Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."
Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Matthew and Nathaniel! Names we know very well. Though almost 2,000 years have passed, parents are still naming their children after these apostles.
And we know the name of Judas too. Although we don’t know anyone with that name today! That’s because Judas betrayed his friend.
The name Judas evokes thoughts of deception, guile and fraud. His name is synonymous with traitor.
For three years Judas followed Jesus. He was one of the twelve in Jesus’ inner circle. Jesus even trusted him with the group’s money.
How could Judas hear all the wonderful words of Jesus, see all Jesus’ miracles and turn against Him in the end?
Many ideas have been advanced over the years to explain Judas’ treachery. Perhaps he became disillusioned when it became clear Jesus was not going to establish an earthly kingdom. Maybe Judas had faith in the beginning but lost it somewhere along the way.
It is possible Judas never really came to personal faith in Jesus at all.
Maybe what really scares us about Judas is that one so close to Jesus could turn from Him. How is that possible? And if it happened to him, could it possibly happen to us?
Could we lose our faith in Jesus?
However it happened, Judas drifted. Allowed his mind to turn from Jesus and in his distraction finally did what earlier might have seemed unthinkable to him.
All the more reason for students of Jesus not only to pay close attention to the Teacher, but also to guard their own hearts!
"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
ReplyDeleteJesus warns them. They all run away in the garden. They are all in hiding after the crucifixion. They don't understand what has happened - but Jesus warned them.
Jesus has warned His students today of many things: We will face persecution. We will face trials and troubles. We will not be accepted by the world. we will be hated by the world. Even from within congregations of His students, false prophets would arise and wolves in sheeps clothing.
We have been warned - yet how do we react when tough times arise?
Do we loose heart? Loose faith? Have our faith shaken at least? Question why and how and what for?
Remember when these things do happen - Jesus has warned us. And for those who remain faithful even unto death Jesus will give a crown of life. (Rev 2:10)