Mark 14:6-9) are commended: those who do not, like Judas, are condemned. The choice is yours!
Prayer: Sovereign Lord. You always do what is right to achieve Your purposes. Help me to understand Your will from the Scripture, so that I will know which choices will please you; and then help me to do what I know to be right - so that I may receive Your blessing. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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