20. Jesus on money teaches us to learn from Judas

This is the 20^th post as I attempt to visit everything (pretty much!) Jesus said about money in the gospels over 2 weeks. In order to do this I will be putting up around two posts each day. This is coinciding with a 2-week preaching series that we are going through at Community Church Putney- Jesus On Money.

Judas betrays Jesus for money

‘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 deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.’ 

(Matthew 26:14-16)

We all know people who have seemed to love Jesus only to turn their backs on Him. This can sometimes happen when He doesn’t live up to their expectations of Him. They had hoped that Jesus would do or not do certain things. Maybe His teachings became an embarrassment, or conflicted with how they wanted to behave or what they thought best.

I don’t think that Judas chose to follow Jesus in order to betray Him. I wonder if He followed Him with good intentions only for his true wicked motives and heart to be revealed as time went on; as it became clear that political power and wealth were not Jesus’ aims, Judas’ vile ambitions became clear and he sold Jesus for his ‘greater prize’.

Wealth can be a very power enemy and a highly seductive prize; none of us will ever be completely resistant this side of heaven. Whatever we may say about Judas, and there is much more that we could say, he didn’t listen to Jesus on money. He was not on his guard and so became the most famous traitor in history.

The parable of the soils describes him and speaks loudly to all of us.

‘The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.’ (Matthew 13:22)

Take a moment to ask God to search you: Are you disappointed with Jesus in any way? Has He failed to do and teach what you would have preferred? Specifically, do you have any disappointment in how He has provided in the area of finances? Let’s guard our hearts and confess again our trust, allegiance and love for Jesus.