Fri.’s Devo - Jesus’ Betrayal

Read: Exodus 30:11-31:18; Matthew 26:47-68; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 8:27-32 Whenever the children of Israel took a census, they were first to let every man ransom or buy back their soul. To count the people was to judge them as in the last judgment. If they didn’t pay the ransom price there would be a plague like the time David counted the people in 2 Samuel 24. Everyone was to pay the exact amount, rich or poor, because God values all people the same. A huge bronze basin was to be put next to the brazen altar so that the priests could purify themselves before they entered the sanctuary. Incense mixed with olive oil was to be made for the incense altar made by an apothecary. With it, the priest were to anoint all the instruments and furniture in the tabernacle. Aaron and his sons were to be anointed by this special oil. The incense and the special oil was not to be copied by the people and used for ordinary use or that person would be cut off from the people. God chose Bezaleel to fill with his spirit to make all the things for the tabernacle. His name means “the shadow of God”. Oholiab was to be his assistant. His name means “tent of his father”. Moses reminded the people to keep the Sabbath as a holy day set apart for the Lord. They were to completely rest and dedicate that day to the Lord. All of this God spoke to Moses in the mountain and wrote them with his finger on two tablets of stone. In Matthew, Judas met Jesus on the mountain where he was praying and betrayed him with a kiss. Peter (John 18:10) grabbed one of the swords of the Roman officers that accompanied Judas and cut off the right ear of the servant of the high priest. Luke 22:51 tells us that Jesus touched his ear and healed him. Jesus was then led to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest where the teachers and elders of the religious order were assembled. Peter followed them and sat with the guards to see what would happen. False witnesses were called in but none of their testimony stood until one stood up and told the truth. Jesus had said that he was able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days. Then they cried “blasphemy” and began to beat Jesus and mock him. Jesus was not killed because of a lie, but because of the truth. They were responsible for their actions. Lord, may we discern the truth and love it. Even if we do not understand it, may we walk in your truth.