Matthew 26:47–56

Be Still: Lord, quiet the noise within me that I may hear your voice. Amen

Read: Matthew 26:47–56

Judas said, 'Greetings, Rabbi! and kissed him. Jesus replied, 'Do what you came for, friend.' (vv 49-50)

Encounter:   ‘I’m going back to Birmingham tomorrow, Gramps.’

‘That’s nice. I’m going to heaven.’

That was my final interaction with my grandfather, 24 hours before he passed away. Though sometimes I'm sad (I miss him), the memory of that exchange brings encouragement. Birmingham cannot compete with the golden streets of glory! One day I'll join him.

Someone's final words echo in the ear in a way other words don't.

Our verse records the last staggering words Jesus speaks to Judas, his betrayer.

Judas had agreed to mark Jesus out to the Roman guards, with a 'brotherly' kiss. Jesus says, ‘Do what you have come to do…’ and adds his final word to his betrayer: ‘Friend.’

Jesus does not ridicule or condemn Judas. He doesn’t let rip and call him out for the abominable act he is undertaking. He doesn’t seize the opportunity to give Judas a piece of his mind - or maybe that is what he is doing? Jesus’ final word to Judas was an invitation to friendship - as if to say, even after all you’ve done, if you come to me, you will find a friend.

Jesus, heartbroken, knew the remorse Judas would feel hours later and that the enemy would convince Judas he was beyond redemption. 

As we come to Jesus today, whatever we have done, the last word Judas heard becomes the first we hear. He calls us friend.

Apply: Do you feel distant from Jesus because of regret, failure, or guilt. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to hear his voice today. Take a moment to receive the truth that, no matter what you have done, he calls you friend.

Devote: Jesus, thank you that your first word to me is the same as your last word to Judas: friend. Help me to hear it, believe it, and live in the freedom it brings. Teach me to extend your grace to others as you have extended it to me.