Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He was the only one from Judea, while others were from Galilee is what we understand from reading the Bible. Just like the other eleven disciples Jesus chose Judas too to spread the Good News among people. The early life of Judas with Jesus was good we can believe. Seeing that he had more potential than others must have made Jesus to make him the keeper of the money. How could Judas stoop down to such a low level even after living and traveling with Jesus, experiencing His grace and love and having understood that He is the Savior who has come to save the world??? Why did Judas become disloyal to the master??? We can see three things here:
1.Greed for wealth: We can see this as one of the reasons that made Judas betray the trust of Jesus. Must have been so. He dealt with the Roman government. They were ready to pay/give him anything he wanted to trap Jesus. Judas agreed to the price of a slave, mere 30 pieces of silver. Matthew 26:15, 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. So we can agree that it was greed for wealth because, John 12: 5-6, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. Here we can see that he was angry when the sinful lady washed Jesus’ feet with perfumed oil. He only saw money being wasted and not her love and repentance. Whatever be the reason it can be clearly understood that Stan had made home inside him. John 6:70-71, 70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)
2.Fear and selfishness: It is mentioned that Judas was Caiaphas’ nephew. If this is true then he had all means to know the inside news and plots of the Roman government. He was afraid that being one of Jesus’ disciples he too would be prosecuted like Jesus. To make himself safe and secure he tried to please the authorities. Being fully aware that Jesus was Son of God, Judas believed that Jesus would become the king of Jews. Hence he would be appointed the duty of handling finance was what he believed.
3. His belief in Jesus’ powers: Judas had witnessed many miracles and healing during his stay with Jesus.So he believed that Jesus could never be captured or prosecuted by anyone. But when he saw that his judgement was wrong, Jesus had not come as king of Jews to rule but to save the world with His sacrifice. When Judas understood his mistake, Matthew 27:3, 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. Judas had become blinded by the wealth of this material world. He had understood late that Jesus had taken birth not to become a king in this world. Jesus had repeatedly tried to make His disciples see this truth.
Luke 9:21-23, 21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Judas was very aware of the patient and forgiving nature of Jesus, yet he did not come to His feet to ask for repentance. Matthew 27:5, 5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
Acts 1:18-19, 18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
At the Passover feast, hours before Judas was to betray Jesus to the Romans, He ate with him and even washed Judas’ feet. Even at that moment he felt no remorse or guilt for what he was about to do. Judas was one of the people whom we could have respected, but look at his downfall, how shameful.
Till now we have been calling Judas as a betrayer. But think, isn’t there a Judas within each one of us?? In our daily lives, like Judas, in our personal life, family life and professional life, we act and behave to please. Aren’t we also pretenders??? PAUSE. Think. Introspect. 2000 years ago the Romans nailed Jesus in the hands and feet. But aren’t we daily with our wrong thoughts, words and deeds nail Him daily??? Don’t we crucify Him daily??? Instead of being weak and falling prey to Satan like Judas, let us fall to Jesus’ feet and seek His refuge. He will hold close to Him with his hands that were nailed for us.
Heavenly father called out Adam by his name when he fell prey to the trap of Devil.Today He is calling out our names. No matter what clothes we make for ourselves they are not enough. Seek His refuge in whichever condition you are. Today ask Him, How do you love me Lord??? And He will respond to you with open arms that were nailed for you, and say THIS MUCH. Run to Him and escape from becoming another Judas.
Jehovah Roi 