Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Luke 22:3-6 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. Matthew 27:47-50
As we have been following the story of the final week of Jesus’ Earthly ministry, we come to a point in the story that can raise many questions in our minds. How could Judas live within the inner circle for three years, witnessing countless miracles, but not recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah? Was it the love of money or the need for power and praise that caused Judas to betray Christ for a mere thirty pieces of silver? What kept the others from betraying Christ?
To understand Judas a little better we need to go back in the story a little, to about six days before the Passover. It is here the Gospel writers describe a scene that seems to be the breaking point for Judas.
The disciples are all gathered together in Bethany for a meal. In attendance are Lazarus, whom Jesus had recently raised from the grave, along with his sisters Mary and Martha. Mary, the more spiritually attuned sister, takes a large bottle of expensive perfumed oil and anoints Jesus with it. From the different accounts, she anoints His head and His feet with the oil. This was an intense display of her love and devotion for Jesus. But not all in the gathering are moved by her display. Judas leads a small group of disciples to murmur and chastise Mary for wasting precious resources. They were not able to see the beautiful display of worship happening before their eyes. Instead, the focus was on the physical, earthly value of the item. Jesus reprimands Judas and the others, “For you will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial.” (Matt 26:11-12)
Shortly after this event we are told, “Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the number of the twelve.” (Luke 22:3-4) We see Judas seeking out an evil plan. “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you? And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.” (Matt 26:15) “…and he sought and opportunity to betray him.” (Mark 14:11b)
For three years Judas walked with Jesus and the other apostles. He was in the audience to witness the many signs and wonders that Jesus performed. He would have also been included on the many intimate teaching sessions where Jesus taught the truth about God’s love, mercy, and grace. Somehow Judas missed the truth and instead believed his own false, zealous version of who he believed the Messiah to be. The false messiah so many today still put their faith. The one that brings earthly rule and earthly gain.
At the Last Supper when Jesus foretold that one of the inner circle was about to betray him, none of them quickly chose Judas as the culprit. In John we read, “Jesus said to him, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’ Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.”(John 13:27b-29). Evidently, he had fooled them all into trusting him and assuming he believed as they believed. Perhaps, for a time he had even convinced himself that he was a true follower of Christ. But something in the events of the last week broke open his façade.
Perhaps the words, “she has done it to prepare me for my burial” finally awakened Judas to the full reality that there would be no money, power, or prestige for Judas if he continued to follow Jesus. Jesus was not the man or Messiah that Judas had envisioned. Greed added to disillusionment is a very bitter pill to swallow. Judas had allowed his own evil nature to create a version of the Messiah, a false idol. Instead of accepting the actual Son of God who was right before him, Judas rejected Him and gave himself over to Satan and his own evil desires.
The story of Judas should make all Christians pause and reflect upon our own relationship with Jesus Christ. Do we, like Judas, look to Jesus as a means to obtain our own selfish desires? Have we truly denied self, crucified our own flesh, and acknowledged Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord? Do we desire to lavish worship upon Him or ourselves?
As always in Scripture, there is grace and mercy even in the low times. According to John 6:64, Jesus knew from the beginning that Judas was going to deceive and betray. Just hours before the betrayal occurs, Jesus humbles Himself and washes Judas’ feet. He could have chosen to exclude Judas from the Last Supper and the foot washings but instead, He included Judas right along with the other eleven. It is a beautiful example of what Paul says in Romans 5:8,
“but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
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