Little Billy lay in his bed, his head propped up on
his hand. His elbow giving him some elevation.
He wanted to be real comfortable for this night's Close-My-Eyes story.
Big Bill had told him it was about Judas and how Jesus knew Judas was going to betray Him.
Little Billy waited patiently for his father's arrival. He still could not figure
out how Jesus knew about Judas and why Jesus did not tell on Judas once He found out.
"Daddy, daddy," Billy shouted gleefully, as Big Bill entered the room.
"Are you sure you want to here some more about Jesus and Holy Week," Big Bill
asked. He already knew the answer to the question. He could see the eagerness
in Little Billy's face.
"Yes, yes, yes Daddy," Billy said breathlessly. "Tell me more about
Jesus and Judas."
"This night," Big Bill began, "They were having a meal together. They
did not sit at the table like we do. They lay down on the floor. Some times
they would lean on pillows, other times, they would lean on one another."
"Kewl," said Little Billy. "Can we eat like that to?"
"I don't think your mother would approve of us eating Jesus style," Big Bill
said smiling. But it was an interesting concept he thought to himself."
"The disciples, including Judas, were all gathered around Jesus," Big Bill
continued. "But they sense something was on his mind. He just did not seem to
be the same old Jesus, he appeared troubled.
"When asked what was the problem, Jesus told them one of them was going to betray
Him," Big Bill said.
"I know who," little Billy said in a conspiratorial tone.
"That's because you know the end of the story Billy," Big Bill said.
"I now am trying to explain to you what happened in the middle."
Big Bill could not help but smile at Little Billy's knowledge and curiosity.
"John, who everyone thought was Jesus' favorite disciple, was leaning on Jesus.
Peter was on the other side of the room. He asked John, since he was so close
to Jesus to ask Him who it was that would be betraying him.
"Jesus told John he was going to give His piece of bread to the betrayer.
This was part of a special tradition. You would take your piece of bread, dip
it in a bowl of juices, and then present it to someone as a token of love and
respect.
"Jesus did this and gave the bread, called a sop, to Judas."
"What did Judas do," Billy asked. "Did all the disciples
realize that Judas was the one that was going to betray Jesus."
Billy always had a thousand questions and usually, they were all good ones.
"No the disciples did not realize what was going on. But Jesus did learn
something when He passed the bread to Judas. That was a token of love but it
did not change Judas' mind as to what he was going to do. Jesus realized that Satan
was in control of Judas' life and there was nothing anyone could do to stop him from being
the betrayer," Big Bill explained.
"Was Jesus sad?" Little Billy asked.
"He was sad," Big Bill explained, "But he was accepting. He knew all
this had to happen for God's plan to be worked out. It only would be through Judas
betraying Him, and His death, that God could be glorified. And that once God was
glorified, Jesus would be resurrected and then too, the Son would be glorified.
"Jesus did not like the idea of a friend and a trusted companion betraying Him but He
knew it was going to happen." Big Bill explained.
Billy dropped his elbow and collapsed back into his pillow. A look of concern
crossed his face.
"What's wrong Billy," his father asked.
"Jesus was all alone although he was with His friends," Billy said.
"Nobody realized what was going to happen. Nobody knew who was going to
hurt Him. And although He told them He was going to die, I don't think they believed
Him," Billy explained.
"I think you just might be right," Big Bill said. He saw a little
tear running down Billy's face.
"Did the story make you sad," Big Bill asked.
"Judas made me sad," Little Billy answered. "I tried to imagine
Judas' face and all I could see was me. I thought about the times I did not say my
prayers. The times I did things that Jesus would not have liked. The days and
sometimes weeks I have gone without even thinking about him. I was the one who
betrayed Jesus," Billy sniffled.
"We all have fallen short of what God and Jesus would expect of us,"
Big Bill said trying to comfort Billy. "That is why Jesus went to the cross,
so our sins could be completely forgiven. He knows we all have betrayed Him at one
time or another, but he keeps on loving us, even when He is disappointed in us."
"I wish I were John right now," Little Billy said.
"Why Billy?," Big Bill asked.
"I think Jesus would be a lot more comforting to lean on right now than my
pillow," Little Billy said with a big smile crossing his face.
Billy kept thinking about what it would be like to be John. His mind's eye felt the
comfort of Jesus. He was so comforted, he did not even hear Big Bill slip away, or
the click of the switch, when his father turned out the light's. Little Billy's
dreams were centered in the bosom of Jesus and what a comfortable place he found that to
be.
