Who is Jesus? Chapter 43 Jesus Reveals the Time of His Crucifixion is Near.

 

Thirty Pieces of Silver

Who is Jesus? Chapter 43

 Jesus Reveals the Time of His Crucifixion is Near.

When Jesus had finished teaching the crowds in the temple, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the feast of the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

Now his disciples heard those words “to be crucified,” but they did not understand that Jesus would soon die like a lamb brought to the slaughter at the Passover feast, so they sloughed off his words.

Isn't that like many of us when we know that down deep in our inner person, the Holy Spirit is speaking to us, and we choose to not pay attention and go our own stubborn way? Often Jesus is saying, “Come Closer,” because He wants to share something intimate and special with you.” Are you listening?

You will remember the celebration of the Passover was a reminder of how the Children of Israel were delivered from their slavery in Egypt. The final plague of the 10 plagues was; the death angel would pass over the land and all the first born of humans and of animals would die, except in the place where the children of Israel lived.

The Israelite's were instructed to kill a perfect lamb, to save the blood in a bowl and to use hyssop to strike the blood over the sides and top of the door of each home. Then they were to have a meal of roast lamb as they prepared to leave Egypt. When the death angel came at midnight to kill the first born, the angel would “Pass Over” every home that was protected by the blood of the lamb.

Jesus knew that He was to fulfill the prophesies of the prophets and that He was to become the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world. Only Jesus was holy enough to become this sacrifice, because His blood was supernatural and was from His Father God. You will remember that Jesus was born of a virgin by a miracle of the Holy Spirit and his real father, was God, causing his blood to be holy.

Now the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together how they might arrest Jesus by trickery and kill him. But they said, “Not during the “Pass Over” feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

Then one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.   And from that moment Judas waited for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

You may wonder why one of Jesus close followers would betray Jesus? First Judas was thinking of the money, because he loved money more than he loved Jesus. He was also a politician and having the praise of the Religious leaders made Judas feel important. But again, he hoped that Jesus would escape, and all would be well, and he would be so much richer.  Judas and the other disciples had often been there when Jesus disappeared from a crowd as the people were attempting to throw Him over a cliff, so this was what Judas thought would no doubt happen. Judas was hoping that Jesus would escape and be safe, and that he, Judas would keep his ill-gotten gain.

Friend, there are many today who are betraying Jesus, by turning their back when Jesus calls them to come and follow me. They are thinking that all will be well, and they can have their cake and eat it too. Many are caught up in fun, entertainment and having a “good time.” They think, tomorrow, I will receive Jesus and later, I will serve Him and live for Him, just not today - - Many say this not realizing tomorrow may not come for them. Those who act this way are actually grieving the Holy Spirit who is calling them to invite Jesus today into their heart and into their lives.

The sad thing is many do not understand that they may not have tomorrow to make their decision to accept Jesus. Today is a good day to follow Jesus, and if you have not already made that choice, please do not delay inviting Jesus to come into your life. 

 If you already know Jesus, then simply draw a bit closer.