Today is the Wednesday of the Holy Week, ‘colloquially known as Spy Wednesday because of this day just over 2,000 years ago, Judas Iscariot left in secret to betray Jesus.’ Judas, though a historical figure, is a type of person, thing or event that promotes evil transactions in the family, church, and nation. The Wednesday of the Holy Week reminds us that we have a choice, as ‘our actions reflect a decision like Peter to follow Christ, or judging from our way of life, are we more like Judas choosing spiritual death?’ Judas regrets, but Peter repents. Spiritually, Judas illustrates a characteristic of the church shaped by false prophets promoting all kinds of error. Judas in the home and church points to the spiritual reality behind those who oppose Jesus Christ. Judas in the home and church points to Paul’s teaching on the spirit that is at work in those who are disobedient (Eph. 2:2). Jesus warning to Judas, “Woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man,’ emphasis the heart of Lent calling for repentance and not just regrets (Matt 26:24).
The Judas within us always betray the essence and price Jesus paid for our salvation. Beyond Judas Iscariot’s call, his betrayal of Christ, and his death (Matthew 27, Acts 1), we know with certainty that he was a traitor (Matthew 27; 10:4, Mark 3:19, Act 1, Luke 6:16, John 6:71) who apparently stole from the apostle’s common purse (John 12:4-6).
Kenneth J. Zanca, in his book The Judas Within: An Interpretation of the Character of Judas…and the Judas Within Each of Us, invites us to accept the Judas within us, in our marriage, family, church, and nations. The acceptance of Judas within us brings us face to face with the incredible mystery of God’s love, a love so great that it can embrace the darkness in Judas and in ourselves.
The Bible tells how Judas brokers a deal with the Sanhedrin. For a better understanding, the Gospel of Luke provides a detailed background before Judas approached the Sanhedrin, “Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot.” “What will you give me if I deliver him to you?” Judas asked the Sanhedrin, “What will you give me if I deliver him to you?” In response, ‘the Sanhedrin named their price: 30 pieces of silver. Under the law of Moses, the price of an enslaved person was 30 pieces of silver (Exodus 21:32). In this interplay between the Sanhedrin and Judas, the learned rabbis acknowledge they are buying a man worth the value of an enslaved person and see Judas as his master in the transaction. Judas agrees to the terms when accepting the money. He sees himself as the master of Jesus. How did Judas fall so far?’ The Judas in all of us is the increasing change of heart that turns us away from Jesus Christ. Like Judas, our conversion, leadership position and desire to follow Jesus today may not meet up to our expectations for a Savior; hence, we feel upset like secular Roman authorities and religious leaders of Jesus’ days. Like Judas, many today are questioning everything about Jesus and could even feel justified in betraying and turning Jesus in.
The reflection from the interplay between the Sanhedrin and Judas shows how our position and role could dumb our spiritual and theological senses and make us flirt with sin. Rather than caring for the poor, Judas within us cares for self and position. So sad, Judas within us could turn years of God’s graces of living and believing in Jesus to a waste. When we allow Satan to rule us, our church, and our nation, we start to think like Satan. We start to think as if we are the Master of Jesus, acting and debating as if we know better than Jesus, even with a kiss. Judas’ kiss could suggest honour and respect. Judas had ‘followed Jesus for His three years of public ministry. On the other hand, the kiss was a pre-arranged signal to indicate that this was the person the officials sought.’ The kiss was not just the first step in the Lord’s eventual crucifixion but the first of a betrayal, so disconnected from spiritual reality but still playing along.
When we fall or lose grace, Satan confuses not just the mind but soul and spirit; hence, one sin leads to others and ‘gets us to think up is down and down is up. That we are our masters, not God.’ The heart of Lent warns us against the inclinations to embrace the Judas within because when Judas felt deep remorse, ‘Jesus was gone. He could not confess.
Our Lord Jesus stands ready to embrace us and give us the grace to sin no more.’ Judas is not the only one who betrayed Jesus; Peter’s denial fits the context (Jn 21:15-19, Lk 22:62). The Good News is that Peter came back, but Judas never did. Judas felt his sin was beyond God’s grace to forgive. He took his own life and compounded his eternal destiny. The heart of Lent announces to us that no one is beyond God’s grace to receive forgiveness. Be warned. Judas left the side of Jesus Christ to join with the enemy and abandoned the grace. The heart of Lent calls us to walk out of the night and into the Light of Christ.
I pray for someone what the enemy meant for evil, God will turn them around for your good in Jesus’ name.
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