Traitor!

For Sunday, September 28, 2025:

Mark 14:43 NLT: “Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders.”

So much is wrong in this scene that it’s hard to know where to start! Judas, the betrayer, was one of the trusted 12 who traveled with Jesus and ate their meals alongside him. They had all witnessed the lame walk again and the blind seeing following Jesus’ intervention. They had watched Jesus feed thousands with seemingly few resources. Most of all, he taught love and forgiveness, which was not the norm at that time!

Pharisees and religious teachers should have had no part in a murder plot (see commandment #6.) They were doing what they would counsel others to NOT do! They were going against their own value system. I’ve said many times that Jesus should have represented ‘Judaism, the next chapter,’ not a separate religion. After all, Jesus was teaching in the Temple! He was sent to earth by the Hebrew’s God. But this betrayal was not about God; it was about money and power. If worshipers were supporting Jesus, their tithes were not going to the Pharisees. (To get to the bottom of a conspiracy, just follow the money!)

Swords and clubs would not be needed to take Jesus into custody. If he were here today, he’d be labeled a Peace Activist. But the vast eternal plan was to have God’s Son be the sacrifice for the sins of the world. This conspiracy, resulting in Jesus’ demise, gave legs to God’s plan. Eventually Jesus died and mankind’s sins were forgiven for all time. One and done! No further sacrifice needed!

The bad guys played an important role in believers getting to experience life after this life. When it’s your turn, Jesus will welcome loyal believers with open arms!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship