I invite you to relax your body. You might like to sit with your arms on your lap. If you wish you may like to close your eyes.
‘Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching.’
Imagine yourself as a pilgrim walking to Jerusalem in Jesus’ time. Your family has made the pilgrimage to celebrate the Passover meal, followed by the week-long Festival of Unleavened Bread to commemorate the barley harvest. Jerusalem is busy and bustling with thousands of others making preparations for the approaching feast. (Sound effect: crowds). You search out an unblemished lamb the correct size for your family, to remember God rescuing your ancestors from Egypt. You then stop at one of the many carts lining the street to purchase some flour to make unleavened bread to remember when your ancestors crossed the desert. How else will you prepare for the upcoming feast?
‘The chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.’
Jesus has been teaching in the temple, speaking against the chief priests and teachers of law. There is no longer any question in their mind of whether Jesus should be killed. The matter at hand is the way to get it done, ‘the how’ of destroying Jesus. Yet the chief priests must tread cautiously, for many people still hang on Jesus’ every word. Imagine sitting at Jesus’ feet in the temple, listening to him teach. What is he saying to you?
‘Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.’
Jesus resisted Satan’s temptations earlier in his ministry (Luke 4:1–13). ‘After the devil had finished all his tempting, he left Jesus until an opportune time.’ (Luke 4:13). The opportune time has now arrived, and Satan is ready. He enters Judas, possessing his body. There is a war between cosmic forces, between God and evil, which transcends mere human interests. In this war Satan enlists Judas, one of the Twelve, one of Jesus’ closest friends. Judas is someone Jesus trusts, so close they share bread together. But now he has turned away. Jesus has been rejected by his home town. Then his own people. Now one of the Twelve, one who he shares bread with! Have you ever been rejected? Do you feel alone? Jesus has walked this lonely path and promises to be with you in word and spirit. Imagine his presence with you right now.
‘And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.’
Judas turns away. He withdraws from Jesus’ company to the chief priests and temple guard. Imagine walking slowly away from a candle into the darkness. Judas discusses with them ‘the how,’ how he might betray Jesus, how he will hand over and deliver Jesus into their hands. In the dark, the enemies whisper. (Sound effect: whispering). The Psalmist writes: ‘All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me. Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.’ (Psalm 41:7,9).
‘They were delighted and agreed to give him money.’
There is joyful anticipation in the air for these enemies. They come to an agreement: two things are put side-by-side. Judas will give them one thing, and they will give him another. Judas will deliver Jesus into their hands, and they will deliver money into his. (Sound effect: coins). Likewise, on the cross, Jesus comes to an agreement: you hand over all your wrongs and brokenness to Jesus, and Jesus hands over his righteousness, his peace, his healing to you. Open both palms of your hands. Imagine your sin, wrongdoing, and brokenness filling your hands. Reach forward and empty your hands at the foot of the cross. Jesus has taken up your pain, borne your suffering, he was pierced for your wrongdoings, he was crushed for your sin. By his wounds you are healed (Isaiah 53:4–5). As you bring your hands back toward yourself, they are filled with Jesus’ love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and goodness. How does it feel to receive the agreement Jesus has made?
‘Judas consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.’
One group is making their preparations: Judas searches for an opportune time, a favourable season, to hand over Jesus. But Jesus is making his own preparations: Jesus prepares for the Passover meal. He knows the path he has been asked walk. He knows that the LORD is pleased with him, and that his enemy will not triumph over him. But in the meantime, his enemies whisper. What preparations can you see Jesus making in your life? During this time of Lent, how is Jesus preparing you?
Holy Spirit, in the confusion of my life, prepare me to contemplate the death and resurrection of Jesus. Help me receive his joy and peace. Amen.
