John 12:4-6-But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
Judas does not see any profit to any act of worship or service, that doesn't benefit him.
I'm sorry to say, but I've been in business meetings, when something has been voted down or water down (Given just a small of money) because it didn't benefit the ones, who were in the meeting.
I seen people get mad at something that the Church voted to do and the real reason they got mad is…It didn't benefit them!!
I have seen people (This why I bow my head during invitation, so I can‘t see them) wanting the invitation to be over with, they’ve already put up their hymnal, they are thru singing, because the invitation does not benefit them. (They are ready to get home to their pot roast, or watch a football game, or whatever!!)
They never realized that the decision that people make during the invitation, maybe eternal!!
If you are not careful, you can become the people, who when someone begins to talk about a outreach program, or missions, or some other service for the Lord, (And they might be asked to get involved, participate, or donate too) their eyes kind of glaze over, because it does not directly benefit them!!
These kind of people are not interested in long term, or outreach, or anything that will not affect them directly!!
As long as their being blessed, as long as their being ministered too, that’s all that matters to them!
I’m sure, Judas like the fact, that he was sent out preach, heal, cast out demons, (That made him feel like somebody, to feel important) but when Jesus would talk about sacrifice, servant hood, and the first being last, I’m sure it made him, uncomfortable.
If we are not careful, we can be so preoccupied with what benefits us, and forget about other people and their needs, and how God is going to use us in the plan to reach them!!
Luke 22:3-6-Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.
So he went his way
You see there are only two ways in this life:
Isaiah 55:8-9-“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
John 14:6-Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
If you are going your way, then you are not going His way!
Proverbs 14:12-There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
John 13:21-30-When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.
Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”
Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.
Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
What does this represent?
Jesus is saying by this act…Everything that you need Judas, comes from my Hand
He is saying the same thing to us…It doesn’t come from your ambition, your work ethic, your talents or gifts, your bank account, or what is parked in your garage, what ever we have comes from God!!
Matthew 26:20-25-When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”
And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?”
He said to him, “You have said it.”
And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?”
The disciples begin to look around and look at each other and look at themselves and asked the question “Is it me?”
We need to recognize the capacity within us, to betray Jesus.
We sometimes need to stop and make sure they were not betraying Christ….With our words and with our deeds, with our actions.
We can betray Jesus with our agenda, with our programs, with our plans, with our own ideas, with our motives.
Would you be so bold to say, “Lord if I'm the problem, then correct me!”
“Lord, if I'm a hindrance, then remove me from the situation!”
