“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…
“[Jesus] said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer… ‘ And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!..’
“While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?'” Luke 22:3-6,15,19-22,47-48
Judas, who had spent three years following and sharing fellowship with Jesus, broke faith with and betrayed Him, proving the crack in his own heart. Such deliberate rebellion, borne out in knowledgeable, insidious rejection, sealed his eternal fate. Representing fallen man who rejects the Savior, Judas refused the salve and forgiveness Jesus offered, even when confronted, and so died without hope.
Only the broken body of Christ makes the way for repair. The broken, perfect law of the Father foretold the broken, perfect body of the Son. He is moved to compassion by our lost estate, and gave His all to save us. He pledges a new heart when we receive His sacrifice by faith, redeeming the broken, making us a new creation. (Ezekiel 36:26; Matthew 9:36; 23:37; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
“No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)
Where have we broken faith with our Lord? Perhaps we have never understood the error of our proclivities nor had a broken heart over our heinous sin against Him. When will we get serious about listening to the Spirit’s conviction, and repent of our sins? (2 Samuel 12:13; Jeremiah 17:9)
Perhaps we have acknowledged Him in the past, and yet wearied or grown lazy in devotion. What have we allowed to chisel cracks in our faithfulness? Are there particular areas of idolatry, greed, temper, deception, bitterness, ingratitude, or impatience that have broken communion with Him? Look to His breaking heart, His broken body, and find forgiveness and healing!
“What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered
was all for sinners’ gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
‘Tis I deserve Thy place;
look on me with Thy favor,
vouchsafe to me Thy grace.” ~St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Lord, break my heart with what breaks Yours, unto confession, forgiveness, and Your high praise.
As the rain and snow 