Luke 22:1-6 - The plot to betray Jesus

Luke tells us that the Passover Feast was fast approaching. The decision that Jesus must die was the overwhelming agreement among members of the Sanhedrin. An informal meeting among the chief priests and the scribes was probably called on that Wednesday prior to the first Good Friday. The place they met was likely to be in the home of Caiaphas, the reigning High Priest. What's amazing was the fact that they were afraid to arrest Jesus in the open. They consulted with each other on how the arrest could be made without a riot. Jesus' popularity was swelling by the day and the populace looked up to His leadership. So the arrest must be in secret. This was not the first time that they had tried to apprehend Jesus. There were several failed attempts before.

Jesus of course was not oblivious of the plot. He knew the pivotal moment He came for was drawing near. Since his failure to stumble Jesus at His temptation, Satan had been seeking a more opportune time to trap the Lord. So darkness had cast its shadow in the form of Judas Iscariot, one of His twelve disciples. Luke 22:3-4 said that Satan entered into Judas Iscariot. This phrase does not mean that he was possessed but that his act was satanically inspired. So he went to the chief priest and the Sanhedrin to consult how he could betray Jesus.

Judas had an inordinate passion for money. Being the treasurer of the group, he had often pilfered from their common purse. This same love for money, his weakest point, was exploited by Satan now and he was led further into sin. This is a grim reminder to us believers that once Satan has a foothold in our lives, he will exploit it to the fullest. It behoves us to be alert. Because like a roaring lion, that devil still prowls around seeking to devour us, at our weakest point. 

Could Judas have been disappointed with Jesus? Probably so. Like many, he was looking to Jesus to lead a revolt against the Roman government. It was obvious that Jesus did not have any intention of fulfilling any of Judas' wrong notion. The turn of events at Jerusalem told him that his idea of the Messiah was not going to be fulfilled in Jesus. So he turned traitor. To enrich himself at Jesus' expense, Judas joined league with those who plotted to kill Him. It blows one's mind to think that he was so near yet so far. For almost three years he walked with Jesus, yet his love for him had not developed a wee bit.

Psalm 41:9 is a messianic prediction. It says that "Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me." And this scripture was fulfilled in Judas. He consented to expose Jesus by pointing Him out from the crowd. We all need to beware of this Judas' inclination. To walk with Jesus is wonderful. Deepening our love for Him is more needful. The cross was the ultimate expression of His love. He stripped Himself of all the glory He had with the Father in eternity, to come and cleanse our sin and free us. Even though we may have failed Him so often, He still offers us His everlasting friendship. His arms are still widely stretched, just as He did on the cross. He still wants to draw us near, and to embrace us with His deep love. O, what marvellous grace! Just like the lyrics of a hymn that say:

O the deep, deep, love of Jesus,

Vast, unmeasured, boundless free.
Rolling as a mighty ocean.

In its fullness over me.

Oh that we will experience this deep, deep love of Jesus!