John 13:21-30 21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” 22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” 25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
Matthew 16:14-16 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 27:5-7 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.
SOAP – Matthew 16:14-16
Judas Iscariot walked with Jesus, witnessed His miracles, and heard His teachings, prophecies, and warnings. Yet Judas did not belong to Jesus. Jesus knew Judas’ heart and knew His betrayal would fulfill Old Testament prophecy. Although Judas regretted his decision to betray Jesus, regret is not repentance. Judas did not seek forgiveness for his sin and reconciliation with God. His refusal to repent demonstrated his disbelief in Jesus as the Messiah and living Son of God.
To what lengths will you go to know Jesus? To what lengths will you go to share Jesus? When we draw near to Jesus, we will gain a humble clarity about ourselves and our desperate need for Him.
Father God, I thank You for Your love and passionate pursuit of me. Lord, help me to keep You elevated as the source of my love and devotion. Give me a hunger and a thirst to know You more through Your Word and to humbly obey Your commands. In Jesus’ name. Amen.