Early Writings
by Ellen G. White
The Betrayal of Christ
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I was carried down to the time when Jesus ate the Passover
supper with His disciples. Satan had deceived Judas and led him to think that
he was one of Christ's true disciples; but his heart had ever been carnal. He
had seen the mighty works of Jesus, he had been with Him through His ministry,
and had yielded to the overpowering evidence that He was the Messiah; but Judas
was close and covetous; he loved money. He complained in anger of the costly
ointment poured upon Jesus. Mary loved her Lord. He had forgiven her sins,
which were many, and had raised from the dead her much-loved brother, and she
felt that nothing was too dear to bestow upon Jesus. The more precious the
ointment, the better could she express her gratitude to her Saviour by devoting
it to Him. Judas, as an excuse for his covetousness, urged that the ointment
might have been sold and given to the poor. But it was not because he had any
care for the poor; for he was selfish, and often appropriated to his own use
that which was entrusted to his care to be given unto the poor. Judas had been
inattentive to the comfort and even to the wants of Jesus, and to excuse his
covetousness he often referred to the poor. This act of generosity on the part
of Mary was a most cutting rebuke of his covetous disposition. The way was
prepared for Satan's temptation to find a ready reception in the heart of
Judas. {EW 165.1}
The priests and rulers of the Jews hated Jesus; but
multitudes thronged to listen to His words of wisdom and to witness His mighty
works. The people were stirred with the deepest interest and anxiously followed
Jesus to hear the instructions of this wonderful teacher. Many of the rulers
believed on Him, but [166] dared not confess their faith
lest they should be put out of the synagogue. The priests and elders decided
that something must be done to draw the attention of the people from Jesus.
They feared that all men would believe on Him. They could see no safety for
themselves. They must lose their position or put Jesus to death. And after they
should put Him to death, there would still be those who were living monuments
of His power. Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, and they feared that if
they should kill Jesus, Lazarus would testify of His mighty power. The people
were flocking to see him who was raised from the dead, and the rulers
determined to slay Lazarus also, and put down the excitement. Then they would
turn the people to the traditions and doctrines of men, to tithe mint and rue,
and again have influence over them. They agreed to take Jesus when He was
alone; for if they should attempt to take Him in a crowd, when the minds of the
people were all interested in Him, they would be stoned. {EW 165.2}
Judas knew how anxious they were to obtain Jesus and offered
to betray Him to the chief priests and elders for a few pieces of silver. His
love of money led him to agree to betray his Lord into the hands of His
bitterest enemies. Satan was working directly through Judas, and in the midst
of the impressive scene of the last supper, the traitor was devising plans to
betray his Master. Jesus sorrowfully told His disciples that all of them would
be offended because of Him that night. But Peter ardently affirmed that
although all others should be offended because of Him, he would not be
offended. Jesus said to Peter: "Satan hath desired to have you, that he
may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and
when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:31,32. [167]
{EW 166.1}
I beheld Jesus in the garden with His disciples. In deep
sorrow He bade them watch and pray, lest they should enter into temptation. He
knew that their faith was to be tried, and their hopes disappointed, and that
they would need all the strength which they could obtain by close watching and
fervent prayer. With strong cries and weeping, Jesus prayed, "Father, if
Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine,
be done." The Son of God prayed in agony. Great drops of blood gathered
upon His face and fell to the ground. Angels were hovering over the place,
witnessing the scene, but only one was commissioned to go and strengthen the
Son of God in His agony. There was no joy in heaven. The angels cast their
crowns and harps from them and with the deepest interest silently watched
Jesus. They wished to surround the Son of God, but the commanding angels
suffered them not, lest, as they should behold His betrayal, they should
deliver Him; for the plan had been laid, and it must be fulfilled. {EW 167.1}
After Jesus had prayed, He came to His disciples; but they
were sleeping. In that dreadful hour He had not the sympathy and prayers of
even His disciples. Peter, who was so zealous a short time before, was heavy
with sleep. Jesus reminded him of his positive declarations and said to him,
"What, could ye not watch with Me one hour?" Three times the Son of
God prayed in agony. Then Judas, with his band of armed men, appeared. He
approached his Master as usual, to salute Him. The band surrounded Jesus; but
there He manifested His divine power, as He said, "Whom seek ye?"
"I am He." They fell backward to the ground. Jesus made this inquiry
that they might witness His power and have evidence that He could deliver
Himself from their hands if He would. {EW 167.2}
The disciples began to hope as they saw the multitude [168]
with their staves and swords fall so quickly. As they arose and again
surrounded the Son of God, Peter drew his sword and smote a servant of the high
priest and cut off an ear. Jesus bade him to put up the sword, saying,
"Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently
give Me more than twelve legions of angels?" I saw that as these words were
spoken, the countenances of the angels were animated with hope. They wished
then and there to surround their Commander and disperse that angry mob. But
again sadness settled upon them, as Jesus added, "But how then shall the
Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?" The hearts of the
disciples also sank in despair and bitter disappointment, as Jesus suffered
Himself to be led away by His enemies. {EW 167.3}
The disciples feared for their own lives, and they all
forsook Him and fled. Jesus was left alone in the hands of the murderous mob.
Oh, what a triumph of Satan then! And what sadness and sorrow with the angels
of God! Many companies of holy angels, each with a tall commanding angel at
their head, were sent to witness the scene. They were to record every insult
and cruelty imposed upon the Son of God, and to register every pang of anguish
which Jesus should suffer; for the very men who joined in this dreadful scene
are to see it all again in living characters. {EW 168.1}
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