We Don't Like Being Wrong

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. (Luke 22:1-6 ESV).

 

There are those times where even our dog tells us we are going the wrong way. People don't take too kindly to being told they are wrong, not today and not in Jesus' day either. When someone confronts our decisions, or even worse, challenges the way we have chosen to live our lives, we are tempted to write them off as narrow-minded and intolerant. Usually we think it's fine for them to believe what they think is right, but they should leave us free to believe and live the way we think is right. The only trouble with that is we don't get to decide what's right and wrong. That’s way above our pay-grade. That decision is only the purview of God.

Our reading describes such a situation in Jesus’ life just before Passion Week. For many months Jesus has been confronting the Jewish religious authorities. They cling to a religion of works, human, rules and traditions by which they believe they earn blessings in this life and eternal life with God afterward. But Jesus knows better. He knows His Father in heaven is holy and perfect. God cannot simply overlook the wrongs we do. That would make Him unjust. But even though the Father is just and holy, He is also filled with grace, love and mercy. That is why He sent His own Son, Jesus, to save us.

But the Jewish leaders have rejected Jesus; and, they are pushing back hard against Him. Even so, Jesus won't go away. He keeps coming back again and again when all they want is to be left alone. So now this huge confrontation is looming. Jesus cares too much to leave the Jewish authorities in darkness. So He shows them their error by teaching them God's truth. But His words don't sit well with them. They reach the conclusion that He must be silenced. He must be put to death. Their problem is the vast crowds of people following Jesus. This brings the opportunity of Satan to “enter” into Judas Iscariot. Of course all of this is according to the plan and purpose of the Father. The point for us to remember is that God’s way is always correct. We would save ourselves much grief and disappointment to remember that truth in making our decisions. He is right… follow Him!