Thoughts for the Day

After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’ Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

As we come to the great betrayal, let us look at Judas Iscariot. Chosen to be a disciple he was also chosen to be the treasurer, responsible for managing the apostles' money. It was he who argued that Mary's costly gift of perfume which she used to anoint Jesus' feet should be spent on the poor. However, in the previous chapter John mentions that Judas was dishonest and stole from the common purse. Although Judas was a witness for three years to the miracles and teachings of Jesus it seems as though it made little difference to him. It's possible of course that he expected Jesus to lead a revolt against the Romans when he set up the betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, and then led the Roman soldiers to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was praying. He was to identify Jesus with a kiss, thus sealing his betrayal, and his end was to be tragic. After seeing Jesus condemned to death, he was to feel remorse and tried to return the silver coins to the priests, but was refused. Overwhelmed by guilt, Judas hung himself.

One of the things his story should warn us of, is to be careful that we choose the right path. We are not to assume we know what God wants, rather we should listen to His bigger plans and then align our plans with His. We also need to be sure we don't allow concern for material goods to lead us away from our principles, and we must accept that there are consequences to our actions. However, Judas ultimately made the mistake of allowing his guilt to consume him, and committed suicide rather than seeking forgiveness from God. Jesus was to forgive the dying thief on the cross (Luke 23.39-43), and after His resurrection Jesus was to forgive Peter for denying he knew Him (John 21.15-17). No sin is too big to be forgiven other than sin against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12.31) which presumably would include doubting Christ's power to forgive genuine repentance

Judas' example finally serves as a warning about keeping a pure heart before God.

Lord Jesus Christ,
keep us from thinking we know best,
rather than listening to Your plans.
Help us to be honest with You
and with others -
in our thoughts, words, and actions.
May we put our relationship with You
above material things,
and when we make mistakes
turn to You with genuine repentance.
Amen.