A Friends Betrayal
A Friends Betrayal
14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 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. 16 So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.
Matthew 26:14-16
There are few characters within the Bible more despised than Judas Iscariot. This is because he wasn’t someone on the outside. He wasn’t someone that Jesus hurt, let down or betrayed. Judas was a close friend of Jesus. It is that betrayal that really seems to put people off.
In these verses are some details that can lead people to be even more upset with him. Verse 14 says that he went to the priests. 15 says that he asked what they would give him for the betrayal of Jesus. It seems like this was his plan and no one else’s. He wasn’t coerced or bullied into betraying Christ.
Then the amount offered is another insult. Some put it at $100 to $400. Judas, being the one who carried the money for the disciples, probably carried more with him on a regular basis. Did he think so little of Jesus that a price for a slave seemed like a reasonable about for the Messiah?
Then verse 16 says that he actively looked for opportunities to betray him. So this was not a rash decision or something he did after one to many cups of beer. He knew exactly what he was doing and spent much of his time looking for a chance to betray Jesus.
One of the reasons why we despise Judas so much is because we all carry a fear of having a love one betray us. It is one of the most painful experiences to go through in this world. To be betrayed by a friend knocks the foundation from under us. It keeps us from trusting anyone after that.
Unfortunately it does happen. Many times throughout our lives will be disappointed with loved ones. That is because none of us are perfect. We make mistakes and experience mistakes in our lives.
The main point to remember is that, we too can be that betrayer to someone. In the end, the only perfect person was Jesus on this earth. Judas betrayed him, Jesus knowing long before that that was to happen, but he accepted Judas either way. He accepted him, not only to allow what needed to happen to occur but because he truly loved Judas and did all he could to still try and save him. May we learn from Jesus to be just as forgiving to those who betray us.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto