Reflecting on Matthew 26:14-16
“One of the twelve … went to the chief priests.” (Matthew 26:14)
As a Jesus follower, I am also in a sense “one of the twelve”.
Not the original twelve, but those following with and after them.
It is easy to look down on Judas and say, “shame on you!”
Judas was disappointed with the way Jesus did the ‘messiah’ thing.
He was expecting greater things, more action and more benefits.
He thought following Jesus would make his life better.
Turning to the religious leaders was an act of faith.
He had more confidence in their ‘way’ than the Jesus Way.
It is true, the Jesus Way is not a way to power and wealth.
It stresses giving, not receiving; serving and not being served.
Sadly Jesus followers through the ages have betrayed the Jesus Way.
They’ve put their confidence in the religious way, to serve themselves.
Using God and religion to make themselves great, and to hand others over.
As I say, it is easy to shame Judas, but where do we betray Jesus.
Maybe not in our religious talk, but in our actual behaviours?
By putting my comfort or advantage before others?
By using my religion to help myself and harm others?
When I hinder or harm others, I hinder and harm Jesus!
Judas looked for an opportunity to advance his own way.
I need to be just as focused as him, but in the opposite way.
As a Jesus follower I also look for the opportunities.
Opportunities to bless, to serve, to show mercy, to be helpful.
This is what it should mean for me to be “one of the twelve”.
Lord Jesus, thank You for not shaming me (as I’ve done to Judas). Thank You for gently and graciously nudging me to reflect on the ways I may be betraying You.
Give me the focus to look for opportunities to deliver Your love and goodness to others, not for my gain but for theirs.