I watch sermons during my downtime. Being unemployed, unfortunately I have had a lot of downtime lately. I was watching a sermon by Steven Furtick entitled, What are the Chances? I began thinking about Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus for 30 silver pieces. I began wondering about the value of 30 silver pieces today. Thankfully, we live in times in which I could find out with a few clicks. Apparently, 30 silver pieces is approximately $600 in today’s money. I don’t know about you, but $600 is a lot of money in my opinion. When your spouse is the only worker in the family, it’s a huge amount of money.
As much as I value that amount of money, would I betray Jesus for it?
I’d like to think I wouldn’t betray Jesus. I don’t know about you, but when I think about Judas Iscariot, I think pretty negatively. My face actually may even contort into something of a snarl. I may say his name as if it is acidic or bitter. So, as much money as $600 is, is it enough to betray Jesus Christ?
This whole question made me think of things differently. When I’m honest, I do betray Jesus. Every. Single. Day.
I realized every one of us, though, is Judas.
Let me explain. According to Google, one of the definitions of the word “betray” is to “be disloyal to.” When I’m honest, in this sense, I do betray Him daily. I betray Him when I do not respond in a loving way. I betray Him when I think negatively about my neighbors. I betray Him when I think more highly of myself and my needs than when I consider what He wants or needs from me. I betray Him when I complain about situation rather than when I praise and thank Him for everything, including the storms of life.
Do you?
Do you betray Christ, too, or is it just me?
You see, Jesus was on a mission. He knew He was here to free us from the bondage of sins (Acts 2:23, Galatians 4:4-5, John 6:38, John 8:42, and others). Judas definitely was disloyal to Jesus. Furtick said something that interested me. He mentioned how Jesus called Judas “friend” and told Peter to “get behind me, Satan.”
But, is there value of betrayal?
Jesus knew Judas and Peter would betray Him. He encouraged his “friend,” Judas, to go ahead; do it. He even shared with Peter how he would do it. Judas couldn’t live with himself after his betrayal. He could not repent and turn away from his selfish ways.
On the other hand, Peter struggled believing the Lord. This was not the only time Peter struggled believing Jesus. Yet clearly, despite his protests, Peter was disloyal to Jesus. Peter shows the humanness in all of us. No matter how hard we try sometimes, our good intentions don’t go very far. I think a key difference between Judas and Peter is Peter kept trying to please and glorify the Lord. He worked at repenting or turning away from his old ways.
Even though He knew these things, Jesus never stopped loving Judas or Peter. He didn’t withdraw from them or withhold affection. Jesus did not stop encouraging Peter.
He doesn’t stop loving us when we betray him, either.
In other words, Jesus remains constant.
Jesus used Peter to build His church. He reassured Peter that Hell would not overcome it, either. That is powerful! In the original Greek, Peter’s name is translated as “rock.” Consider this. Peter, a person who wavered in his faith, is considered by the Lord as solid, steady, and strong so much so that Jesus placed His confidence in him. That is, God still used Peter despite his betrayal, and He used him in a big way.
Guess what?
He can use people like you and me in our betrayals, too.
If you are anything like me and have been disloyal to Jesus Christ, do not fret. The value of betrayal comes in constantly working on improving yourself—not for selfish reasons, but for Savior reasons.
If you’re struggling with a negative belief system and believe that you have nothing to offer Jesus, I challenge that.
Point your life to God, our constant and True North. Read and study the Word. Find devotionals about your current situations and read them. Surround yourself with Christ-followers. Find ways to praise and worship the Lord no matter your situation. Do not fall for the lies that you cannot contribute to the Kingdom of God because of your past. As hard as it is to believe sometimes, you are worthy. As hard as it is for me, I am, too.
Yes, we are all Judas at one time or another, but look for the Truth. Turn away from your old ways of doing things and be made new. If you do, I truly believe you will find value in your betrayal.
#new #betrayed #betrayal #Jesus #FollowHim
dr. jason newcomb 
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