Lent series; 3/9/11 People of the passion Judas
Ash Wednesday
3/9/11
Text: Luke 22:1-6; John 12:4-6
Title: Judas, the Opportunist
We have gathered here today once again to meditate on Jesus’ passion which culminated in his death on the cross. The passion of Jesus Christ is all about people. Jesus suffered and died for all kinds of people. All kinds of people had a hand in his suffering and death. All kinds of people were there.
Each Wednesday during Lent we will take a closer look at different people involved in Jesus’ passionToday, we look at the infamous Judas Iscariot. We have questions: “How,” we ask, “Could Judas be one of Jesus’ trusted disciples and then deliberately turn him over to his enemies to suffer and die? How could he do it? What can we learn from this man who was the devil’s pawn?” As I have studied the text it would be appropriate to call him Judas, the opportunist. He could take charge of things. He more than likely was looking for the easy route to fame and fortune.
When Judas joined with Jesus and the other disciples, he likely saw his opportunity to be in on the ground floor of something big. Imagine him thinking: “This Jesus is someone whose cause I can promote. Here may be the Jewish Messiah who would emerge as the new ruler who would like King David restore the Jewish people to the great people they once were.”
Judas knew he was on the right track. There were the miracles, the crowds of people, the growing numbers of regular followers. He saw what Jesus could do. He saw some of Jesus’ power and glory. There was no doubt he was on the right track. He was going to hitch his wagon to the star, the one with a bright future, the man Jesus.
The other disciples welcomed Judas. They saw in him an able and prudent man and a good administrator. They made him the treasurer and manager of their common purse. He fit in well with the group and shared their zeal for Jesus’ cause. The Jesus movement was under way for Judas, and everything looked promising.
We can’t help but wonder why Jesus ever let Judas become one of his closest disciples. For after all we know that Judas was the man who would do anything to satisfy his selfish ambitions. Why would Jesus take this political opportunist and potential traitor into his confidence and include him among his most intimate followers? Surely he knew what Judas would become unless it truly is, as some believe Judas’s destiny and he had no choice in the matter.
He would do it because of his remarkable love and mercy. Jesus came to save all sinners including all of his disciples which included Judas. But sadly Judas, turned away from the opportunity and turned instead to the way of destruction.
It all started quite well. Judas was a zealous supporter of Jesus. He certainly was not the only disciple with flawed thinking at the start. The question is how did he become so hostile? As you read the account of Judas’ deed you see that it was ambition that drove him. Ambition had a heavy grip on Judas’ heart. Imagine the disillusion he must have felt as, step-by-step, he saw his ambitions disappointed by Jesus himself. It could not have taken long for Judas to realize that Jesus had never once intended to establish a kingdom on this earth.
Look at what had happened during the time he became a disciple; John the Baptist was beheaded and not avenged. Instead, Jesus left the area. A groundswell of people wanted to make Jesus a bread king, and again he withdrew. When the Pharisees challenged Jesus to show a sign of his authority Jesus didn’t capitalize on the moment. How was he ever going to be a mighty king acting that way?
Instead, Jesus talked increasingly of shame and death. Jesus stressed more and more the moral and spiritual aspects of his kingdom. Towards the end the people began to desert him. Judas saw it all with growing dismay. He did not necessarily hate Jesus, but he began to see him as a deluded failure with some mysterious but ill-used powers. He began to plan how he, Judas, could salvage something from the unhappy course of events.
Judas’ spiritual life quickly deteriorated. He tottered on the brink and then fell into the beckoning abyss of hell. He tried to hold on to something, but having refused Jesus’ teaching, he could clutch only the misdirected passion of his own soul. One day, we don’t know when, he started down that slippery slope of rejecting Jesus.
Satan entered his heart and Judas whose heart had become hardened that even after sharing in the Passover meal he went to negotiate his despicable deed. Jesus is going to fall, that is certain. Why not make a little money before it all collapsed.
