Most Christians would never think of being like Judas! He was the wicked Apostle that betrayed Jesus. He feigned friendship and love with a kiss, while secretly betraying our Lord.
Bible students have long struggled to explain how Judas could do such an act. But the Holy Spirit is pretty clear in the reason Judas betrayed the Lord. He was greedy! He was bowing to the god of more! He wanted more money and possessions.
Notice the Biblical description:.
- He was a thief! (John 12:4-6)
- He went to the Jewish leaders looking to negotiate an offer for betraying Jesus. He settles on a sum of 30 pieces of silver (Mat. 26:14-18).
- Peter describes him posthumously as receiving a field for the reward of his wickedness. He is alluding to the money being used to purchase a field, a “field of blood” as Peter describes it, after he threw it back in the temple (Acts 1:16-20)
Judas was motivated by greed and hunger for more physical possessions. He bowed at the altar of money (Mat. 6:24).
Many Christians must admit that they struggle with greed as well. They spend their lives consumed with having more! The church is neglected in their lives while they make this pursuit. Families are put on the back burner as husbands and wives spend their days seeking more. The self-storage business remains one of the fastest growing real estate industries. We keep collecting more and more stuff! Not that all of this is wrong, but it surely should caution us to check our hearts!
We would never betray Jesus by turning him over to be crucified! But we fall to the same sin that prompted Judas to betray Jesus when we yield to greed. We must fight greed through generosity, contentment, and maintaining a Biblical perspective on this world.
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You can study all of the Apostles through my workbook “The Twelve” available on Amazon for $5.99.
1 comment
Very True!