Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Begin your time with God by reading this passage from Matthew…

Then one of the Twelve — the one called Judas Iscariot — went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. – Matthew 26:14-16

I cannot read about Judas’ betrayal without thinking, Why!? Why did he do it? Was it just greed? Was he planning this from the very beginning? Was he some kind of a misguided zealot who really didn’t understand who Jesus was? Why did he do it?

It is interesting that none of the Gospel accounts ever really answer this question. We never get a clear enough window into the mind and heart of Judas to let us know exactly why he did what he did. Perhaps there is an important lesson for us in this…

Does the motive for a sin make it any less a sin? Does our rationale or reasons for our disobedience justify it? (maybe it does in our own minds, but who are we kidding?) My kids are really good at this kind of rationalizing and justifying when they get caught doing something wrong…”It wasn’t my fault.” “He hit me first.” “But I didn’t know.” Of course it is not just kids that are good at this, we all habitually defend ourselves don’t we? We have reasons why it is different and the rules don’t apply for us. Our whole culture is convinced that it is always somebody else’s’ fault, and everybody is a victim.

The Bible teaches us that regardless of our motives or reasons, sin is still sin. Until we face the sobering reality of our own sinfulness and are willing to take responsibility for it, we cannot know the freedom and forgiveness of Christ!

Judas was the friend who was willing to act like an enemy: he was a traitor. The truth is so am I, and so are you. We are all friends who sometimes act like enemies of Jesus. One of the saddest side stories of Holy week is the fact that Judas Iscariot did not stick around long enough to experience the love and forgiveness of his master.

There is nothing we can do to justify ourselves before God – NOTHING! The only hope we have is to be justified by the redeeming love of Christ Himself, the very one we betrayed!

Oh Lord we call ourselves Your friends, but we have often acted as Your enemies. Forgive us for the countless ways we have betrayed you. Keep us from trying to justify ourselves and remind us that our only hope for justification is in Your love and mercy - Amen.

Jeff Frazier