Jesus, Judas, and You

March 29, 2006

Dear Friend,

Last week we talked about the stress that Jesus was facing that last week before His arrest. The desperate leaders trying to find a way to arrest Jesus without a crowd around. Jesus trying to celebrate this last Passover with His disciples. The apostles continuously fighting for the highest position in the "new kingdom." And Judas hiding his little secret, trying to finish the deal by getting Jesus to stay in one area long enough for him to get the authorities there for the arrest.

So now they are at the supper table, and Jesus begins to work with Judas. Patiently, kindly, courteously. Jesus is ever working to get people saved, and Judas is no exception. Jesus could have simply whispered in his ear a few words, and Judas would have left, antagonized and alienated. Or Jesus could have blown his cover to the other disciples right away, and again Judas would have left, revengeful, bitter, and resentful. But Jesus begins to work with Judas ever so patiently in that upper room, a lot like He works with you and me today.

After the meal, Jesus makes a rather broad statement. None of the disciples fully knew what it was about, except for Judas. It's like one time when I was young and had forgotten to close the chicken coop for the night. Mother asked at evening worship, innocently enough, "I wonder if the chickens are safe tonight?" Nobody else appeared to notice the statement, but for me, it struck a cord deep inside, and I trotted right out and did my job.

So this evening, Jesus calmly says, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me." No one had any idea who He was taking about, except for Judas. I'm sure he suddenly had this overwhelming sense of, "Oh, no! He knows!" He could have confessed right then, and asked forgiveness. He could have whispered in Jesus ear, and stepped out alone, and confessed quietly, and none of the others would have ever known. But no, he stays stubbornly quiet. Have you noticed that's the way God still works with us today? He quietly convicts us. And we usually ignore the conviction and keep right on acting as if nothing happened. That's what Judas did.

So Jesus takes it a step closer to home. He shows that not only He knows, but tries to get Judas to see that what he's doing is absolutely despicable; it's going to ruin his entire life. Like that wife who apparently shot her preacher husband this last week in the South. Don't you pity her? I just wish there was someone who could have been there and said, "STOP! You are on the verge of not only killing your husband, but losing your precious girls, your reputation, and your freedom! STOP! There are other ways to deal with this!" But now, when it's too late, she is realizing that the problems she faced before pale in comparison with what she has to deal with the rest of her life.

And so Jesus speaks to everyone at that table, but He's really speaking directly to Judas: "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me." You see, in ancient times to violate the rights of hospitality marked a man as utterly beyond the pale of respectability. In Oriental lands even today a man will avoid eating at the same table with someone he may wish to take advantage of, or even with someone he does not wish to have as a friend. So what Jesus is trying to do here is again reach Judas' heart, and say, "Wake up! What you are doing is terribly wrong! Even hit men and enemies don't stoop to the levels you are going!" And Christ works the same with us today. As we continue on our headstrong course of wrong, He continually pleads and begs for us to stop. But we blindly press on, and only when it's too late do we look back and see all the times God was doing everything He could to get us to stop and not ruin our lives.

But Judas didn't respond either. So finally, after a round of questioning by the other disciples, Judas finally feels that all eyes are on him, and he asks, "Surly not I, Rabbi?" Dah! How blind can he be? After this whole conversation where Jesus clearly shows He knows about the plans, and Judas somehow thinks Jesus missed the part about who was to play the role in the betrayal? But that's what sin does. It makes one blind, and you just keep on going down the road, not aware of all the little signs shouting out , "Wrong way!"

But again we see how Jesus is so patient and loving, still trying to reach Judas' heart. Jesus doesn't respond sarcastically or angrily, but simply says, "Yes, it is you." And Judas gets up and storms out.

You know, when all is said and done, and every case comes up in the judgment and the final verdict is in, no one will be able to say that God acted wrongly. Or rashly. Or that He wasn't patient enough. Or that He didn't give enough time and love to anyone. No, just like in the case of Judas, God shows that He lavishes patience, and kindness; but the choice still ultimately remains with the person themselves.

And just as Jesus took His time with Judas, and in the same way took His time with Achan in the Old Testament (you can read the story in Joshua 7), so He patiently takes His time with each of us today. Wooing. Calling. Convicting. Pleading. Prompting. Begging. Entreating. Imploring.

Practice listening for His voice. When you hear it, respond! It only gets quieter the more we ignore it. When you pray, ask for Him to convict you louder; and ask for that heavenly eye ointment so you can truly see. He wants to help you now!

I'm praying for you!

Mark

P.S. Check out these verses in your worship time this week: Matthew 26:1-30; Hebrews 3:12-19; Revelation 3:14-22; 2 Peter 3:9, 10.