Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Luke 22:3-6
It was Passover week in Jerusalem. And as was the custom, the council of religious leaders known as the Sanhedrin met to discuss important matters of the day. This time, high on their list was how they should deal with the trouble-maker, Jesus. Throughout Jesus’ ministry he had warned the people of Israel about the scribes and Pharisees and had publicly rebuked them for their hypocrisy, lawlessness, persecution of God’s prophets, and refusal to recognize him as the prophesied Messiah (Matthew 23).
For the two years, the council had plotted to kill Jesus. And now seemed to be the time to execute their plan. On Wednesday, they conferred with one of Jesus’ very own disciples – Judas Iscariot.
Along with the other 10 disciples, Judas had been a companion to Jesus from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. He had seen all the same incredible miracles, like the blind and lame healed. He’d heard Jesus teach time and time again about the kingdom of God and his identity as the unique Son of God. He was even there when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
Despite evidence to the contrary, he refused to believe that Jesus is who he claimed to be – the unique Son of God. Even though he had lived with Jesus and the others for three years, he was not one of them (John 13:10-11). For years, he had been lured by his own sinful desires for “the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches” (Matthew 13:22). That’s what led him to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Sin is not simply an immoral action. It is a contaminated heart and a deranged mind that infects 100 percent of the world’s population. God’s word teaches us that sin is rebellion (Psalm 2:1-3), slavery (Romans 6:16), blindness (2 Corinthians 4:3-4), darkness (John 3:19), folly (Romans 1:22-23), and spiritual death (Ephesians 2:1). And we are masters of the art of cover-up (“fake news”) and self-deceit. We tell ourselves that we are at worst morally neutral and at best inherently good. Interestingly, sin doesn’t necessarily remove moralism from our thinking. Instead, it rebrands it as subjective and malleable. An example of this phenomenon is comparison. We compare our circumstances with others to feel better about ourselves.
“I’m not perfect, but I’m no Judas.” Right?
But Scripture levels the playing field. The Bible, when read, properly interpreted, and applied (by the extraordinary work of the Holy Spirit) removes that lens. And we instead realize the truth. “I’m culpable for the murder of Jesus.”
Let Judas’ betrayal be a reminder of your own sin. That we are all, by nature, rebels against God. But then remember the gospel, the good news that the grace of God is greater than my sin. In fact, God used Judas’ sin as a pathway to the cross. And on the cross, he displayed the greatest act of love the world has ever seen. “Our sins are many, but His mercy is more!” Although I’m responsible for Jesus’ death, I can also be forgiven by trusting in what he accomplished by his death. How will you respond to God’s love for you?
Meditate today (and everyday) on the gospel – the incredible truth that God has showered you with unfathomable mercy, grace, and love when you were his enemy. All those who trust in the person and work of Jesus are saved from sin and hell. And more than that, they are his adopted children and inheritors of eternal life.
Pray this prayer with me today: “Jesus, I am astounded by your redeeming work on the cross. I’m humbled by the fact that you loved me and died for me, a sinner deserving death and hell. You pursued me and saved me. Help me to seek your glory, repent often of sin, and cling to you when temptation surrounds me on all sides. Help me to remember that you are even using the evil around me for my good and your eternal glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Join us for our Passion Week Livestream Services.
Good Friday service April 10th at 7:00 pm & Easter service on Sunday, April 12 at 10:00 am.