The Plot To Kill Jesus

• Why did the Jewish leaders need one of Jesus’ closest friends to betray him?

• What do you think Judas Iscariot was like? Explain.

Then one of the Twelve — the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 26:14-15

The Jewish religious leaders had been trying to get rid of Jesus for a long time. But they were afraid of how his followers would react. So they waited for just the right opportunity. And Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples, gave it to them. He came to them and agreed to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. He led Jesus’ enemies straight to him and watched while they arrested him and led him away to be crucified.

Soon afterward, Judas had a change of heart and tried to give the money back. But it was too late. Matthew 27:5 reveals the sad end of his story: “So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.”

Judas may have thought he was the one responsible for Jesus’ arrest. But he just played a role in God’s plan. Jesus came to earth to die for our sins. Those plans were set when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3).

Judas didn’t cause Jesus’ death. We did. All of us. Our sin made it necessary for him to come to earth, live a sinless life and die as a sacrifice for us.

PRAYER
Dear God, forgive us for sin, the sin that made it necessary to sacrifice your Son in such a terrible way. Thank you for the forgiveness and salvation that we receive because of him. Amen.