THE BETRAYER — SAY IT WITH JOY

Have you ever thought it was odd that Jesus allowed Judas Iscariot to be His treasurer? Jesus knew that Judas was a thief because Jesus knows all things (John 16:30). Nothing is hidden from Him.

Judas’s heart and intentions surfaced when Mary took a pound of costly ointment made from pure nard and tenderly wiped Jesus' feet with her hair. Judas angerly asked, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he oversaw the moneybag from which he secretly helped himself of its contents (John 12:3-6). Jesus quickly rebuked Judas and said, "Leave her alone...it was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of My burial (John 12:7).

Weary from the crowds, Jesus had gone up on a mountain to teach His disciples. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21). Then he added, “No one can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24).

Not wanting that anyone should parish, Jesus gave the above teaching for Judas’s benefit. It addressed the root of his carnality and lust for wealth. Jesus knew that if Judas did not repent and change his ways, that his greed would bring about his destruction.

God's mercy is so great that He goes to great lengths to bring truth to those who are deceived and to those who are lost. He does not want any person to parish, but that all would come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, there are those who look to both the world and its offerings to satisfy their every need and to man to solve problems and calm their weary hearts.

On Judgement day, Judas will not be able to say that he knew nothing about the consequences of his sin. “If [we] say, ‘But [I] knew nothing about this,” does not He who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not He who guards your life know it? Will He not repay everyone according to what they have done?” (Proverbs 24:12 NIV)

You may have wondered how Judas could have betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver after daily being with Him and listening to His teachings. However, his behavior should not surprise us. There are many Christians who are no different from Judas. Outwardly, they profess Jesus. They attend church and say all the right things, but inwardly, their hearts are far from Jesus. They are adulterers, fornicators, thieves at business, liars, greedy, rebellious, unbelieving, lustful, and prideful. They refuse to turn from their sins, because they are under the illusion that church attendance, an occasional prayer, and a few good deeds will guarantee their entrance to heaven. Unfortunately, that fallacy is far removed from the truth.

Judas most likely assumed that because He was with the Teacher and “followed” Him every day, that he was safe from the fires of hell. However, the Bible strictly warns that, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV). That is why we are told to guard our heart for everything we do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23).

How do we guard our heart? We do not allow ourselves to be conformed to this world. Rather, we become transformed by renewing our minds with God’s Word, so that when testing comes (as it did with Judas), we can discern what is good, acceptable, and the perfect will of God (Romans 12:2).

You might be thinking that you would have never done what Judas did. Peter said the same thing. “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.” But Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times.” But Peter vehemently declared, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You.” And all the other disciples said the same (Matthew 26:33-35).

God is calling us to take inventory of our hearts. Is He truly first in our lives? Are we daily praying and renewing our minds with His Word? Are we resisting temptation? Do we compromise our beliefs to appease others? Do we clutter our lives with so many busy activities that there is no remaining time for God? Do we have unwavering faith in God and His promises? Do we believe that “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work?” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) If we were to find ourselves in the same position as Peter and the disciples, would we also deny knowing Jesus?

PRAYER: We live in difficult and very uncertain times where faith in You and Your Word is challenged every day by the world’s standards. Each day, help me to place You first by reading Your Word, praying, and allowing You to govern my thoughts, words, and deeds. If challenged as Peter and the disciples were that evening, give me strength and grace not to deny You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.