Chapter 6—The Passover Supper
The scribes and priests now counseled together how they might
take Jesus without raising a tumult among the people; for many of
those who witnessed his mighty works believed him to be the prophet
of the Most High, and would have been greatly incensed at any attempt
upon his liberty. So the dignitaries decided that open violence would
not be good policy, but that treachery must serve their purpose.
Judas, one of the twelve, proposed secretly to betray Jesus into
their hands, by leading them to one of the Saviour’s resorts for prayer
and retirement. In this quiet place they could make sure of their prey,
for there would be no multitude to oppose them. Judas, ever greedy for
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gain, made a contract with the priests and rulers to betray his Master
into their hands for thirty pieces of silver. The Lord of life and glory
was sold to ignominy and death by one of his disciples for a paltry
sum of money.
The heart of Judas had not suddenly grown thus base and corrupt.
His love of mammon, like any vice which is left unchecked, had
daily grown stronger, until it overbalanced his love for the Saviour,
and he had become an idolater. His mind had become debased by
covetousness; and a man who is enslaved by avarice is in danger of
going to any lengths in crime.
Judas, with the rest of the twelve, had been privileged to listen
to the teachings of Jesus, and to witness his acts of sacrifice for the
benefit of men. He had noted his forbearance and patience; that when
weary, hungry, and pressed upon by the multitude of poor and afflicted,
he had pitied their cries and turned none away unrelieved. Judas had
seen him perform miracles in giving health to the dying and joy to
the despairing. He himself had felt in his person the evidences of
his divine power. But when men reject light, and blindly follow their
natural inclinations, they are led into darkness, and the plainest facts
are unheeded. Judas was naturally avaricious, and he had fostered this
evil propensity until it had become the ruling motive of his life.
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