And Judas Iscariot
Mark 3:13-21

Judas’ kiss in the garden would not surprise Jesus. Everything Jesus said and did was with Gospel intentionality.

The death of Jesus was not Judas’ idea. Nor was it conceived by the Pharisees or Sadducees. “He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed…It was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief.” (Isaiah 53:5, 10)

The Gospel is the gracious conspiracy of the Trinity for our sake. The Father sent. The Spirit conceived. The Son came. What love!