Do you know your Judas?

My friends long ago I heard a saying from a man of God that if we are following Lord JESUS, then truly there will be three people found in our life i.e. A Peter to deny You, A Pilate to crucify You and A Judas to betray You.

Yes Lord chose 12 Apostles and HE very well knew that Judas Iscariot would betray HIM. In-spite of knowing HIS fate JESUS still preferred to select Judas to be an apostle. This was mainly done to fulfill the will and plan of God for HIS life.

What were the qualities that Judas had, (that are mentioned in the scriptures)that finally led him to betray the Lord.

John 12:6 

 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

Even though he was an apostle of Lord JESUS still he is mentioned as a thief. He was appointed as a treasurer (to handle the money among the disciples of the Lord) by the Lord. He had this habit of taking the money secretly from the money box that he carried. Lord knew everything but still Lord gave him the chance and tested his faithfulness.

John 6:64-65

 ^“…But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.  And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”

Yes Judas Iscariot was an apostle but he never believed in JESUS from his heart. He was attending every service that JESUS held but was never a believer or a born again Christian. My friends there re people who are always there in every prayer meeting or Sunday service or a church but never coming to the knowledge (or acknowledging) of the truth.

John 13:10-11

Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”

JESUS knew that the heart and the motives of Judas were not clean. Even though he followed the Lord along with other disciples but he never had pure intentions about the Lord. Bible says man looks at the face but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7)

Mark 14:11 

 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.

Judas looked for an opportunity to betray JESUS his master, for the sake of money(30 silver coins). My friends there are people in your life who will look for an opportunity to betray your trust and try to hand you over to the wicked people and bring much dishonor to your name. They will try to cause much harm in your life. It was the selfishness of Judas that led him to rebel against JESUS. Same thing happens even today, people with such mentality will easily betray the anointed ones. If you are one of those kindly don’t worry. Without the Cross there is no Resurrection. If you have been betrayed by your own then remember your promotion is due and its coming sooner than you think.

Matthew 26:48-50 

Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.”  Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?”

Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him

Judas kissed JESUS and then betrayed HIM. My dear friends people will behave sweetly and then cause you to be in trouble. JESUS through the gift of discerning of spirits knew HIS betrayer. It must be noted that Judas greeted JESUS first, then kissed HIM and then betrayed HIM. This is the pattern that almost every Judas in your life will follow, for that we need the gift of discerning to know the person. We need not judge that person as he is already judged. Also in the above JESUS addressed him as a friend, yes Judas pretended to be HIS friend but acted shrewdly for his own self interest and resulted in HIS betrayal. The one who betrays you will be from among you i.e. your close friends who portray themselves as anointed or as believers will manifest in due season.

There is a different perspective here regarding Judas. It is not necessary that Judas is a human, it may be in the form of addiction, evil habits, lying, faulty habits etc.

Judas will pretend to be your best friend in any form, It will stick with you till it betrays and finishes you. For example an alcoholic person will think alcohol as a friend but it turns out to be his Judas when the health suffers and the damage becomes irreversible. Similarly a person eating sweets loves to eat but ultimately when that sweet friend turns out to be a foe then the person comes to his senses. Every person has a Judas in his/her life but Do you know your Judas? Do you recognize it?

Luke 22:3

Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, who was numbered among the Twelve.

Judas 13:27

After Judas ate the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Therefore Jesus told him, “What you’re doing, do quickly.”

The above verse clearly says that satan entered Judas. Judas was working under the influence of satan which lead to the Crucifixion of JESUS. Even today the same spirit that influenced Judas works in the sons of disobedience and causes people to forsake the Lord and betray innocent blood. This spirit later caused Judas to commit suicide after he realized that he committed a big sin by betraying innocent blood. Sometimes it may happen with such people in life’s journey as well that as they realize their mistake they try to rectify but often it’s too late to mend the path and minimize the damage, so the devil tries to destroy their lives.

My dear friends there are things and people in our lives that can go to any extent like Judas (who sold his rights for just 30 silver coins). JESUS our Lord as per John 2:23-25 never trusted in anyone, even those who followed HIM. Betrayal is like deception. The devil himself has been a great deceiver from the beginning and works his ways through his agents against the anointed ones. Pray for the gift of discerning and beware of such people but at the same time do not be surprised by such people (1 Peter 4:12). Lord won’t let you down but will lead you and guide you on every step in JESUS name.