Holy Thursday - The Betrayal of Christ

On Holy Thursday, we contemplate the betrayal and arrest of our Lord Jesus Christ. In an act of the most terrifying treachery, Judas Iscariot, one of the Lord’s original Twelve Apostles, accepted a payment of 30 silver coins from the high priests to deliver Him to them.

And so, upon receiving the Body and Blood of Christ at the Mystical Supper, Judas left immediately to summon an entourage. Meanwhile, Christ and His other disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane, and here He contemplated in agony, sorrow, and distress the suffering and death which awaited Him.
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Since Christ and His disciples frequently visited the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas knew He would be at this place. So just after Christ prayed and obediently accepted the will of His Father, Judas appeared with a band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, who came with torches, swords and clubs.

Judas had preciously given them a sign saying, “Whomsoever I shall kiss, He is the One; seize Him” (Matthew 26:48). And so immediately, he went up to Christ and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.