One Man’s Trash is Our Lord’s Treasure
Trash 1 - Judas’ Greed
The garbage man comes every Monday afternoon between one and three o’clock. It hasn’t happened for a while, but every now and then I forget to take the trash out. I hate that when that happens, because then I end up with a whole bunch of garbage bags sitting out by my garage, the neighborhood dog gets into it, and before I know it my trash is all over the playground area.
During these Lent services we are going to look at different men’s trash. These garbage bags contain a variety of things - greed, denial, anger, you name it. As we spread their trash out and look at it - it isn’t just to make us feel better about ourselves and slander their names. The Scriptures were given for our learning - so we can learn first of all what God did with their garbage, second of all what we can do with our garbage, and third of all how we can refrain from the same kind of garbage.
In our first lesson of this series, we are going to look at Judas trash - a bag full of greed. We’ll also see what he does with that bag of greed. The most important point for tonight is how -
Judas’ Greed is Turned into God’s Generosity
Judas was given many gifts. Matthew 10:1-2 says, “He (Jesus) called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Matthew 10:3-4 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” Judas - as one of the twelve, was enabled to drive out evil spirits - heal diseases and sicknesses - and preach about the kingdom of God. Anyone who would claim that Judas never really had the Holy Spirit - was never REALLY a believer - must either be blind or assume that Judas was a master magician. He had special gifts. Listen to what Psalm 41:9 says of him. “Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” He is called a CLOSE FRIEND of Jesus. These are not flattering words - for God does not flatter. They are true. Judas Iscariot - the only disciples from Kerioth in southern Judah - was a close friend, a trusted confidant of Jesus at the beginning of his ministry. On top of this, he was also given the responsibility as keeper of the money bag. (John 12:6) Judas was not listed as one of the former tax collectors - like Matthew was. Therefore, it seems they trusted him to use his God given gifts of money counting for the good of the kingdom.
At some point in his ministry however - it would appear rather early - Judas didn’t do well with his responsibilities. In John chapter 6, Jesus told the crowd of disciples that they had to “eat his flesh” if they wanted to enter the kingdom of God. As a result of this hard teaching, many people left. But not the 12. When Jesus asked them, “are you going to leave?”, Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” A wonderful response. Yet Jesus answered, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” (John 6:70-71) Jesus said that Judas - at that point - was a devil. Satan had already started to work strongly in his heart.
This weakness was displayed on Tuesday (Mark 14:10) of Holy Week. A woman came and poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet. It was over a year’s worth of wages. John 12:4-6 says, “But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” It then adds, “He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.” It makes you wonder why Jesus didn’t reprimand Judas for skimming money from the money bag at an earlier part in the ministry. It could be that in his humility he did not choose to know which disciple it was. As was the case with Pharaoh, sometimes God bears with great patience those who are dead set on evil - so that he can use their evil for good. But this time, when Judas and the disciples tried to reprimand the generous lady with the perfume, Jesus rebuked him. John 12:7 says, “‘Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied. ‘It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.’”
Whether it was the rebuke or the reference to his “burial”, we don’t know - but something seems to have set Judas over the edge at this point. After Judas had lived with his greed or disillusionment over Jesus for too long, Luke 22 actually says that Satan entered Judas at this point. It appears from all circumstances that it boiled down to just plain greed, since the Scriptures specifically mention this sin of Judas. Also - look at the way that Judas goes about his betrayal. Matthew 26:14-16 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. “How much is it worth to you,” Judas asked. He put himself in the situation of temptation - and solicited it himself. So the chief priests didn’t just verbally promise Judas the thirty coins - they counted them out - one by one in front of Judas - and specially set it aside just for him. You could almost see him salivating as each one was counted. All that seemed to matter to him from this point on was how he could get his thirty silver coins. We can see his garbage of greed clearly through the Scriptures, but the disciples didn’t see it - not yet.
It is especially despicable when those who are entrusted with the very things of God are not just drawn into temptation at the spur of the moment - but when they go out and seek the forbidden fruit. Judas did not have to allow Satan to get the upper hand in his heart. God’s Word says in James 4:7, “resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” But Judas didn’t resist. He allowed the devil in, and willingly sought what he could get from the chief priests for the betrayal of Jesus. Greed is a powerful thing. It’s the intense desire for more ME stuff - nicer jeans, fancier cars, bigger couches, you name it. But it can be resisted. You don’t have to have the newest clothes. You don’t have to have the fastest computer. You don’t have to have that new DVD that just came out. You don’t have to go to the Mall. Instead of spending yourself into debt every month, resistence says to greed, “I don’t have to have it.” If this is not done, you will soon find that there is nothing you “can’t have,” and everything you “must have.” It will take control of your life - guide your actions - set your goals. Like Judas - if you don’t resist it - you will find yourself willing to betray the needy and your own family in church just so YOU can have those extra luxuries that you’ve always wanted. The fact of the matter is that we often fall into this temptation far more often than we should. We love to go shopping. We love to save up nest eggs. We let ourselves be consumed by money far more than we should. Even in our Council and Voters’ Meeting the longest discussions come over the budget and spending! What greedy people we are!
Jesus wouldn’t let Judas go without a warning. Matthew 26:20-24 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely not I, Lord?” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Instead of publicly exposing the traitor, Jesus gave each of his disciples an opportunity to examine their hearts - to reaffirm to themselves that they would not do such a dastardly thing. With a strong warning he told them the grave consequences of such a betrayal. Because of the guilt that would accompany such actions - it would lead to despair and an inability to believe in the forgiveness of God. It would be better if he had never been born!
