The Kiss of Judas by Giotto de Bondone

Judas Iscariot, named among the twelve apostles as the traitor. (Mark 3:16-19) Why on earth would Jesus choose someone He KNEW would betray Him (John 6:64) and knowing this betrayal would initiate His demise? (Mark 14:18)

Questions? I Got Questions!

Who is this shady “friend?” What on earth can I learn from Judas? Is there one positive I can glean from his life with Christ? Or will I only come to understand how I do not want to behave? Judas is an enigma. Nothing is wasted or lost in God’s economy. (Romans 8:28). I need to find clues from his life and death to learn how to be a better friend to the Master?

Who Is This Deceiver?

Shockingly, Judas is a Greek version of the Hebrew name Judah. It means, “let Him be praised.” We know Judas was the son of Simon from the town of Kerioth (Iscariot) which is not part of Galilee. (John 6:71) We do not know what his previous occupation was. We can determine from scriptures he was a disciple of John the Baptist and chosen by Jesus Himself knowing Judas was “a devil.” (John 6:70-71) In choosing Judas, Jesus fulfilled the prophecy written centuries before found in Psalms 41:9. (John 17:12)

Not Voted Most Likely To Succeed

The gospel writers have little to say about Judas Iscariot that is positive. He is called a thief, betrayer, a devil, and they describe the scene in the upper room as Jesus identifies Judas as the traitor out of the lineup of the twelve, even before the actual crime is committed. (Mark 3:19, John 6:71, 12:6, 13:21-27) Did Judas have an attitude problem? How did they discover he was stealing from the gifts given to support the ministry for his own use? What would cause him to turn on Jesus?

Heart Problem

Historians tell us Judas may have become disillusioned because he was looking for a conquering king not a suffering servant. The temptation of keeping the money of this traveling troop of men and women may have been too great. What we do know from the scripture is he was greedy; he was covetous; he had anger issues; and he had an agenda. So how did he become “the keeper of the purse?” (John 13:29)

What I am seeing is this: You can walk with the Master, see miracles, hear sermons, be given power to do His work, and still NOT know Him! (Mark 6:7) I must check my motives, let go of my own agenda; I must not become smug when prayers are answered and the Lord uses me in some way. Most importantly, I must guard my heart from the enemy who will use ANYONE or ANYTHING to thwart Jesus.

A Kiss

Judas commits the ultimate betrayal when he points out who Jesus is with a KISS! A KISS! A kiss is a symbol of love, honor, respect. It is a common greeting of friends and family. Jesus knew Proverbs 27:6. Jesus confronted Judas head on about his betrayal using a kiss. (Luke 22:48)

Lessons

The biggest lesson Judas’ life is teaching me is remorse is not repentance. A “feeling of regret and guilt” filled Judas but his actions could not undo the wrong. (Matthew 27:3-5) Repentance is “a sincere regret” and requires a change of mind, behavior, and requires seeking forgiveness. Jesus said it would have been better for Judas to have never been born. (Matthew 26:24) How awful but true for because Judas never sought forgiveness he was doomed to spend eternity with the one he served: Satan. Judas ended his life by taking his own life. (Matthew 27:5, Acts 1:18)

Being a friend of Jesus is not easy. It demands a decision to give up one’s own agenda, to allow Jesus to call the shots of your life, and to follow Him even unto death. I see a lot of Judas in me. Sadly, I too, at times, want the power, blessings, miracles, and notoriety but when He fails to march to my drum beat I become attitudinal, disheartened, disenchanted, and downright angry. To be a true friend of Jesus I must Submit my will to His: Trust His plan, His timing, His purposes.

Judas Iscariot, even in your life and death, God has used you to teach a valuable lesson to those of us who desire to follow Him, truly. Thank you God for including even one like Judas in Your Word and not sugarcoating the truth. Even the life of one who did not serve You, has served You in my life. This was God’s will.

Yvonne Jones

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCRrrP0EhPc

God’s Will by Martina McBride

What Breaks Your Heart?

https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2019/08/27/what-breaks-your-heart/