Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…

Hebrews 3:15

Matthew 26-27 unfolds the story of the one who betrayed our Lord Jesus Christ.

Judas watched Mary pour the expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor” (Matthew 26:9). According to John 12, Judas spoke these words. What was worship to one was waste to another. He, the disciples’ treasurer, was focused on money, not Jesus. Was Mary’s extravagant worship the final act that turned Judas from Jesus? Following Mary’s act, Judas made plans to betray Jesus.

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus gathered with His disciples to celebrate Passover. Knowing Judas’ plan, Jesus announced that one among them would betray Him. Jesus set Judas’ betrayal in motion by saying, “What you are about to do, do quickly…” (John 13:27). Judas went out into the night. He went out into the darkness of unbelief.

Judas was a privileged man. He sat under the teaching of Jesus for three years. He heard the truth of Jesus. He saw Jesus’ power displayed through miracles. He witnessed transformed lives. Yet, he did not believe.

Perhaps you, too, have been privileged. You have heard the truth of Jesus. You have even seen lives transformed by Jesus. Yet, your heart and mind are set upon things of this world. You, like Judas, have rejected Jesus Christ as Lord.

After Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, Jesus called him “friend.” What went through his mind in those next hours? After Jesus was condemned, Judas was filled with remorse, declaring “…I have betrayed innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). His payment for the betrayal became worthless, and he ended his life in despair.

The story of Judas need not be your story. Go back to the truth of Jesus. Turn from unbelief and acknowledge Jesus as your Savior. He stands ready to receive you.

Praise to you, Jesus, the One sent by God not to condemn the world but to save the world (John 3:17).

Jan