Thursday, February 18, 2016
Matthew 26:16 From then on Judas watched for a good time to hand him over.
A GOOD TIME
A "good time?" When would there ever be a good time to betray Jesus and deliver Him? Judas thought a good time to start looking was when Jesus was coming between him and the money he would like to get his hands on, as though Jesus had taken something away from him. And it was after the chief priests had measured out thirty pieces of silver to him that Judas was looking for an opportunity to trade in the Master who didn't let him have all the money he wanted.
When would be a good time to give up the hopes and fears of all the years? Luke tells us that Judas looked for a time when no one was looking; a time when he could still look good in the eyes of others.
And when we feel that He has taken something from us -- earthly pleasures perhaps, prestige or even money -- and told us to trust Him? Many have thought that a good time to give up Jesus, who only blesses us with redemption, forgiveness, eternal life, and every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. What do you think?
When would be a good time to betray Jesus? When no one is looking? Should we avoid all contact with Christ and His Word, so that when we deliver Him up as worthless, we won't hear anything to the contrary? Or maybe a good time would be when He doesn't perform for us? "If God were really love, He would ..." -- Thank God that for no loss which He endured, not even pain and death, did Jesus ever think it a good time to deliver us up!
