Judas the Betrayer

“This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.” John 12:6 (spoken of Judas)

“Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.” Matthew 26:14-16

“Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly.". . . 30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night. “ John 13:26-27,30  

“Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand." And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him." Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.” Matthew 26:14-16, 45-49

“Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He (Jesus) had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." . . . 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself . . . 9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced,  and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me." Matthew 27:3-10(select)

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Mark 14:38

   The betrayal of Judas Iscariot is one of the greatest of tragedies ever recorded.  A man led and taught by Jesus, the Christ, for over two years; a witness to the miracles and love shown in His ministry.  Judas apparently was respected of the others, keeping the money bag.  The broad group of disciples would have listened to him as a leader, being an apostle of Jesus.  Yet he still only came this ------close.

   We can look back and say, “How did Judas miss the path so badly?” when we should look at ourselves now.  First look in the mirror, do you see the glimpses of betrayal (to fail or desert especially in time of need)? Have you let Jesus down in his ministry?  The greater loss was that Judas did not see that forgiveness was available, directly from Jesus whom he betrayed.  There are inevitably those among us, who are religious enough, but have missed Jesus’ teaching.  Let it be our desire to seek out those who still need a resurrection from their fallen state.