envelop spinner search close plus arrow-right arrow-left facebook twitter

The Week That Changed The World Devotional March 12

by David Joynt on March 12, 2024


MARK 14:10 | 10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.

The Pharisees and chief priests needed a collaborator to make their clandestine plan to arrest Jesus work. They found him in Judas.

 

Judas has lent his name ever since, to the idea of betrayal. To be a “Judas” is to sabotage the life or fortune of someone to whom you owe love and loyalty. Jesus had chosen Judas and loved him. He had equipped him for ministry and given him opportunities and responsibility. Judas had seen Jesus’ miraculous acts of healing and power and had heard His wonderful teaching. For three years of his life, Judas had personally witnessed the most amazing leader in our world’s history. Yet, he sold Him out.

 

We’ll look at some reasons for this but we must acknowledge the essential mystery and irrationality of human betrayal and rebellion.

 

Why do you think Judas betrayed Jesus?

 

 

Gracious God,

Save us from impetuous acts, irrational deeds, and terrible betrayals. Lead us around temptation. 

Amen.

 

About the Author
David Joynt

Dave Joynt began his service as a pastor at Valley Presbyterian Church in Paradise Valley, Arizona in September 2014. This meant a move away from the Northeast, where he has a long history, growing up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and then serving congregations in Delaware and New Jersey for a total of 23 years.

Dave was nurtured in a great church in Bethlehem where his parents, Anne and Carey, served as elders. He graduated in classics from Lehigh University where his Father taught, and then from Oxford, where he met his wife Julia. Ordained in 1988, he completed a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1993.

He and Julia have a son, Tristan, and a daughter, Madeleine.

More from Pastor Joynts Devotionals

return to Pastor Joynts Devotionals