Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings,
Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus
replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” – Matthew 26:48-49
The traitor, the betrayer and the evil
one sitting at the table next to Jesus at the Last Supper. We observe thousands of years later and still
look upon him with disdain and accusation for what he did to our Savior Jesus
Christ. What was behind his motivation
and decision to betray the Son of God?
Within the scriptures it clearly states in several passages that Satan
had entered into Judas (of Iscariot), and therefore provides the real
motivation behind his actions. Judas had
displayed worldly views throughout the writings of the Disciples. Greed, selfishness, stealing, covetness and murder;
just to name a few. All of these are
sins of this world, which led to Judas being prey to Satan’s control.
Jesus called Judas as a disciple though. Because He was all God and all man, He must have known from the time of this calling that Judas would serve a purpose later in His life. I propose that Judas, like many Jewish people at that time, was waiting for a King to come and save them from the persecution and oppression under Roman control at that time. When Jesus came upon him and asked him to follow, his mind must have immediately jumped to the conclusion. “This is it, this is the time we have been waiting for. Our freedom is at hand after all of these years.”
He acted as their treasurer, and condemned Mary’s use of expensive perfume to wash Jesus feet, and said “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” (John 12:5) His interests were in material things, not things of the kingdom of God. Based on his worldly view, I propose that Judas was looking for his self interest in being part of an overthrow of the Roman authority, and was excited to go along. At some point over the few years he walked with Jesus though, he came to realize that Jesus intentions were not an overthrow of this world’s authority and he took things into his own hands (or shall I say Satan took control). He negotiated a price for the head of Jesus Christ, with an intention of bringing the whole thing to an end. Satan used Judas to exercise his will in this world and to murder Jesus once and for all. For thirty pieces of silver, and with a kiss, Judas betrayed the Son of God. Satan’s work had been done, Judas was no longer needed. Regret sets in when Judas realizes what he has done. He gives back the thirty pieces of silver, and hangs himself.
Judas was called by the Son of God to follow Him. He had every opportunity possible to live a life serving God and helping others come to know Jesus Christ. But, he wanted the immediate satisfaction, the power himself, the fame and fortune that this world can bring. I then have to ask the hard question: How different are we?
We are given every opportunity to live a life for and to serve the almighty God, but we let our lives, our desires, our greed, selfishness and lusts get in the way. These sins of Judas, are they greater than our sins? Does not every sin take us farther from Christ, who is sinless and perfect, and bring us closer to a worldly view? Is Satan no longer alive in this realm and capable of turning a man’s heart away from God and towards the world? Was Judas just a weak man, unable to resist the temptations, and we are so much stronger today that temptations of this world are of no concern?
Perhaps, we are much more like Judas than we are like Jesus. That should concern each and every one of you reading this today. For you see, every sin, every temptation, every desire that draws you away from Christ, draws you closer to Satan. Judas had a purpose in God’s plan of salvation for mankind. He was to betray the Son of God, to set in motion the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. This was done once, so that our sins could be forgiven by His grace. But, make no mistake about it, sin is still sin, and is still of the world and therefor of the devil. Flee from it, resist temptation and turn toward the Lord, for we do not need another Judas.
Jesus called Judas as a disciple though. Because He was all God and all man, He must have known from the time of this calling that Judas would serve a purpose later in His life. I propose that Judas, like many Jewish people at that time, was waiting for a King to come and save them from the persecution and oppression under Roman control at that time. When Jesus came upon him and asked him to follow, his mind must have immediately jumped to the conclusion. “This is it, this is the time we have been waiting for. Our freedom is at hand after all of these years.”
He acted as their treasurer, and condemned Mary’s use of expensive perfume to wash Jesus feet, and said “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” (John 12:5) His interests were in material things, not things of the kingdom of God. Based on his worldly view, I propose that Judas was looking for his self interest in being part of an overthrow of the Roman authority, and was excited to go along. At some point over the few years he walked with Jesus though, he came to realize that Jesus intentions were not an overthrow of this world’s authority and he took things into his own hands (or shall I say Satan took control). He negotiated a price for the head of Jesus Christ, with an intention of bringing the whole thing to an end. Satan used Judas to exercise his will in this world and to murder Jesus once and for all. For thirty pieces of silver, and with a kiss, Judas betrayed the Son of God. Satan’s work had been done, Judas was no longer needed. Regret sets in when Judas realizes what he has done. He gives back the thirty pieces of silver, and hangs himself.
Judas was called by the Son of God to follow Him. He had every opportunity possible to live a life serving God and helping others come to know Jesus Christ. But, he wanted the immediate satisfaction, the power himself, the fame and fortune that this world can bring. I then have to ask the hard question: How different are we?
We are given every opportunity to live a life for and to serve the almighty God, but we let our lives, our desires, our greed, selfishness and lusts get in the way. These sins of Judas, are they greater than our sins? Does not every sin take us farther from Christ, who is sinless and perfect, and bring us closer to a worldly view? Is Satan no longer alive in this realm and capable of turning a man’s heart away from God and towards the world? Was Judas just a weak man, unable to resist the temptations, and we are so much stronger today that temptations of this world are of no concern?
Perhaps, we are much more like Judas than we are like Jesus. That should concern each and every one of you reading this today. For you see, every sin, every temptation, every desire that draws you away from Christ, draws you closer to Satan. Judas had a purpose in God’s plan of salvation for mankind. He was to betray the Son of God, to set in motion the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. This was done once, so that our sins could be forgiven by His grace. But, make no mistake about it, sin is still sin, and is still of the world and therefor of the devil. Flee from it, resist temptation and turn toward the Lord, for we do not need another Judas.
Be Blessed,
Rich
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