Have you ever been afraid that God may not forgive you? God is love. He gives us many opportunities to fall into his loving arms of grace, but sometimes we miss out. Other times we may hold on to our bitter beliefs and pet doctrines that make us feel justified in our course. We don’t see (or want to see ) that our course doesn’t align with his grace, his glory, and his authority. This happened to Judas, I don’t want it to happen to me. Judging from the scriptures, it’s safe to assume that Judas had a love of money. While Jesus provided many teachings and opportunities for him to deal with it, Judas didn’t allow himself to be changed. To remain with Jesus and not change, he further strengthened his resolve to hold onto his love of money and betrayed his friend, savior, and his salvation.
“But when the [f](Judas started the discourse) disciples saw it they were indignant and angry, saying, “Why all this waste [of money]? For this perfume might have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” “But Jesus, aware [of the malice] of this [remark], said to them, “Why are you bothering the woman? She has done a good thing to Me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have Me. 12 When she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.”
Matthew 26:6-13
Chances to Change
In Matthew 26: 6-13, an opportunity arrived with the woman who broke the alabaster box and poured oil, equalling about a year’s wages on Jesus. Judas began the discourse of criticism toward the woman and even corrected the thinking rooted in the love of money over God, but it made Judas even angrier. Notice that it was right after Jesus corrected that thinking that Judas went to the priests to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
14 Then one of the twelve [disciples], who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Jesus over to you?” And they weighed out [a]thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment Judas began looking for an opportune time to betray Jesus.
Matthew 26:14-16
He Would Have Forgiven
Jesus knew that Judas would betray him. He even told Judas it was him in verse 25 of Matthew 26, but no one noticed. Not one of the disciples tried to restrain him. They were all wrapped up in their defense that they didn’t see the subtle exchange between Jesus and Judas. We can miss very obvious things when caught up in tragic, dramatic, or defensive thoughts and conversations. I believe that Jesus would have forgiven Judas had he asked. The last supper was an opportunity for Judas to repent, but he went on with the plan to lead to the kiss of death, Judas’ physical and eternal death, and Jesus’ path to the cross.
21 And as they were eating, He said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you that one of you will betray Me.” 22 Being deeply grieved and extremely distressed, each one of them began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?” … 24 The Son of Man is to go [to the cross], just as it is written [in Scripture] of Him; but woe (judgment is coming) to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.” 25 And Judas, the betrayer, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “[k]You have said it yourself.”
Matthew 26:21-25
The Take-Away
Jesus knows it all; he gives us many chances to change from our worldly loves to him, but the more we harden our hearts, the more difficult it is to change. When we hear his word about something (just as Judas sat under many teaching about the love of money), ask God to help and change these attitudes within us, and he’s so happy to help. Don’t miss it. It’s the only way we can avoid the kiss of death. Below is a new poem for you about this blog.
Poem
