Hey Bible readers, I'm Tara Lee Cobble, and I'm your host for the Bible Recap.

Today's reading is really similar to tomorrow's reading, so today we'll recap the first half,

then tomorrow will tackle the last half. Today, Jesus drops a bombshell on his

disciples. He says he's only got a few days to live. The authorities are already plotting it, in fact,

and are just waiting for the right moment. Judas knows they want to arrest Jesus, and he sees

an opportunity to make some cash from it if he can be the one to turn Jesus in. The religious

leaders arranged to pay Judas 30 pieces of silver for it.

Depending who you ask, this is anywhere from $200 to $2,000.

As soon as Judas gets the money, he starts finding an opportunity to make the betrayal happen.

There are a few noteworthy things about this section.

First, we see that God's will always comes to pass.

Second, we see that there are passive agents

and active agents involved in bringing his will to pass. The active agent here, Judas, has woe pronounced

on him. And while verse 24 tells us it would have been better for him if he hadn't been born,

his birth was necessary as a part of God's plan of redemption.

Some of you have a really compassionate heart and you feel sorry for Judas, and I'm so grateful

for your tender heart.

It's important to remember, though, that Judas got exactly what he deserved, what we all

deserve, in fact.

But Jesus did not get what he deserved.

As they sit down to dinner that night, Jesus makes

things awkward right off the bat by announcing that there's a betrayer at the table. They're all mortified

...