Judas’ faith had died, but not his conscience. Tormented by what he had done, he tried to return the money, but he did not look to Jesus for forgiveness. It was too late to change what was going to happen, the wheels of injustice were set in motion. But it was not too late to turn back to Jesus. Jesus never left him, never denounced him, but Judas would not turn back to him. Jesus still had room for him, but he had no room for Jesus. Satan had claimed him, and in despair; even before the verdict was passed to crucify Jesus Judas plunged into eternity at the end of a rope.
As we look back, we see the tragic irony of Judas’ case. Jesus offered everything Judas wanted, but Judas could not see it. Judas wanted fame, social approval, prestige. Jesus offered him lasting fame as one of the Twelve, the friendship of the angels, the love of God. Judas wanted a position worthy of his talents. Jesus offered to make him a child of God and a steward of the mysteries of God. Judas wanted earthly security and wealth. Jesus offered him eternal life, the forgiveness of sins, and the riches of heaven. Judas wanted Jesus, but only on his own terms.
Haven’t we all had our moments when we stood where Judas once stood wanting Jesus on our terms? Weren’t the times when storms of doubt shook our very souls? Remember those time when our personal passions and self-will tried to sweep us away from Jesus. But his voice called us back before we slipped and plunged headlong as Judas did.
Even now we are not immune from the errors of Judas. We by nature are fixed on our earthly welfare. Health and prosperity, prestige and power are high on the list of blessings we want. And some of today’s so-called evangelists even tell us we ought to expect those things from Jesus. We find it easy, like Judas, to want this world’s benefits from Jesus, forgetting that he already has given us much more. Looking to earth, we ignore heaven.
However, by the grace of God, we leave the way of Judas for the way of Jesus. We have security. God’s Word tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). We have peace: “My peace I give you,” says Jesus (John 14:27). We have the strength of God on our side: “I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). We have love and comfort with Jesus.
Jesus died burdened with Judas’ sin and with our sins. He suffered the punishment for Judas’ sin and for our sins. He died in Judas’ stead and in our stead. He paid the full cost of redemption for Judas and for us. But Judas got nothing because he refused to trust. We have everything, everything; when we trust in Jesus. Amen.
3/9/11
Text: Luke 22:1-6; John 12:4-6
Title: Judas, the Opportunist
We have gathered here today once again to meditate on Jesus’ passion which culminated in his death on the cross. The passion of Jesus Christ is all about people. Jesus suffered and died for all kinds of people. All kinds of people had a hand in his suffering and death. All kinds of people were there.
Each Wednesday during Lent we will take a closer look at different people involved in Jesus’ passionToday, we look at the infamous Judas Iscariot. We have questions: “How,” we ask, “Could Judas be one of Jesus’ trusted disciples and then deliberately turn him over to his enemies to suffer and die? How could he do it? What can we learn from this man who was the devil’s pawn?” As I have studied the text it would be appropriate to call him Judas, the opportunist. He could take charge of things. He more than likely was looking for the easy route to fame and fortune.
When Judas joined with Jesus and the other disciples, he likely saw his opportunity to be in on the ground floor of something big. Imagine him thinking: “This Jesus is someone whose cause I can promote. Here may be the Jewish Messiah who would emerge as the new ruler who would like King David restore the Jewish people to the great people they once were.”
Judas knew he was on the right track. There were the miracles, the crowds of people, the growing numbers of regular followers. He saw what Jesus could do. He saw some of Jesus’ power and glory. There was no doubt he was on the right track. He was going to hitch his wagon to the star, the one with a bright future, the man Jesus.
The other disciples welcomed Judas. They saw in him an able and prudent man and a good administrator. They made him the treasurer and manager of their common purse. He fit in well with the group and shared their zeal for Jesus’ cause. The Jesus movement was under way for Judas, and everything looked promising.
We can’t help but wonder why Jesus ever let Judas become one of his closest disciples. For after all we know that Judas was the man who would do anything to satisfy his selfish ambitions. Why would Jesus take this political opportunist and potential traitor into his confidence and include him among his most intimate followers? Surely he knew what Judas would become unless it truly is, as some believe Judas’s destiny and he had no choice in the matter.
