Hey Judas
Hey Judas
47 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.
Matthew 26:47
Next to the Devil himself, no one person is more hated in Christianity than Judas. He lived with Jesus for three years. He saw all the miracles at his hands. He was entrusted with the money purse, respected by the others and still he did what he did. It’s amazing how closely he models after Lucifer in heaven.
What could drive Judas to do such a thing? Many theologians have speculated. Some say he was always a wolf in sheep’s clothing, connected to the devil and just waiting for the right moment to pounce out for the kill. Once the work was done, as always the devil distanced himself and made Judas feel like the empty, foolish man he was- leading him to cry in despair and kill himself.
Others claim the very opposite. Some say he was a loyal believer in Jesus, though only in the traditional Jewish view. He wanted to see Jesus take his place on the throne. He wanted to be there with him at his right hand. When Jesus apparently delayed himself from the crown, or even hid away in some cases, Judas put it in his heart, “I will be the savior and force Jesus to take his place.” By trapping Jesus in a corner, Judas believed that Jesus would be forced to use his miraculous powers to save himself and finally take the throne. When Jesus, once again, refused to fight for his right, Judas realized that he had made a huge mistake and with a bitter heart hung himself.
You can study for yourself and try and see what was in Judas’ heart but in the end it is a great warning for us. If a man, who lived with Jesus, saw his miracles and knew his sermons could so dramatically reject and even attack Jesus- what is possible with us?
How careful should we be with our own connection and relationship with our Lord? Could we also give the kiss of death to Jesus? God forbid but let us work even the more to have a loving and true relationship with him.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto