God's Mercy Exceeds Judgement

 13.04.2022

Holy Wednesday, Matthew 26:47-50

*God's Mercy Exceeds Judgement*

"What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?", asks Judas (Matthew 26:14).

It is the question that sets in motion the act that will soon ultimately come to define his life. As Jesus agonisingly wrestles with his Father, and disciples lie exhausted around him, Judas Iscariot is seeking his moment. He is watching and waiting, the action of his betrayal approaching.

As Judas enters the garden that night, surrounded by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs (v.47), it is easy to feel angry toward him.

Here is a man who was called by Jesus and filled with power and authority (Luke 9:1). A man who gave up everything to follow the Messiah (Luke 6:16). A man who, for three years walked every road with Jesus; hearing his finest teachings (Matthew 5-7) and witnessing incredible, wide-ranging miracles (Mark 6:30-34, Luke 7:11-17). A man who was sent out with the other eleven to do these same incredible things (Luke 9:2). A man trusted to manage their money (John 12:6).

Yet, despite all of this: here he is now choosing to turn his back on the one who is the hope of all the world.

We ask ourselves, why would he do it? Greed? Disillusionment that Jesus wasn't the Messiah he grew up expecting? Fear for his future?

Whatever the reason he had and whatever anger we may have toward him it is safe to say, when Judas betrayed Jesus, he made the biggest mistake any man has ever made.

We live and worship Jesus in a world that seeks to draw us away from him with many distractions. They appear satisfying in the moment but we soon quickly discover, as Judas did with his bag of silver, that they are not.

And here is where we find incredibly good news for us. Though Judas succumbed and fell to his own desires, we live in the light of a Father's mercy: a mercy that is freely available to us no matter or past or how grievous our sin. A mercy that exceeds judgment and gives us a starting place as we seek to remain rooted in Christ, guarding our hearts through the treasure of his Word.

Rev. D. Godwyn PrasannaKumar

Pastor ALC