We all know the story.
We all know the deal when it comes to Judas.
But do we ever really sit and allow his story to mean something to us?
This was a man that spent about three years with Jesus, he was present with him when he performed miracles, he was with him when he preached, he was with him as he traveled. He ate the same food, breathed the same air. And yet... this is the man that betrays him to the high priests.
How many times do we think that if we had lived back then, that we would be better followers of Christ?
How many times do we think that we could have never left Jesus like his friends did?
How many times do we think that if we had just seen a miracle of Jesus, we would have unshakable faith?
Have we ever let that sink in? This is a man Jesus chose to be one of his closest friends... he entrusts him with the money, he entrusts him to preach in His name with the other disciples.
This is what we learn about Judas in the final week of Jesus' life...
'Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, "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 was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.' -John 12:1-6 (ESV)
'Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.' -Matthew 26: 14-16 (ESV)
Judas was the keeper of the money... and he wanted more and more money.
'For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.' -1 Timothy 6:10
And doesn't that verse that Paul pens to Timothy many years after just speak the truth so well when we think about Judas.
Are we like that?
At all?
What about Jesus' last words to Judas?
'but Jesus said to him, "Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"' -Luke 22:48 (ESV)
It makes me wonder what those words did to him?
'And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.
Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." They said, "What is that to us? See to it yourself." And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, "It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money." So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.' -Matthew 27:2-10
Judas' story is important because really... it's our story.
How many times have we taken something else over Christ?
This Easter season, this Holy Week, let's remember that Jesus chose us, even though we sin, he died for us. He allowed one of his best friends to stab him in the back so that he could... so that he would suffer for us.
We have a God who understands us, we have a God who knows pain.
He knows what it feels like to be alone, be betrayed, be ignored, be bullied, be beaten, be ripped away from family and friends. He knows humanity's biggest fears, biggest needs, biggest hurts, biggest desires.
He knows, because he lived it.
The importance of Judas...
The importance of all of the events leading up to the cross...
The importance OF the cross...
Was God saving us from all of those things. Offering us a new life.
But it was also God's way of saying, 'Me too.'
Remember that this Easter season. God understands, and he cares about where you are and what is afflicting you right now.
He shouts, 'Me too.'
Let us submit these things to Him in prayer this week as we prepare ourselves for Good Friday.
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Nathan Bryant
Is a student of Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri. Majoring in Biblical Leadership, New Testament Studies, and Missiology, he has a combined passion for unity and discipleship in the global church. Nate is a crazed sports fan, he enjoys college football and playing fantasy football. He also enjoys watching baseball with friends. He works as an Admissions Counselor and Resident Assistant at Ozark. Nate is unashamedly a Starbucks addict. Yay Coffee!
Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our causes.
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