Judas lessons for all

A. Greed. The greedy never have enough. Even millionaires and  billionaires are obsessed with accumulating more money into their  accounts and portfolios. Judas like them was obsessed with money. He  became the treasurer of the Apostles, suggesting that special interest  in assets, where it went and how it was spent. To steal was a temptation  he evidently was unable to resist (John 12:6);

B. Jealousy. Was there a time when Judas  had been filled with eager enthusiasm for the Person and message of  Jesus? The Lord takes us as we are in order to turn us to the Holy  Spirit. He recognized the potential of Judas despite his weakness for  money and honor. James and John coveted honors. Matthew was a tax  collector, suggesting greediness. They conquered their temptations. Was  it impossible for Judas to do the same? It appears that somewhere during  Christ’s ministry Judas realized that he would always be excluded from  the inner circle of the Lord. Peter, James and John had more love,  dedication and enthusiasm than he could ever muster. Disillusion soon  turns to hatred;

C. Material goods become substitutes for  ideals. People who settle for possessions do so when their ambitions no  longer bear fruit. They project onto others their inner failings. Goods  become a consolation for better things. It could be that Judas had  expected Jesus to liberate Palestine from Roman occupation, then blamed  Him for being who He is—Liberator of souls, not of nations. Always there  are those eager to play the name game, blaming politicians for the  problems of the nation, the media for exploiting the nation’s failures,  yet never looking inward to search for ways to make a difference  personally;

D. Provocation. Some scholars feel that  Judas may have tried forcing the hand of Jesus. The good that He  accomplished through the miracles of healing were only to win the  affection of the crowds. His eloquence in teaching the ways of God, the  messages of hope, was designed as a prelude to a revolt designed to  unseat the military forces in the land. Clearly this is false. “My  Kingdom is not of this world,” He told Pilate.

In all this, Judas proved to be out of  touch with the gospel of Christ. He never had been a true apostle. He  was unable to accept Jesus as He was. He wanted to fashion Christ into  the image Judas wanted Him to be. This temptation is not unique to the  betrayer. Many are like him. They consider Jesus to be a “Man for all  seasons,” a figure Who throughout history has been adapted to the needs  of the times. Judas Iscariot is both example and warning to all who feel  it possible to make Christ into their own image, rather than to  discover the truth transcending every culture throughout history: “Jesus  Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). It’s  for the true Christian to rise above the limits of the times he or she  lives in. This is the only way to be united with Jesus Christ, Son of  God, Who came into the world to find and save sinners.

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