• New Testament Reading: Mark 14:1-52
• Old Testament Passage: Proverbs 4:23
• Points to Ponder

“Judas Iscariot”

There has been much speculation as to what motivated Judas to betray
Jesus. Was it greed? Was he disillusioned? Did he fake his faith the entire
time or was there a breaking point at which time he gave up his faith? Did
Jesus not fit his idea of what the Messiah should be? Was he looking for a
position of power alongside a victorious military or political leader?

Regardless of whatever the right answers are, the greater question to me is this: How could a man be
so close to Jesus, be loved so unconditionally and yet be so unaffected by that love? Does this not
demonstrate beyond the shadow of any doubt that we are all free will agents in this world and that
we make our own choices. God used Judas’ decision to betray Jesus to accomplish his plan to save
mankind, but it was Judas’ decision.

We choose our own reactions to whatever we experience in life. Judas, in those three years with
Jesus, was treated with the same unconditional love that the others experienced. He saw his
miracles and heard his teachings and witnessed his life. Yet he still chose to betray Jesus! A man’s
heart can be so hard that even being perfectly loved for three years cannot change it. Wow!

• Questions to Consider: Are you consciously guarding your heart? What warning signs would
there be if your heart was hardening? What condition is your heart in right now?