The Gospel According to Matthew
Matthew 27: 1-10
Question of the Day: What are you most looking forward to about Summer?
READ: Matthew 27:1-10
Judas Hangs Himself
27 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2 So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”
So let's review about Judas:
1. What did Judas do? What was His responsibility?
2. What does Ellen White say about him, and who or what he would have been known as had these final events not happened?
3. What lead to his fall?
4. Was it a fall or was it just showing who he really was?
5. Did he need or want the money or was it something else he was going for?
Ellen White writes in Desire of Ages, "Notwithstanding the Saviour's own teaching, Judas was continually advancing the idea that Christ would reign as king in Jerusalem. At the feeding of the five thousand he tried to bring this about. On this occasion Judas assisted in distributing the food to the hungry multitude. He had an opportunity to see the benefit which it was in his power to impart to others. He felt the satisfaction that always comes in service to God. He helped to bring the sick and suffering from among the multitude to Christ. He saw what relief, what joy and gladness, come to human hearts through the healing power of the Restorer. He might have comprehended the methods of Christ. But he was blinded by his own selfish desires. Judas was first to take advantage of the enthusiasm excited by the miracle of the loaves. It was he who set on foot the project to take Christ by force and make Him king. His hopes were high. His disappointment was bitter."
What are some lessons, personal life applications we need to draw from the story of Judas?
Ellen White also writes, "Christ's discourse in the synagogue concerning the bread of life was the turning point in the history of Judas. He heard the words, "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you." John 6:53. He saw that Christ was offering spiritual rather than worldly good. He regarded himself as farsighted, and thought he could see that Jesus would have no honor, and that He could bestow no high position upon His followers. He determined not to unite himself so closely to Christ but that he could draw away. He would watch. And he did watch.
From that time he expressed doubts that confused the disciples. He introduced controversies and misleading sentiments, repeating the arguments urged by the scribes and Pharisees against the claims of Christ. All the little and large troubles and crosses, the difficulties and the apparent hindrances to the advancement of the gospel, Judas interpreted as evidences against its truthfulness. He would introduce texts of Scripture that had no connection with the truths Christ was presenting. These texts, separated from their connection, perplexed the disciples, and increased the discouragement that was constantly pressing upon them. Yet all this was done by Judas in such a way as to make it appear that he was conscientious. And while the disciples were searching for evidence to confirm the words of the Great Teacher, Judas would lead them almost imperceptibly on another track. Thus in a very religious, and apparently wise, way he was presenting matters in a different light from that in which Jesus had given them, and attaching to His words a meaning that He had not conveyed. His suggestions were constantly exciting an ambitious desire for temporal preferment, and thus turning the disciples from the important things they should have considered. The dissension as to which of them should be greatest was generally excited by Judas."
"Judas reasoned that if Jesus was to be crucified, the event must come to pass. His own act in betraying the Saviour would not change the result. If Jesus was not to die, it would only force Him to deliver Himself. At all events, Judas would gain something by his treachery. He counted that he had made a sharp bargain in betraying his Lord.
"Judas did not, however, believe that Christ would permit Himself to be arrested. In betraying Him, it was his purpose to teach Him a lesson. He intended to play a part that would make the Saviour careful thenceforth to treat him with due respect. But Judas knew not that he was giving Christ up to death. How often, as the Saviour taught in parables, the scribes and Pharisees had been carried away with His striking illustrations! How often they had pronounced judgment against themselves! Often when the truth was brought home to their hearts, they had been filled with rage, and had taken up stones to cast at Him; but again and again He had made His escape. Since He had escaped so many snares, thought Judas, He certainly would not now allow Himself to be taken."
Judas was a great leader! He wanted to see the events transpire as he wanted them to, and he was willing to do what he thought would make it happen. He was pushing or manipilating his vision, or dream of what should be. He may have heard what Jesus was saying would happen but he thought he knew better.
Have you ever thought you knew better, maybe not better than God, but maybe better than the church board?
Have you ever tried to "make" things happen?
Have you ever tried to get the last word in, to drive home your point?
Do we want to make things go the "right" way so much that we fail to sit back and let the Lords timing take place?
Maybe it is a simple thing, maybe a very personal thing. Do you have a hard time waiting on God? Waiting for His timing? Waiting for Him to transform us in His time?
Do we ever think that we know the plan, the direction God wants us going and when things don't seem to be going that way, do we force it instead of surrendering and trusting?
What are some other bible stories where we see great men of God trying to force it?
What traps do we run into when we try to push God?
1. Even if like Judas we are right, sometimes we end up missing it all.
Let me explain. Judas was right, that Jesus was going to set up a new kingdom, but he was so focused on the part of the truth that he wanted and because he failed to accept new understanding, he missed it all! He thought his way was the right way.
2. Not resting and waiting for God's timing, we end up betraying God.
3. When our focus is on our way, our time, us, us, us, we end up not knowing our Lord!
Even the greatest minds can miss it! Even the greatest leaders can fall!
I am a very hard headed stubborn woman who has spent a life time trying to control my world. What a strong lesson for me.
Who am I? Stubborn, hard headed and seeking the strength to wait on the Lord, to live surrendered everyday!
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