Thank God for Grace

The Lenten reading for today is Mark 14:12-26 that talks about the last meal Jesus shared with His disciples.

And every time we celebrate the Lord's Supper, it just blows my mind that Jesus knew all about Judas.

• Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him that evening.
  
• Jesus knew that Judas had already made arrangements with the chief priests and the Roman soldiers.
  
• Jesus knew all this and yet still offered to Judas what's been offered to every single Christ-follower since - grace.

Even to the last moment, as Jesus passed the bread and said, "This is my body broken for you, do this in remembrance of me," He was saying to Judas, "You don't have to do this. You can say no. You can make a different decision."

And as Jesus passed the cup and said, "This is the blood of the new covenant poured out for the forgiveness of sins," Jesus was reminding Judas, "Remember Judas, I will forgive you for all sins. You just have to remember me, and remember to ask for forgiveness."

We think Judas is some hideous monster for betraying Jesus. And yet, we do the same thing every time we reject God's best way and choose our own way. We do that every time we think we know better than God. The truth is Jesus died for us as much as He died for Judas. That's grace.

And this grace is offered to all who will receive grace. For we need grace just as much as Judas. It's our sins Christ died for. And it's our punishment He bore.

Thank God for grace!