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A Legacy of Judas

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray Him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”
John 12:3-5


O-o-o-o, Judas is a caring, kind-hearted, and generous man. Look, he is concerned for the poor like Jesus was! Judas was the keeper of the disciples’ moneybag, a trusted position, for sure. Judas Iscariot, a member of the Twelve Disciples who traveled with Jesus, ate with Jesus, was daily taught by Jesus, and occupied a front row seat during Jesus’ time here on earth. Judas’ motives just had to be pure with nary a sin in sight----right?

Well, John 12:6 tells us more about Judas’ “heart for the poor.” He did not say this because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief; as keeper of the moneybag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

Judas was surrounded by godly men and the Son of God, Himself, yet, selfishness was a huge factor in his life.  He wanted Jesus to be a conquering political leader who would free Israel from the tyrannical Roman rule.  Instead he was seeing Jesus being more of the prophesied Suffering Servant.  Judas saw his future hopes and dreams of being a member of a conquering hero’s inner circle fading quickly.

Every sin starts with selfishness.

Judas was on a downhill run—self-centered, self-absorbed, self-protecting, self-conscious, self-pitying, just plain selfish.

His self, self, selfishness set into motion a chain of decisions and consequences that lead to the betrayal and crucifixion of our Lord, as well, as his own death by hanging. He has since been the most reviled man in history.

What consequences of sin are you and I about to release (or unleash) through our misguided, self-centered, selfish motives?

Lord, let the lessons from Judas cause me to question my actions, words, and deeds before others suffer in the consequences of my selfishness.

Claudia Jackson

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