He would do it because of his remarkable love and mercy. Jesus came to save all sinners including all of his disciples which included Judas. But sadly Judas, turned away from the opportunity and turned instead to the way of destruction.
It all started quite well. Judas was a zealous supporter of Jesus. He certainly was not the only disciple with flawed thinking at the start. The question is how did he become so hostile? As you read the account of Judas’ deed you see that it was ambition that drove him. Ambition had a heavy grip on Judas’ heart. Imagine the disillusion he must have felt as, step-by-step, he saw his ambitions disappointed by Jesus himself. It could not have taken long for Judas to realize that Jesus had never once intended to establish a kingdom on this earth.
Look at what had happened during the time he became a disciple; John the Baptist was beheaded and not avenged. Instead, Jesus left the area. A groundswell of people wanted to make Jesus a bread king, and again he withdrew. When the Pharisees challenged Jesus to show a sign of his authority Jesus didn’t capitalize on the moment. How was he ever going to be a mighty king acting that way?
Instead, Jesus talked increasingly of shame and death. Jesus stressed more and more the moral and spiritual aspects of his kingdom. Towards the end the people began to desert him. Judas saw it all with growing dismay. He did not necessarily hate Jesus, but he began to see him as a deluded failure with some mysterious but ill-used powers. He began to plan how he, Judas, could salvage something from the unhappy course of events.
Judas’ spiritual life quickly deteriorated. He tottered on the brink and then fell into the beckoning abyss of hell. He tried to hold on to something, but having refused Jesus’ teaching, he could clutch only the misdirected passion of his own soul. One day, we don’t know when, he started down that slippery slope of rejecting Jesus.
Satan entered his heart and Judas whose heart had become hardened that even after sharing in the Passover meal he went to negotiate his despicable deed. Jesus is going to fall, that is certain. Why not make a little money before it all collapsed.
Judas’ faith had died, but not his conscience. Tormented by what he had done, he tried to return the money, but he did not look to Jesus for forgiveness. It was too late to change what was going to happen, the wheels of injustice were set in motion. But it was not too late to turn back to Jesus. Jesus never left him, never denounced him, but Judas would not turn back to him. Jesus still had room for him, but he had no room for Jesus. Satan had claimed him, and in despair; even before the verdict was passed to crucify Jesus Judas plunged into eternity at the end of a rope.
As we look back, we see the tragic irony of Judas’ case. Jesus offered everything Judas wanted, but Judas could not see it. Judas wanted fame, social approval, prestige. Jesus offered him lasting fame as one of the Twelve, the friendship of the angels, the love of God. Judas wanted a position worthy of his talents. Jesus offered to make him a child of God and a steward of the mysteries of God. Judas wanted earthly security and wealth. Jesus offered him eternal life, the forgiveness of sins, and the riches of heaven. Judas wanted Jesus, but only on his own terms.
Haven’t we all had our moments when we stood where Judas once stood wanting Jesus on our terms? Weren’t the times when storms of doubt shook our very souls? Remember those time when our personal passions and self-will tried to sweep us away from Jesus. But his voice called us back before we slipped and plunged headlong as Judas did.
Even now we are not immune from the errors of Judas. We by nature are fixed on our earthly welfare. Health and prosperity, prestige and power are high on the list of blessings we want. And some of today’s so-called evangelists even tell us we ought to expect those things from Jesus. We find it easy, like Judas, to want this world’s benefits from Jesus, forgetting that he already has given us much more. Looking to earth, we ignore heaven.
However, by the grace of God, we leave the way of Judas for the way of Jesus. We have security. God’s Word tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). We have peace: “My peace I give you,” says Jesus (John 14:27). We have the strength of God on our side: “I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). We have love and comfort with Jesus.
Jesus died burdened with Judas’ sin and with our sins. He suffered the punishment for Judas’ sin and for our sins. He died in Judas’ stead and in our stead. He paid the full cost of redemption for Judas and for us. But Judas got nothing because he refused to trust. We have everything, everything; when we trust in Jesus. Amen.
posted by Pastor Rhoads | 8:20 PM
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