Judas' Betrayal

Judas’ Betrayal

Mathew 26:25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” (NIV)

          Judas Iscariot was chosen to be one of Jesus’ disciples. Jesus had picked 12 of them during the early part of his ministry. They followed him wherever he went as he taught and worked miracles in front of them. Just as the people around observed Jesus daily, so did his disciples even more intimately than the people did.

          They were given the opportunity to observe the Son of God firsthand so that they could be a witness to others later as to the magnificent power that God had embraced His son with.         

Even with knowing that there would be an enemy in the camp, Jesus still selected Judas to travel alongside him during his ministry. However, Judas had a weakness that the devil would exploit in order to take the Son of God down. He loved money and power. He wanted the fame that Jesus had among the people. Satan knew the evil that he had planted in him. He would use it to his ultimate advantage. 

          After all, this was a man after Satan’s own heart. What he couldn’t accomplish in heaven, he would now do on earth. He wanted to be like God. He wanted to be worshiped as God. He resented the fact of Jesus’ relationship and authority over him. Satan was greedy. Satan wanted it all and if he couldn’t get it, he would use any means necessary to bring the son of God to his knees. He wasn’t successful at tempting him prior to his ministry, but now, he would have the opportunity to use one of Jesus’ own followers against him. He would get his temporary revenge. 

          After meeting with the religious leaders, and offering to betray Jesus for a price, Judas agreed to help them. It didn’t matter to him that Jesus had embraced him as a follower. It didn’t matter that he had witnessed many miracles over the 3-year period that Jesus was in ministry. He didn’t care that He had seen Jesus raise people from the dead. He didn’t take into account of what would happen to him after a betrayal of such magnitude. The devil had Judas right where he wanted him. He would forget all that Jesus had done. It didn’t matter. He was going to get paid.

          Jesus, after having awakened the disciples once again asked them why they were sleeping. Despite whatever answer they had ready, it was too late. Judas, leading a group of men with weapons, came to Jesus and gave him the kiss of betrayal. That was a sign to the other men who were with him as an unmistakable notion that Jesus was there. They didn’t want to make the mistake of grabbing the wrong person in case he would escape. 

          The plan was followed perfectly until Peter, in a fit of rage, decided to take out his sword and chop off one of the men’s ears. However, even amidst being arrested, Jesus picked up the man’s ear and healed him. He did not want violence. That was not his way. Jesus instructed Peter to put his sword away. Jesus was still teaching lessons and doing acts of kindness even while enemies surrounded him. Judas, after giving Jesus his formal greeting, and kissing him with the lips of disloyalty, had succeeded in what the religious leaders and he had planned. Jesus was arrested and taken away.