What Happened On That Wednesday?

Luke 21:37,38 - Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.

During the Passion week, Jesus taught his disciples and those who came to him during the daytime, and he’d spent the night on the Mount of Olives praying. To know specifically as to what happened on wednesday, let's read some scripture portions from the three gospels.

Matthew 26:14-16 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. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Mark 14:10,11 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Luke 22:3-6 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

The chief priest and the teachers of the law in Israel were plotting to kill Jesus.
Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one among the 12 disciples, and he’d been around Jesus when He taught and ministered to the crowd and in between he skipped from Jesus’ team and his meetings to discuss with the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard of how he might betray Jesus. A bargain was going on, and they agreed to give him thirty pieces of silver. Judas consented, and from then on, he watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. He also had arranged a signal with them:“The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.”  
 
Judas who walked with Jesus throughout his ministry healing the sick, driving out demons, raising the dead, performing  signs and wonders and preaching about the Kingdom of Heaven now turned against Jesus and agreed to betray him for 30 pieces of silver. 
We know that Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested on the Passover night. Afterward, Peter denies Jesus. One among the 12 betrayed Jesus and the other denied Jesus. Consequently, Judas was seized with remorse for betraying innocent blood and he hanged himself. In this way, he drifted away from Jesus forever without repenting. Conversely, even though Peter did a similar sin, he returned to Jesus and became a pre-eminent disciple. What and where is the difference?

Judas
It’s clearly stated that Satan entered Jesus. Why? Because he was a thief (John 12:6) and he had an open door for Satan to enter in his personality. He was the finance manager of Jesus’ ministry team, a lot of money came in as many gave money for Jesus’ and disciples’ travel and food expenses. 
Luke 8:1-3 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

However, Judas was the treasurer and he took money several times for his own expenses from what was actually set apart for the Lord’s ministry. He wrote false accounts. He had the sin of thievery in him and this opened a  door for satan to enter into him. 

Psalm 109:17 - He loved to pronounce a curse— may it come back on him. He found no pleasure in blessing— may it be far from him.

Judas may have even thought that he wasn't caught till date though he stole money and this time, he wasn't taking money from the money bag, but he was being given money for betraying Jesus. 
He may have even thought that if Jesus died, he would rise from the dead based on His teachings and parables. So anyways, Jesus' life is insured and he could make a profit of thirty silver coins by betraying the author of life. 

Though Judas walked with Jesus, he did not have true repentance and was a rogue. Since he continued in sin, Satan got a space in him. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. 


Peter
Peter lied that he didn't know Jesus, cursed, was hyper active and had many shortcomings in life, but he did return to Jesus. This is very important. We too may have many setbacks in life and ministry, but we can repent and come back. Any time we repent, Jesus is read to receive us. 
Judas had regret and remorse, but not repentance. Moreover that was not a godly sorrow, but worldly sorrow. Godly sorrow leads to repentance and life whereas worldly sorrow leads to self-destruction and death. 

Peter was a hyper and would say things bluntly. He was a born leader and a big businessman (fisherman); but he attempted to do things depending on his own strength and in the flesh. That’s where he failed: he depended on his flesh rather than on the Holy Spirit.

However, after Peter denied Jesus he moved out and wept bitterly. Later after Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared to the disciples by the sea of Tiberias Jesus asked Peter whether he loved Him three times and at this, he was completely broken. (John 21.15-19)

The difference between Judas and Peter: Though Judas walked with Jesus for three and half years, he had no love for Jesus. Love covers over a multitude of sins. In spite of all his weakness, shortcomings and sins, Peter fell in love with Jesus and his love redeemed him. 

This Wednesday, let me ask you, ‘do you really love Jesus?’ Check yourself: do you love the giver of life or what He’s gifted you in life? Let us all be careful to love the Giver more than the gift.

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Dr. Damien Antony
Born and brought up in a Christian family, Dr. Damien Antony possessed an unquenching quest for truth right from his boyhood days and eventually his relentless search led him to the Bible. He is a Revival Preacher, Bible Teacher, Leadership Trainer, Author and a Life Coach. He moves under the anointing for Prophetic, Healing, Deliverance, Inner Healing and Financial Breakthrough. God has also blessed him with an Apostolic Mandate to take the Universal Body of Christ to the next level of revelation and anointing.