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Home , Thirty pieces of silver

Luke 22:1-6 Judas

The Character of Judas

V1-6 The chief priests, teachers of the law and officers of the temple guard are afraid of the people and they cannot find a way to 'get rid of' i.e. put him to death (:3- 4). Judas provides the way through his own choice to betray Jesus. Jesus knew full well that he was going to be betrayed (Matthew 26:1-2). Jesus is in total control of the situation and not Judas. God is sovereign - even over his own betrayal (Psalm 40:9, :12,13, Matthew 20:18,)! We are not told what was the motive behind Judas' betrayal and it would be wrong to speculate. What we do know for sure is that 'Satan entered Judas' (v3).

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you." James 4:7-8

Do you actively resist the devil? What ways do you 'betray' the Savior?

Judas did not resist the devil at all. He indulged his sinful nature of greed, which meant that he gave Satan a foothold. I believe that it was because he was a thief and active in sin that the devil was able to use him (cf. Acts 5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira).

"...and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need." Ephesians 4:27-28

"But one of his disciples, , who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it." John 12:4-6

Notice, that this pattern of sin was not broken in Judas' life. His love of money and love for himself instead of others continued throughout his life.

"Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of ." Matthew 26:14, 15

It was his greedy desire for money which gave the devil a foothold in Judas' life.

Have you allowed the devil to gain any footholds in your life through sin?

It is so important for Christians to be aware of the spiritual warfare that is going on around them.

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1 Peter 5:8-9

Are you alert to the devil's schemes? How is he trying to trip you up?

Judas by his own choice, clearly was not a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. He neither loved him or recognized Jesus as the Messiah, God's Savior. He was following Jesus for himself; for what he could get out of being a disciple. This is in direct opposition to what Jesus requires for discipleship.

"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

Jesus knew the heart of Judas (Psalm 33:14,15). He is God and gives man the freedom to choose.

"Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” John 6:70

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:21-23

Judas walked with the Lord for three years. He would have witnessed his miracles, seen Jesus raise the dead, heal people and exorcise demons. It is possible to know about the Lord Jesus and not know him at all. Judas never accepted God's grace for him, he never understood Christ's love for him. There was no room for Christ in Judas' heart. His only interest was himself.

"... there is always the terrible possibility that even among us who apparently live in the closest connection with the Lord there may be those who are inwardly false and are busily engaged in betraying him." Geldenhuys, The

"Some who associate with Jesus for a time will ultimately deny him. Until their desertion, they will look every bit like disciples. Defection in the ranks is a real possibility, and Judas's example is an exhortation to constancy of faith." Bock, ECNT Luke

If you are honest with yourself, do you know Jesus personally or just know about him? Do you love the Lord fully or do you follow the Christian faith for what you can get out of it?

Judas compared to Peter.

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat." Luke 22:31

Peter (Simon) denied the Lord and abandoned him (Luke 22:54-62). What is the difference between Peter and Judas?

Firstly, Peter acknowledged that Jesus was, "the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matthew 16:16. Judas never believed that Jesus was the Christ so, he did not believe that Jesus had the power to forgive sins therefore he was condemned.

"Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, whoever does not believe stands condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son". John 3:18

Secondly, It was clear that Peter loved Jesus more than he loved himself. Judas never loved Jesus otherwise he would have never betrayed him.

"When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” John 21:15-17

Peter had a genuine broken and contrite spirit and confessed before Christ who could forgive sins. Judas had remorse and confessed to the chief priests and the elders i.e. man (:3-10). Man cannot forgive sins, only God can.

The Amazing love, humility and forgiveness of the Lord

Jesus washed Judas' feet after 'the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot (John 13:2,10). Jesus ate with Judas, knowing that he was going to betray him (Luke 22:21-22). Jesus calls Judas the betrayer, his friend (Matthew 26:50). Jesus can forgive any sin that is confessed and repented before him (John 21:15-17).

"The fact that Jesus washed Judas' feet, after Judas had determined "to betray Him," shows the greatness of His love." Constable, Notes on John

"Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend." Matthew 26:50

"And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:8

"Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots." Luke 23:34

Jesus knows the sins we have committed and the ones that we are going to commit. Yet he still loves us. How do you respond to that kind of love?

Application

1) Guard your heart and resist the devil (James 4:7-8). 2) Don't give the devil a foothold through sin. Confess and repent of it (Ephesians 4:27-28). 3) Stand firm in the faith. Pray, read scripture, fellowship with saints, worship the Lord (1 Peter 5:8-9). 4) Be aware that there are false Christians around. Use discernment. 5) Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for his amazing love, humility and forgiveness of sin.