Scripture
Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. (Luke 22:3-6 ESV)
While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. (Matthew 26:47-50 ESV)
While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. (Matthew 26:47-50 ESV)
Devotional
Judas was one of Jesus’ disciples. He had access to Jesus. He had title, rank, and position. He was the treasurer of the disciples, the one who had the charge of the moneybag (John 12:6). He was a known and trusted associate of Jesus.
Yet, he is most known to us today as the one who BETRAYED Jesus.
Why? Because he saw Jesus as nothing more than an influencer of his time. Jesus was nothing more than a wave to ride, a means to end. He was someone who Judas could exploit for personal gain. When Jesus is not at the very core of our identity, we run the risk of Judas.
There is a lot of Judas in some of us, but there is a little Judas in all of us.
So what does the mindset of Judas look like within us? What are the things we must look out for.
Judas chose Prosperity over Worship.
Matthew 26:14 tells us that Judas sold Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver. Today, we would value that at roughly $4,000. Can you imagine that? Selling out a close friend for a few thousand dollars. When given the opportunity to declare that Jesus is Lord, Judas took the opportunity to line his own pockets.
Judas chose Remorse over Repentance.
Repentance is a life-giving choice we can make when we have wronged another. Remorse is life-taking. We can’t just undo our life decisions as Judas tried to by returning the money (Matthew 27:4). The damage had already been done. The only way to move forward is through true repentance and allowing God’s grace to cover our brokenness.
Judas chose Condemnation over Restoration.
Repentance leads us to restoration. But remorse leads us to condemnation. Why? Because we try to handle our brokenness ourselves. We are not able to fix our own brokenness. We know how the story of Judas ends. He takes his own life (Matthew 27:5). But when we choose restoration, we are free from all the condemnation throws upon us.
How do we fight against the Judas mindset? By choosing Jesus to be more than an influencer. We choose him to be our Savior and friend. We choose him to be our identity.
Yet, he is most known to us today as the one who BETRAYED Jesus.
Why? Because he saw Jesus as nothing more than an influencer of his time. Jesus was nothing more than a wave to ride, a means to end. He was someone who Judas could exploit for personal gain. When Jesus is not at the very core of our identity, we run the risk of Judas.
There is a lot of Judas in some of us, but there is a little Judas in all of us.
So what does the mindset of Judas look like within us? What are the things we must look out for.
Judas chose Prosperity over Worship.
Matthew 26:14 tells us that Judas sold Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver. Today, we would value that at roughly $4,000. Can you imagine that? Selling out a close friend for a few thousand dollars. When given the opportunity to declare that Jesus is Lord, Judas took the opportunity to line his own pockets.
Judas chose Remorse over Repentance.
Repentance is a life-giving choice we can make when we have wronged another. Remorse is life-taking. We can’t just undo our life decisions as Judas tried to by returning the money (Matthew 27:4). The damage had already been done. The only way to move forward is through true repentance and allowing God’s grace to cover our brokenness.
Judas chose Condemnation over Restoration.
Repentance leads us to restoration. But remorse leads us to condemnation. Why? Because we try to handle our brokenness ourselves. We are not able to fix our own brokenness. We know how the story of Judas ends. He takes his own life (Matthew 27:5). But when we choose restoration, we are free from all the condemnation throws upon us.
How do we fight against the Judas mindset? By choosing Jesus to be more than an influencer. We choose him to be our Savior and friend. We choose him to be our identity.
Think about it
Who is Jesus to you? Is he the heart of your identity?
What are some ways that you use Jesus for personal gain?
What are some ways that you use Jesus for personal gain?
"There is a lot of Judas in some of us,
but there is a little Judas in all of us."
Pastor Mike
Go Deeper
As a church, we've been walking through the Last 24 Hours of Jesus' life for the past several weeks. Watch the full message below.