Today we continue our reflections on this past Sunday's sermon, "What Went Wrong Between Sunday and Friday?"
Judas had the task of handling the finances for Jesus' ministry. In that regard, Judas had a fairly prominent position among the Twelve. It really gives the impression that this man was trustworthy. But, as Pastor Sam noted on Sunday, Judas's love for money led him to a series of decisions that resulted in his self-destruction.
Decision 1: To steal. Although Judas was the one in charge of the money, it was apparent that at least one other disciple knew what was supposed to be in that fund, because John was able to record that Judas was stealing from the fund (John 12:6). You know, that's one of the interesting things about sin: you are doing something, and you think that you're under cover because no one has said anything to you directly, but the reality is that other people know. It's not a secret to everyone. And it's certainly not a secret to God.
Decision 2: To sell out. Judas, because of his love for money, had an extremely negative reaction to the "nard" incident where Mary Magdalene poured out her retirement fund as an offering to Jesus (see February 25th's blog "Mary: Misconduct Misconstrued" for more). Judas was not focused on the love of Christ, but on the loss of capital. And when circumstances presented an opportunity to increase the money in his pocket, Judas went for the cash. It didn't matter that the trade-off for the cash was the betrayal of Jesus.
Decision 3: To solo. One of the distinctives of Jesus's earthly ministry was that, when disciples were assigned to tasks, He would never send them alone. They would go two by two (Luke 10:1), or as a small group (Mark 9:2, 9:14-28). Judas, in his quest for financial gain, had gone out alone to meet with the religious leaders who desired the death of Jesus (Mark 14:10-11). And days later, in the middle of a meal, Jesus made a public confirmation of what had already occurred in the shadows of secrecy: Judas's agreement with Satan to betray Christ. Jesus dismissed Judas from the table, and Judas went out alone (John 13:21-30), never to return. It was over.
It is possible, sometimes for years, to be engaged in the work of Christ and simultaneously be quite busy supporting the kingdom of darkness. But in the economy of the kingdom, duplicity is disobedience.
What are your motives? Why do you do what you do? Do you really love Jesus?
Why are you still embracing the thing I have called off-limits? Be warned: like Cain, your desire will destroy your life and ministry if you don't stop it now. Kill your unholy desire before it kills you.
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