By Martyn Ballestero
Just ten miles from Hebron and eighteen miles from Jerusalem was the little-known village named Kerioth. It was a haven for bandits, thieves, and highwaymen. People from the area were known to be assassins and murderers.
Into this environment a man named Simon raised his son Judas. In Holy Scripture, he was called Judas Iscariot, signifying that he was from the town of Kerioth.
Simon must have been somewhat responsible for his son’s raising and behavior. His name is always mentioned together with his son’s name. He was called Judas, Simon’s son.
We know nothing of the boy’s mother. What was she like? What kind of teaching did she give him as a boy?
By the time the scriptures introduce us to him, we quicldy see that Judas was outspoken and didn’t hesitate to disagree with what he saw.
“Why wasn’t this sold and given to the poor?”
That’s what he said criticizing Mary’s extreme sacrifice. But the Bible is quick to point out that he cared not for the poor but was a thief and that he held the bag. There was a reason that was said. Why would Jesus allow him to carry the bag?
As a Judean, he was a misfit among the disciples. The other disciples apparently were Galileans. He was no doubt a loner. He couldn’t let them see him sneaking money from the bag. He was a thief. I am sure that Judas had a less than stellar past before he met Jesus. Some Commentaries even call him a murderer.
The sad news is, that no amount of the preaching and confronting that Jesus did seemed to change Judas into a John The Beloved. The same is true today. If all the words and actions of Jesus could not transform Judas in the Bible days, then neither will our preaching and confronting convert a modern day Judas.
Thirty is the number of pieces of silver Judas agreed on to betray Jesus. There are thirty distinct and negative characteristics of a Judas. The Judas Iscariot of the Bible may be dead, but his spirit is still alive today.
HERE ARE SOME KEYS TO RECOGNIZE THE JUDAS IN YOUR MIDST
- Every Judas shows enough potential to be placed in a leadership role.
Judas was hand picked. He was allowed to be a privileged disciple. He was chosen to be in charge of the group’s finances. Confidence was placed in him.
- Every Judas thinks and acts like he owns his appointed position.
John 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? Every Judas loves to take the finances with him when he goes.
- Every Judas lives on a carnal level and is oblivious to the spiritual.
John 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
- Every Judas lets his true colors show at the wrong time.
John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
- Every Judas has a personal agenda that is separate from the leaders.
John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
- Every Judas gets disenchanted with his leader. He is willing to sabotage the whole thing if there is enough in it for him.
- Every Judas receives a warning from the Lord but continues anyway.
John 6:70-71 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
- Every Judas sees the same miracles and hears the same sermons but is unaffected, unconvinced, and unconverted.
Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. Peter talked about Judas in the upper room. Acts 1:17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
- Every Judas plans his move carefully. Matt. 26:16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
- Every Judas is an opportunist.
Matt. 26:16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
- Every Judas is driven by greed.
Matt. 26:15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
- Every Judas courts those whom he thinks can help his cause.
Luke 22:4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might
betray him unto them. A modern Judas may recruit his people with private meetings, private dinners, and Facebook likes.
- Every Judas possesses an evil spirit.
Luke 22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
- Every Judas can even fool his own friends and brothers.
John 13:27-28 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
- Every Judas gets his key players in place before he makes his play.
Luke 22:4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
- Every Judas gets a divine warning and still ignores it.
Matt. 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born.
- Every Judas should have been still-born. Matt. 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written
of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born.
- Every Judas gets revealed by the Lord and has a chance to repent. Matt 26:21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily
I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
- Every Judas lives in denial to the truth and deceiving himself and others.
Matt. 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
- Every Judas makes his move when he thinks the odds are in his favor.
Matt 26:16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
- Every Judas is a hypocrite.
Matt. 26:49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
- Every Judas is controlled and guided by Satan. John 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
- Every Judas displays false affection toward the leader.
Matt. 26:49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
- Every Judas is surprised when God still manifests himself in the midst of the betrayal. Luke 22:50-51 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
- Every Judas is temporarily happy.
He could go back to doing what he was doing before. He had brought Jesus down in his own mind to the point that he no longer believed in Him. He actually believed he could live with his choice.
- Every Judas has second thoughts.
Matt. 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
- Every Judas tries to appease his guilty conscience.
Matt. 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
- Every Judas wakes up to his horrible sin too late.
Matt. 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? See thou to that.
- Every Judas repents too late.
Matt. 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? See thou to that.
- Every Judas will hang himself.
Matt. 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
IN SPITE OF JUDAS
In Spite Of Judas – The Will of God was accomplished.
In Spite Of Judas – Jesus rose from the dead.
In Spite Of Judas – The Holy Ghost was poured out.
In Spite Of Judas – The Church was established.
In Spite Of Judas – Revival came.
In Spite Of Judas – The Gates of Hell did not prevail.
IN SPITE OF EVERY JUDAS TODAY
In Spite Of Every Judas Today – God still has a triumphant church.
In Spite Of Every Judas Today – The church will prosper and go forward.
In Spite Of Every Judas Today – The Glory will fall when the bad spirit is gone.
In Spite Of Every Judas Today – The church will rally and unify like never before.
In Spite Of Every Judas Today – Worship will be better than ever.
In Spite Of Every Judas Today – The Pastor will be loved more than ever.
Judas Was Replaced With A Man Named Matthias. His name means, “Gift of God.” There was a gift of God for the church back then. There will be a gift of God after your storm today.
Have You Had To Deal With A Judas? Take hope, your Matthias, your Gift of God is coming!
Martyn Ballestero is a well-sought-after evangelist in the UPCI and is an avid blog-writer, which you can view here.
