Scripture:
[3] Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. [4] And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.
[21] But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.
Observation:
Judas was open to Satan..
Although Judas Iscariot was close to Jesus as one of the original 12 disciples and followed Jesus for 3 years, he was still open to Satan. It was more of an outward show of loyalty. It seems like his heart was not totally changed.
What made Judas open to Satan? Was it greed? Based on the fact he went and asked how much they would pay, it probably was.
God allowed Satan to use Judas..
Satan used Judas but was playing right along with God’s plan and didn’t even know it. Another prophecy was fulfilled.. “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” (Psalm 41:9) Where King David wrote of being betrayed by one of his closest friends, now Jesus would be betrayed by on of his chosen 12 disciples.
Jesus knew and yet He loved..
Jesus knew Judas would betray him, yet he loved him and kept him close anyway.
Application:
Judas wasn’t the most upright person there was. He managed the money and yet the others couldn’t trust him not to steal from it. He had the same sin nature all of us have – he did things he knew was wrong. And Jesus chose him and loved him anyway. In fact, Jesus loved Judas knowing that He would ultimately be betrayed by him.
Just as He loved Judas, Jesus loves us no matter what. There is nothing we can do to make Him love us less. Later Judas gave the money back and takes his own life without ever repenting to God of his sin.
We can be different from Judas though..
First, whether we’ve been following Jesus for a day or a lifetime, we need much more than an outward display of what we think others expect of Christians. We need to allow our hearts to be truly changed.
Second, we need to constantly fight off Satan’s attempts to convince us to sin. In Judas’ case it may have been greed. We need to look deep and understand what our sin issues are and use the power of the Holy Spirit within us to fight off Satan’s attempt to turn them into actions.
Third, in our moments of weakness, when we do loose some control to evil, repent to our Lord and Savior knowing that he loves us through anything.
Prayer:
Lord I love You. Thank You for choosing me. Help me stay strong against evil influences and to always know that You love me as broken and as messy as I am. In your powerful and loving name I pray, amen.