Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 1 "Why Easter Matters"

This is the reading for Wednesday, 4/2.

Read: Matthew 26:21-25 (The Message)
During the meal, he said, "I have something hard but important to say to you: One of you is going to hand me over to the conspirators."  They were stunned, and then began to ask, one after another, "It isn't me, is it, Master?"  Jesus answered, "The one who hands me over is someone I eat with daily, one who passes me food at the table. In one sense the Son of Man is entering into a way of treachery well-marked by the Scriptures - no surprises here. In another sense that man who turns him in, turns traitor to the Son of Man - better never to have been born than do this!" Then Judas, already turned traitor, said, "It isn't me, is it, Rabbi?" Jesus said, "Don't play games with me, Judas."  

S: "In one sense the Son of Man is entering into a way of treachery well-marked by the Scriptures - no surprises here. In another sense that man who turns him in, turns traitor to the Son of Man - better never to have been born than do this!"  

O: It is clear here that Jesus is dismayed and somewhat angry. One of the people whom He trusted would turn against Him. Even though Jesus knew for a long time that this was what His fate would be. But somehow, I don't think He knew it would come about by one of His followers turning Him in. Jesus is saying that whoever betrays Him would wish he were never born. 

Can you imagine someone you trust with your life, betraying you? If you've had this happen, you know how hurt it makes you feel. Can you imagine how Jesus must've felt? Even though this fulfilled the prophecy, I would imagine Jesus was hurt down to His core. 

But imagine the guilt that Judas must've felt afterwards. He was a follower of Christ. He was one of His disciples. And here, for a pittance of money, turned Jesus over to be crucified. Was it really worth it? If I could talk to Judas today, that's exactly what I would say. Was it really worth it Judas? What did you get out of it? I bet Judas wished he were never born after that.

A: I've had my trust betrayed numerous times. But this last time has left me angry and hurt. You are always full of questions. Why? How could you? I hope you're happy with yourself Oh, I could go on and on. 

But remember this little phrase.."Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Wow. BUT there's one little phrase that seems to always get forgotten. "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" (Mark 15:34 The Message) Even Jesus had a moment of weakness when He thought that God had abandoned Him. 

Those are some tough emotions to wrestle with. And believe me, every single one of them is at war in my head. Everything from I hate you for what you did to I love you. 

Human emotions dictate how we handle things. But sometimes those emotions can be damaging. They can cloud our judgement. The Bible tells us we are to be level-headed and in charge of our emotion. I found this on a page from Joyce Meyer "First Peter 5:8-9 teaches us to be well-balanced and temperate (self-controlled)"

I need to get my emotions under control. I need to lose the anger and work on controlling how I feel. It's not going to change the situation. What's done is done. All we can do is move forward.

P: Lord Jesus, help me to remain even tempered. Help me to remove my anger and turn it into compassion. You asked Your Father to forgive those who persecuted You; if You can do that, then I can forgive those who have hurt me. I pray for peace in my soul and in my heart. And I pray for those who have hurt me. I pray all this in Your Holy Name. Amen.