Judas betraying Jesus
Judas has gone down in the history of mankind as the most infamous villain of all time. He was the disciple of Jesus Christ who betrayed his master and savior. No doubt he was initially drawn to the teaching of the new teacher from Nazareth and His gracious words of truth like the other disciples. The germs of the evil, in all likelihood unfolded themselves gradually. As the 12 disciples travelled hither and thither with their Master receiving money and other offerings for redistributing to the poor, it became necessary that someone should act as the steward to organize the money, and this fell to Judas. John 12:6, John 13:29. Judas found him self being entrusted with larger and larger sums of money and with this came covetousness, unfaithfulness and embezzlement.
The scriptures warn us that, “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil: which while some coveted after, they have been led astray from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10. Such was Judas’s love of money that he plotted with the enemies of Jesus and agreed to betray him for thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26:14-16. Judas led the enemies of Jesus to him and betrayed him with a kiss, for he had said to them, “Whomsoever I shall kiss, the same is he: take him.” Matthew 26:48.
As an apostle, Judas had a special relationship with Jesus. Unfortunately, he abandoned that relationship due to worldliness. (Acts 1:15-17, 24-25) We, too, can have a special relationship with Christ. We can be considered his brethren. Hebrews 2:11, Matthew 12:48-50 We can be in fellowship with Christ, 1 John 1:3 Unfortunately, many people fail to enter into that relationship with Christ through obedience to the Gospel – because they love the world too much. Some like Judas, after having a relationship with Jesus then forfeit it due to the ways of the world. Let’s learn from Judas: Have you remained faithful? Have you put spiritual things first? Or, have you allowed worldliness to interfere with your relationship with Christ? Colossians 3:1-10.
–Paul Ridgway
