Characters of Passion Week: Judas

Our devotions this week are through the Passion accounts in the gospel of John. Today’s Bible passage is John 18:1-11, when Judas betrays Jesus. While Peter wants to put up a fight, we see Jesus does the exact opposite.

Our InterHigh ministry made special devotions, which feature artwork on the different characters, so you’ll find that beneath some thoughts from Rachel, one of the Element:

Today, I was hit with a new appreciation for Jesus. In v. 4, it says that “Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to him, went out and said to them, ‘Who is it that you’re seeking?’” and that He would “drink the cup the Father has given [him]” (v. 11). This cup would be the suffering of the cross He would take for us. Jesus knew how hard the coming days would be, being abandoned by his friends and experiencing so much pain, but He still decided to obey God. When God asks me to do something like love someone who ignores me or forgive someone who hurt me, I often have excuses like, "I don't want to" or "that's too hard." But Jesus didn't make those kinds of excuses, even though what He went through so much harder than anything God has ever asked me to do. Hebrews 12:4 says, "In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” I haven't struggled to the point where I started bleeding, like Jesus did. I know Jesus went through the same emotions and still chose to obey God, and I am challenged by His example, and thankful for his costly sacrifice.