Tuesday, March 30th, 2021
Wishing you all a beautiful Tuesday —
As I read the devotional for today, Henri Nouwen provided some great insights to Jesus’ word (betray) in Greek. He explains that a better translation of “betray” would be “One of you will hand me over.”
The Greek word for “betray” is “paradidomi.” Strong’s Concordance says it means to surrender, that is, yield up, intrust, transmit.”
Paradidomi
I found this statement from Nouwen, very educational; “It is an important term (paradidomi), not only to express what Judas did, but also what God did. Paul writes, “… he did not spare his own Son, but ‘handed him over’ for the sake of all of us.” [Romans 8:32].(1). If we translate Judas’s action as “to betray” as applied to Judas, we do not fully express the mystery because Judas is described as being an instrument of God’s work. That is why Jesus said, “The Son of Man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for the man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed [handed over]” (Matthew 26:24).(2).
Another interesting thing that Nouwen points out is that at the betrayal of Jesus, his ministry takes a pivotal turn from action to passion. I have never made this connection until now and it so clear… Jesus’ ministry had been one of teaching, preaching, healing, and moving to wherever he wanted to go. Now that he has been handed over, now things are no longer done by him, but to him. Jesus is beaten, abused, stripped of his clothing, laughed at, spat upon, and nailed to a wooden cross. “Jesus, the passive victim, now subject to other people’s actions. From the very moment Jesus is handed over, his passion begins, and through this passion he fulfills his vocation. It is important to realize that Jesus fulfills his mission NOT by what he does, but by what is done to him.”(3).
The good news of all of this is that Jesus is handed over to PASSION, and through his PASSION accomplished his divine task on earth. That, my friends is good news for a world passionately searching for wholeness’
I am asking myself some hard questions:
🔘 “Am I ready to be handed over?”
🔘 “Am I ready to fulfill my mission and ministry?”
⛔️❓⛔️❓⛔️❓⛔️❓⛔️❓⛔️❓⛔️❓⛔️
How about you…
🔘 Is the Spirit calling out to you?
🔘 Are you ready to be handed over?
Nouwen interjects a Bible verse that was perplexing to me but after reading it several times along with his introduction of it, I think I now have a better understanding.
Jesus was speaking to Peter, it is about transitioning from action to passion, this too is for us if, we want to follow in the ways of Jesus.
Thank you for stopping by today. I appreciate your support. Blessings to you! 🙏🏻🌿💜❣️
🟩🔶🟩🔶🟩🔶🟩🔶🟩🔶🟩🔶🟩🔶🟩
Lenten M•I•C•R•O Practice for today:
~ Church Staff ~ Day 36
Lent and Holy Week are especially busy times for church staff. Pray for their well-being.
🌀💜🌀💜🌀💜🌀💜🌀💜🌀💜🌀💜🌀
🙏🏻 Prayer 🙏🏻
If you, O God, are for us
who can be against us?
Since you did not spare your own Son,
but gave him up for the sake of all of us,
then can we not expect that with him
you will freely give us all his gifts?
Are we not sure that it is Christ Jesus,
your Son, who died —
yes and more, who was raise from the dead
and is at God’s right hand —
and who is adding his plea for us?
— After Romans 8:31, 32, 34
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
References:
Show Me The Way — Henri J.M.Nouwen • 1992 The Crossroad Publishing
(1) Show Me The Way — Henri J.M.Nouwen • 1992 The Crossroad Publishing • Page 124, paragraph 2.
(2) Show Me The Way — Henri J.M.Nouwen • 1992 The Crossroad Publishing • Page 124, paragraph 3.
(3) Show Me The Way — Henri J.M.Nouwen • 1992 The Crossroad Publishing • Page 124, 125, paragraph 4, 1, 2, respectively.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/paradidomi.html
https://www.biblestudytools.com/concordances/strongs-exhaustive-concordance/
(NIV) New International Version Bible/Translation
(NRSVA) New Revised Standard Version Apocrypha
(NJBV) New Jerusalem Bible Version/Translation
HOPE SEEKER 
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