“Now, it is not an enemy who insults me—otherwise I could bear it; it is not a foe who rises up against me—otherwise I could hide from him. But it was you, a man who is my peer, my companion and good friend! We used to have close fellowship; we walked with the crowd into the house of God” (Psalm 55:12-14). The chief priests and scribes were looking for a treacherous way to arrest Jesus, and they found what they were looking for in the heart of Judas.
The chief priests, the scribes and Judas shared something in common -- they shared the same father. In the book of John Jesus told how to distinguish those whose father was the Devil. “You cannot listen to My words. You are of your father the Devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and had not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:43).
“Shining morning star (Lucifer), how you have fallen from the heavens” (Isaiah 14:12)! Why did he fall from the heavens? He had been the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and was made in perfect beauty. Satan had been an anointed guardian cherub. What happened? In his pride he said to himself, “I will set up my throne above the stars of God...I will ascend above the highest clouds; I will make myself like the Most High” (Isaiah 14;12-15).
Lucifer had been created to worship God. The chief priests were in a place of honor because they were to lead God’s people in worship. Jesus had warned about the scribes because they would go around in long robes and loved greetings in the marketplaces, the front seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. Judas had been chosen as one of Jesus trusted friends. He was the treasurer and had a seat of honor at the last supper. They each had been created to worship God, but wickedness was found in their hearts. They were all treacherous.
What was it that finally exposed Judas’ treacherous heart? His false worship was laid bare in the presence of true worship. Mary, in an act of worship, had broken the alabaster jar and poured out its contents, using the spikenard to anoint Jesus. Judas responded by going to the chief priests to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, the price of a slave. The chief priests, along with their father, were glad, hoping that what had been begun in ages past would now be accomplished.
Judas was watching, like a snake hidden in the grass, for just the right time to strike. The Passover meal would seem to have been the perfect time when Jesus would not be surrounded by a crowd. Judas asked, along with the other disciples, where Jesus wanted to eat the Passover. Jesus didn’t give a location, but instead He gave two of His disciples clues to follow that would lead them to their destination. Judas, much to his disappointment, was not one of the two disciples sent.
As they were reclining at the table, Jesus told them that one of the twelve would betray Him. It was only then that Judas left to go to the scribes and chief priests and finalize his plans. What sign did Judas chose for his betrayal? It was the treacherous kiss of false worship.
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