Matthew 26:14 "Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests"
It is easy to take this section of scripture and assume that Judas had no intentions in going to the leading priests because one day he just woke up and said, "Hmm I want to be the one who Jesus talked about and betray him". The thing that has to be noticed in the above scripture is the first word, "Then". You see something happened, "then" Judas went.
What happened? What was the event that led Judas to go and betray his Master?
It's easy to over look what happened right before this because now that we have chapters, verses, and sections, this portion of text is nicely titled as its own section; New Living Translation titles it 'Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus'. However, right before the 'Then' we know by reading that the disciples, Judas included, are with Jesus in Bethany at Simon the ex-leprous mans house and Jesus is anointed for his burial.
If you've been in church for awhile then you are probably familiar with the story of the Alabaster jar. The woman comes and pours expensive oil on Jesus and the disciples, including Judas and they get upset and Jesus stops them and commends the woman for what she has done. Well there it is, there is the straw that broke the camels back. When Jesus commended this woman for what she did Judas became jealous and 'then' went to the leading priests.
Why would Judas get jealous? Well knowing a little about Judas Iscariot we know that he was the one in charge of the treasury amongst the disciples. And because Jesus just commended this woman for using a very expensive product on himself instead of the poor Judas got offended. I could imagine Judas saying to himself, "I'm the one in charge of the treasury and this should have went through me first." See even people under authority can take their jobs a little too far. Jesus once said, "Is a student greater than their teacher or a servant greater than their master?" No. But sometimes Jesus will put people in positions and then do something out of the ordinary and we feel as if Jesus had to go through us first before doing what He wants to do as if we have the final word.
Jealousy is a very easy fruit that produces from the root of Pride. You see Judas was prideful of who he was before he became jealous. When we allow ourselves to think that we deserve the positions that Jesus gave us or that we know best or becoming boastful or proud in the work of ministry then jealousy is sure to follow. But when we realize that we do not deserve the positions that are given and at anytime Jesus just may change the flow of things on us, how will we react?
Sadly it happens so many times within the church. A person gets saved, discipled, and given the privilege of ministry. Once in that position they feel as if they deserve it and can do it better than anybody else. When their leader comes in with someone less qualified and commends them, jealousy strikes up because their pride has just been offended and now there looking for a way to betray them and kill their ministry! Judas caught on to this a little too late by the time he wanted to try to stop the process it was already too late and Jesus was handed over so he panicked and took his own life!
Don't commit spiritual suicide because your pride and jealousy lead you to take the life and ministry from your leaders. Jesus was the perfect man, but was still tried and crucified. How much more, if our pride and jealousy lead us, can we find fault in our leaders and cause a betrayal? Remember your place and your position. We are just servants to a Master.
Stop jealousy by killing your pride before your "Then" is a little too late!
No comments:
Post a Comment