The Suffering Servant, Betrayal, and the Redemption Plan
March 27, 2024 - Wednesday of Holy Week
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34; Matt. 26:14-25
Psalm 69, often titled ‘A Lament of an Innocent Person,’ illustrates the servant of God enduring insults for God’s sake. Despite his innocence, he becomes the subject of gossip and drunken songs (see Ps 69:13). The theme of innocent suffering is also found in the third song of Isaiah focusing on God’s servant (Is 50:4-9), featured in the first reading. The servant bears his suffering with patience, trusting in God to uphold his innocence (see Is 50:7-8).
Both the psalmist and Isaiah grapple with the reality of persecution, suffering, and death for the sake of God. The Gospel introduces another unsettling element: the idea that those closest to us can contribute to our suffering for Christ and His Gospel. During their journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, Jesus foretells three times that he will be handed over to the authorities. The shocking revelation that one of the Twelve will betray him adds to the intensity of the narrative.
The mention of “thirty pieces of silver” in Matthew serves as a poignant connection to the prophet Zechariah 11:12-13, where the same amount is offered to a shepherd abandoned by his flock, symbolizing the rejection of the covenant with God. This paltry sum underscores Judas' failure as a close disciple of Christ.
Jesus interprets Judas' betrayal as a component of God's salvific plan: “The Son of Man is indeed going away as it is written about him.” However, this does not absolve Judas of the responsibility he bears for betraying Jesus Christ. John attributes the inception of Judas' betrayal to Satan, akin to God's caution to Cain before he murdered his brother: "sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is toward you, but you must rule over it" (Gen 4:7). Like Cain, Judas succumbs to the allure of sin and meets a tragic end: "woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed” (Matt 26:24).
The suffering servant in Isaiah foreshadows Christ, who endures betrayal and suffering. Psalm 69 is often quoted in the New Testament and the phrase, “the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me” (Ps 69:10; see Rom 15:3), is applied by Saint Paul to the sufferings of Jesus Christ. Judas' actions, foreknown by Jesus, fell under God's overarching plan for salvation.
The suffering experienced by the servant, the psalmist, and ultimately by Jesus, becomes a poignant thread woven into the fabric of God's redemptive story. In this tapestry of suffering and betrayal, the promise of deliverance and the certainty of God's plan shine through, offering hope and redemption to all who endure tribulation in the journey of faith.