SUCCESSFUL SUFFERER SERIES
(Author’s Note: While we will be exploring the Scriptures to understand how people responded to Christ, this is not meant to be a modern-day indictment on people who currently hold these positions. In fact, I am hoping that we will see beyond titles and individuals and focus on characteristics. These may not only be behaviors that have been perpetrated against us but we may even be exhibiting some of these characteristics ourselves in response to Christ, as well as others. I am prayerful that this series will give us strength to endure as we reflect on our Lord. His suffering is an example for us as we strive to be Successful Sufferers. Let’s proceed in a spirit of grace and humility as we each receive what the Holy Spirit is saying to us. Blessings, T.L.)
INTRODUCTION
As we continue the Betrayed series, it is important for us to look at Judas Iscariot. Judas was personally selected by our Lord to be one of His 12 companions during His earthly ministry. He was the son of Simon Iscariot and the only man of the 12 disciples from Judea (the other 11 disciples were from Galilee). Judas’ decision to follow Christ is not documented in the Bible (for example,like Peter’s and Andrew’s decisions), so we are not given insight into when and how he began to be with Jesus. Frankly, he is only known for his betrayal of Christ. In fact, each of the gospel writers immediately upon introducing Judas Iscariot into the life of Christ gives him the epithet as betrayer/traitor. Judas is first mentioned when Jesus called the 12 disciples unto Himself.
And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons…(Mark 3:13-15).
While the 12 disciples would witness and hear so many amazing things during their time with Christ, their primary purpose and privilege was to be with Him. They would have the opportunity to become His intimate companions.
THE LITTLE FOXES
The scriptures indicate that Judas was a full participant of the ministry of Christ. He was given power and authority by Jesus over all demons and diseases and to preach the kingdom of God (Luke 9:1-2). He would have assisted with seating and distributing the food to the 5,000 that Jesus fed from the two fish and five loaves (Luke 9:14-17). He saw Jesus walk on water (Matthew 14:22-33), raise Lazarus from the dead, (John 11:43-44), and so much more. Judas was numbered with the apostles and had obtained part of their ministry (Acts 1:16-17). So, how can someone so close to Christ betray Him?
Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes (Song of Solomon 2:15).
Oftentimes, betrayal does not begin with the major violations but the slow, secretive violations that occur over a period of time: the little foxes. When it happens to us, it may be someone close to us who violates our trust by divulging personal details to others, being envious, or having ill-intent towards us. We may continue to confide in that person until a larger violation occurs that makes us aware of what the person has done.
I believe that the secret violations (“little foxes”) create a disconnect for the person doing it that emboldens them to commit more egregious acts. In John 12:3-8, Judas was critical of Mary using expensive oil to anoint Christ. The Holy Spirit allowed John to document Judas’ motive”
But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it (John 12:4-6).
Judas was a thief and had been stealing from the ministry’s funds! Judas had not been faithful and dedicated to the mission of Christ and then suddenly turned on Him. Jesus had entrusted Judas with the money but Judas violated that trust. He may have thought that he was secretly getting away with stealing but Jesus knows all things. How often do we violate the trust that Jesus extends to us? To be transparent, too many times to count. I am learning to catch my little foxes before they completely destroy my connection with Christ.
THE PAWN, THE PAYMENT, THE PLAN
Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude (Luke 22:1-6).
(In Matthew 26:7-14 and Mark 14:3-10, after the woman anoints Jesus with oil, these gospels immediately indicate that Judas went to the chief priests to betray Christ. I am not prepared to definitively say that Jesus’ rebuke of Judas was a precipitating factor in his decision to betray Christ; however, it is an interesting flow of events and an opportunity to examine ourselves and how we receive correction from God.)
Judas became a pawn in the plan of the chief priests. The chief priests were already plotting to kill Christ. However, they were afraid to take Jesus when the crowds were present. For thirty pieces of silver, Judas promised, covenanted, and sought opportunity to fulfill the plan and betray Christ. Judas became the tool that Satan and the chief priests used to take custody of Jesus and ultimately to kill Him.
EXPLOITED INTIMACY
Judas had the greatest asset of everyone who actively conspired against Christ: intimacy with Him. When Judas (and the eleven) were called into ministry, their first purpose was that they should be with Him (Mark 3:13). They were called into an intimate, personal relationship with Christ that no other disciples would experience. It was this very intimacy that Judas would exploit in order to fulfill his covenant with the chief priests to betray Jesus.
When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons (John 18:1-3).
Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him (Matthew 26:47-50).
Because of Judas’ intimate knowledge of Christ, he escorted the soldiers to a private place that was not known to the public. This was a place that Jesus had reserved to spend time alone with His disciples. Also, Judas would use the intimate symbol of a kiss to betray Christ. A kiss requires emotional and physical closeness. A kiss requires that you enter a person’s personal space and that they allow you to be there. Judas did not value the intimacy that he shared with Christ. Therefore, he reduced himself to a pawn in the chief priests’ plan and chose to stand with them (John 18:5). The last words that Judas heard from Christ were, “Friend, why have you come?”.
Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me (Psalms 41:9).
The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” (Matthew 26:24)
Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.” (Matthew 27:3-10)
Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him. Jesus called Judas a devil (John 6:70-71) and the son of perdition (John 17:12). Yet, Christ still called Judas to be a disciple, gave him a part of the ministry, and washed his feet before Judas left to betray Him. I marvel at the humility and submission of Christ to follow the Father’s plan fully and completely. However, it is not enough to marvel but to follow His example as the Holy Spirit leads us through our individual journeys.
To continue this series, click to read BETRAYED: THE ELEVEN DISCIPLES
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Copyright 2021 T.L. Lockley. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
