Knowing The Word in Luke 22:3-6, Judas to Betray Jesus

Luke explains Judas’ treachery as the action of Satan, which puts him in agreement with John. Judas now takes the initiative. He is not sought out but betrays the trust of Jesus, who had made him part of the inner circle. Do you think Jesus was surprised by Judas? Judas has solved the chief priests’ problem and will be rewarded. Arresting Jesus away from the crowd is most important to the chief priests, and Judas will now look for an opportunity to do just that.

Luke 22:3-6

3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

Prayer

Hassan Dehqani-Tafti, written when he was the Anglican Bishop in Iran, after the murder of his son

O God we remember not only our son but also his murderers; not because they killed him in the prime of his youth and made our hearts bleed and our tears flow, not because with this savage act they have brought further disgrace on the name of our country among the civilized nations of the world; but because through their crime we now follow thy footsteps more closely in the way of sacrifice. The terrible fire of this calamity burns up all selfishness and possessiveness in us; its flame reveals the depth of depravity and meanness and suspicion, the dimension of hatred and the measure of sinfulness in human nature; it makes obvious as never before our need to trust in God’s love as shown in the cross of Jesus and his resurrection; love which makes us free from hate towards our persecutors; love which brings patience, forbearance, courage, loyalty, humility, generosity, greatness of heart; love which more than ever deepens our trust in God’s final victory and his eternal design for the Church and for the world; love which teaches us how to prepare ourselves to face our own day of death.

O God, our son’s blood has multiplied the fruit of the Spirit in the soil of our souls; so when his murderers stand before thee on the day of judgement remember the fruit of the Spirit by which they have enriched our lives. And forgive.