John 18:1-9
1When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.
2Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
4Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
5″Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”
And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8″I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me
Related Text:
Genesis 37
Matthew 26:47-56
Mark 14:43-50
Luke 22:47-54
John 6:35-40
John 17:1-12
Commentary
Judas (also known as Judas Iscariot) was one of the original disciples of Jesus; one of the main twelve. His primary job was to oversee money, but he is most widely known for his betrayal of Jesus.
He was a greedy man who deserted his commitment to Jesus. Judas led a crown of officers to arrest Jesus for money,for 30 pieces of silver. After Jesus was crucified, Judas felt awful and repented – giving back the money to the spiritual leaders who had hired him. Later, in his grief, Judas hung himself.
Unfortunately, even those guys closest to Jesus didn’t completely follow Him and change the way they lived their lives. The story of Judas is a reminder to all of us that we need to keep our eyes focused on Jesus! We musy be careful not to get “bribed” into quitting on our commitment that we made to Jesus when we accepted him as our Lord and our Savior. Don’t get conned into betraying the One who dies for you.
