Judas was a thief. He was greedy, a liar and consistently chose his own comfort and well being over others. Being the treasurer for Jesus’ little band of disciples gave him ample opportunity to line his own pockets while maintaining his religious disguise. He wasn’t in it for the ministry, he was in it for what it could bring him.
Even with that, why would he betray Jesus?
I think there are several reasons. First of all, Judas, like the other disciples, thought that He had come to overthrow the Roman government. If Jesus did that, then as treasurer, Judas would have a pretty cushy job in this new government. Secondly, when Judas finally realized Jesus’ ministry was spiritual rather than political, his dreams of wealth, power and prestige evaporated, leaving him disillusioned. Finally, the tipping point was most likely when Mary poured her perfume out on Jesus’ feet. Instead of rebuking her for wasting a year’s salary, Jesus had the audacity to actually praise her.
We might feel a bit sorry for Judas at this point. After all, Jesus knew this would happen, didn’t He? There are people who believe it was even a bit unfair because Judas almost seemed destined to betray Him, but we have to remember, Judas had a choice. Yes, Jesus knew it would happen, but ultimately Judas chose his own destiny.
How?
By making choices, every day, to sin. He planned, schemed and lied his way into that fateful day. His choices opened him up to Satan’s influence, and led him down a path that he realized, at the end, he didn’t want to go down but was powerless to stop. His remorse came too late, and instead of repenting, he chose suicide over forgiveness.
What I learned? That evil plans and hidden motives will leave me open to being used by Satan for even greater evil. That nothing I do in secret will be hid, and every action, whether for good or bad, brings consequences that can’t always be reversed or altered, no matter how painful they may be or who they might affect.
I also learned that despite my failures, my wrong choices, my willful sin…Jesus is waiting to forgive me. He would have forgiven Judas just as He forgave the other disciples for abandoning Him, and even though his repentance would’ve come too late to save Jesus, that’s okay.
Because, after all, that is why Jesus chose to die.