Jesus chose a group of men to train and teach, with the end goal that they would go preach His message. But He chose them, knowing that one of them was a devil, a betrayer, Judas Iscariot. While none of us want to follow falsely like Judas, he offers a caution, an opportunity to check our hearts and to take the opportunity to repent, an opportunity he ignored many times.
Like many of the others, we have few details about Judas. His surname, Iscariot, indicates he was from the town of Kerioth. From John 6:71, we know his father’s name was Simon, but that was an extremely common name and hardly distinguishes Judas. His heart and his actions did that.
Judas played his part perfectly.
John 12:6 tells us that Judas kept the group’s money, which means the other guys trusted him and had no reason to think Judas was anything but an earnest follower of Christ. At the Last Supper when Jesus announced one of the Twelve would betray Him, no one pointed a finger at Judas. Judas preached like the other guys. He voiced concern for the poor just like the other guys and it was all a show.
If we don’t want to be followers like Judas, we must ensure that we aren’t just playing a part when it comes to following Christ. Is our concern for the lost and for those in need empty or hollow? If it is, ask Jesus to help you see others the way He does.
Judas was greedy.
John not only tells us that Judas kept the money, but that he often dipped into the treasury. The fraud probably came to light after Judas’s death. He was horrified that Mary poured out a bottle of perfume over Jesus. In his mind there were better uses for money than charity or worship.
If we don’t want to be followers like Judas, we have to be generous stewards of the resources God entrusts to us. Our primary goal for our money should be advancing the kingdom and not our own ease and comfort. Do we have open hands or tight fists when it comes to money? Ask God to help you honor Him with your resources.
Judas wanted power.
Like so many others, Judas expected Jesus to get rid of the Romans and set up a kingdom. But he likely expected to have a key role in that kingdom, having proven his shrewd opportunism. However it seems that as it became apparent Jesus was establishing a completely different kind of kingdom, Judas became disillusion, bitter and vengeful. It’s easy to imagine him brooding about the perceived slights, about being misled, about the waste of time and opportunity. Finally, he takes the initiative and offers to betray Jesus to the Jewish leadership. So great is his frustration that he settles for a relatively small price for the act of treachery.
If we don’t want to be like Judas, we have to ask ourselves why we follow Jesus. Is it because of what we get or will get out of it? Or is it because He deserves our worship and obedience? Do we ever become aggravated or disappointed with Jesus and go looking to something else to satisfy those perceived needs? If so, confess that and ask God to help you get your priorities reset.
None of us will ever be the apostate Judas was. He holds a notorious place in the redemption story. He heard everything. He internalized nothing. Without the Holy Spirit’s transforming work, even the words of the Jesus Christ Himself are not enough to convince someone hardened against Him.
A sinful heart that wants its own way is not unique. As followers of Jesus, we must be on guard against attitudes and ideas that creep in and little by little chip away at our commitment to and relationship with Jesus. Like the other Eleven and the many others who have come before us, let’s deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Jesus.