Instead of taking the warning, Judas proceeded forward. Leaning back against Jesus, John asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. When Judas said to Jesus, “surely not I?”, Jesus answered, “yes, it is you.” As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan again entered into him. “What you are about to do, do quickly,” Jesus told him.
Isn’t it sad when people are led into such greed that they don’t even listen to their own family warning them to cut back their spending? The creditors are coming, the bills aren’t getting paid. Yet instead of just cutting up their credit cards and learning to limit their spending, they are willing to risk any relationship and get angry at those who suggest they cut back. Instead of doing without, even as Christians we are willing to cut our offerings short and our responsibilities short just for the newest toys. Greed can also be a matter of time. Instead of spending much needed time with family, spouses and children are consumed with the television and internet and sports. These are things they could just “never” give up. So also, Judas went out on his greedy mission.
This whole bag of greed came out of the closet for the disciples after they had had some nappy time in the Garden of Gethsemane. Matthew 26:47-50 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” . . . but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” Judas kissed him. Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. When God said in Psalm 2 to “kiss the Son, lest he be angry with you,” I don’t believe this is the kind of kiss he was looking for. I’d rather kiss a frog than have a close friend betray me with a kiss - and for what - 30 pieces of silver!
The real sad part is in the response of Judas the day after Jesus’ death. Matthew 27:1-5 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Even from a sinful point of view - he didn’t enjoy one ounce of the silver. From the spiritual point - it’s even worse. The response of Judas is sad - yet Scriptures never express any remorse over it. It is probably because Judas was responsible for his own actions. He didn’t have to betray Jesus - but he allowed himself to be overcome with greed. When he finally saw his sin, he also didn’t have to respond by hanging himself, but he did. The truth is the truth. It would have been better if he had never been born. Now Judas is burning in hell - eternally. Why? All because of this garbage bag of greed that he let consume him.
What possible good could come from this? God’s Word says, you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9) Jesus allowed this selfish and greedy act to turn into His generosity. Instead of preventing this betrayal from taking place, He knew it would take place and allowed it to happen. Why? So that He could become the poorest Human being ever to live. Poverty is not just measured by how much money you have - but by how much ability you have - how much prestige you have - and how much love and acceptance you have. Up to this point in Jesus’ ministry he didn’t live with money or a place to lay his head. He had plenty of abilities to heal the sick and raise the dead. He walked on water, changed water into wine - he wasn’t exactly poor when it came to these things. He also had some prestige from time to time - like when he entered Jerusalem. He had love from His Father and his disciples - and also acceptance from them. But when Judas betrayed Jesus that night - Jesus gave it all up. He gave up all His strength, as He allowed Himself to be crucified. He gave up all His prestige, by allowing Himself to suffer a criminal’s death. Worst of all - Jesus gave up all of His love and acceptance which He had earned from the Father, by allowing Himself to be blamed for the sins of the world.
Why did He give all this up? So that we might become rich. Jesus wanted to give us the prestige of being known as God’s children. He wanted us to have the acceptance from God - the love of God - the riches of heaven. Through Judas’ terrible act of greed, Jesus was able to perform the greatest act of generosity. Jesus didn’t just give us 30 pieces of silver - He gave us His blood and righteousness. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:19 that, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. Jesus turned this terrible selfish act of garbage and used it to give the most generous gift this world has ever known or ever will know. It’s the gift of salvation through the redemption of Christ.
It’s unfortunate that Judas never realized this gift. He was so buried in his own selfishness and guilt, that he didn’t think Jesus would ever be so generous to forgive his sin. Another sad thing is that he went to the chief priests with his guilt. He threw the thirty pieces of silver to them. They were the chief priests! They were supposed to KNOW what to do with the guilt of the people - to put it on the sacrifices - to forgive people through sacrifices. If they had seen Jesus for what he was, they could have comforted Judas. But instead, they just threw his silver coins back in his face and said, “that’s your problem.” So Judas went away and hanged himself - even though he too was forgiven on the cross.
Who of us can really claim to be any better than Judas? God has every right to ask for 100% of what we make. But he doesn’t even ask that. He doesn’t even say how much. All He says is, “give me the first and the best of what you’ve got.” Yet when we compare what we give to the LORD and what we do for Him, compared to what we give to sports, friends, and work - is it our first? Is it our best? Or are we cheating God of his offerings? Are stealing from His treasury of gifts - and using them for our own welfare? We must confess, like Judas, we have betrayed Jesus in many ways - sold our time, our talents, and our treasures - to our selves.
Now here is the key question. As you sit there this evening with your thirty silver coins - what are you going to do with them? Don’t throw them to the chief priests. Don’t make excuses for them. Don’t try to hide them in your purse or under your seat. Instead, take them out, and throw them on THE Chief Priest - on the cross of Jesus Christ. Confess your sins to Jesus. Not only is he willing to take your guilt, he has bathed in it, and died with it, and been buried in it. In exchange, Jesus then says to you, “here - catch this!” As the bag of Christ comes sailing toward you and you try to catch it, out comes blood, pouring all over you. Out comes holiness, drenching you from head to foot. Out comes forgiveness - cleansing you of your greed. In this bag you find an eternity of God’s love and forgiveness. It’s the best gift of generosity we could ever have. All given to us through one man’s act of greed. One man’s trash was turned into our Lord’s treasure. I hope that you treasure it as well. Amen.
