They call it Maundy Thursday, a day that commemorates The Lord's Supper - the last meal that Jesus had with His disciples. It was also the day when, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for the sake of money. It is difficult to imagine that anyone who walked around with Jesus, witnessing His love and the incredible miracles, could ever turn against Jesus in such a way. But he did, and we should always be aware that not everyone who claims to walk with God, are genuine. Over the years, such people have split churches, marriages and ruined ministries. This is why Peter said in 1 Peter 5:8, Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.' This is not said in order to make people paranoid, not at all, but in order for people to be alert and on guard.
After the supper and after Jesus had washed the disciples feet - including Judas', which really shows us Jesus' heart, to wash the feet of someone He knew was going to betray Him, Jesus led them to Gethsemane so they could pray in the garden.
The anguish that Jesus suffered here is so evident. His disciples couldn't stay awake to support Him even though He had asked them to. Furthermore, He urgently asked His Father if He had to do this or was there another way. The pressure on Him was so enormous that an angel appeared from heaven to strengthen Him. Take a look at verse 44:
And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.'
It may have been that Jesus was sweating profusely that it fell like drops of blood. However, there have been occurrences of traces of blood in people's sweat in times of great anguish.
Whatever was happening here, Jesus was in anguish. And then to top it all up, as they were leaving the garden, a multitude approached and Judas came up to Jesus and kissed Him - a sign that this was their man. The betrayal was complete. Jesus was arrested on trumped up charges and taken to the high priest's house for questioning.
When you think that you're having a bad day, consider what Jesus went through for each one of us. The anguish, the hurt of being betrayed, the false arrest and this was only the beginning. There was much more to come.
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
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