BETRAYED

Events leading to Calvary reveal why we often stab others in the back. The New Testament uses the same verb form for each person or group who sold out Jesus Christ to be crucified. It’s the Greek word “paradidōmi” (to “hand over” or “betray” or “deliver”). Judas “handed Him over” to the priests out of GREED (Matthew 26:14-16). The religious leaders “handed Him over” to Pilate out of ENVY (Matthew 27:17, 18; Mark 15:9,10). Pilate “handed Him over” to the soldiers out of COWARDICE and political AMBITION (Mark 15:15; John 19:12; Luke 23:22-25). The crowd “betrayed” or “denied the Just & Holy One” out of IGNORANCE (Acts 7:52; 3:14-17; Luke 23:13-23). But the worse form of betrayal is to do so in Jesus name!—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim