This is called Holy Week, and the very name begs us to consider holiness itself.
Holy Week is intended not only to remind us of Jesus' journey in that climactic week, but to prepare ourselves again to follow him.
Prepare yourself now in the words and thoughts ahead.
Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
Mark 14:10-11
Judas was getting ready too, preparing to betray Jesus to his enemies. Judas, you remember, was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples — a group of special friends called to help him spread the good news of God’s love.
For whatever reason (and there were many) Judas decided to work against Jesus and take money for it. He found a way to get Jesus arrested when no one was looking.
Holy Week reminds us that some people can be heroic, living and dying for their beliefs. It also reminds us that people can make terrible mistakes and make the wrong choices, often with horrible consequences.
We learn a lot about life from Jesus — and from Judas, too, don’t we?
Bill Leonard
O God, help me to think before I act. Help me to consider what my actions may cause. May my actions toward others help, and not hurt. Amen.
Prepared as you are,
Follow now your Lord,
Who goes ahead of you
To make ready the way,
To show you how to walk
This dark path.
Trust him to know where he leads you.