The Snitch

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

Nobody likes a snitch, a turncoat, a traitor. But if you are reading about the Passion of Christ, that’s exactly what we run into, most likely on Wednesday of that week. Judas Iscariot is his name. He was a companion of Christ from the beginning of His ministry—a witness to the miraculous. He was one of the Twelve. A close friend. A trusted companion. And for what would have been a few month’s wages, he was the perfect traitor.

For centuries, Christ followers have pondered what some call “Spy Wednesday,” the day Judas stabbed Jesus in the back. And many have tried to rewrite Judas’ reputation, from turncoat to a victim of political manipulation. Sounds reasonable, doesn’t it? I mean, who would intentionally hand the King of Kings over to the sadistic Romans!

One reason for thinking that way is that the alternative is unthinkable. If a disciple, handpicked by Jesus Himself, could turn his back on The Way, The Truth, and The Life—God incarnate—then we could do the same. Judas’ betrayal exemplifies what we don’t want to think about ourselves—the reality of human depravity. If someone that close to Christ could do what he did, then what keeps us from doing the same?

Well, have I got good news for you! Judas’ tragic fall leads us to a glorious truth: Our security in Christ doesn’t depend on our own strength, but in the almighty power of the Holy Spirit who seals us [Ephesians 1:13-14]. That’s why we cling to the unshakable truth that our Lord keeps us from stumbling [Jude 24], and that NOTHING can separate us from the the love of God [Romans 8:38-39].

A great hymn explodes with this truth…

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love;

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it;

Seal it for Thy courts above.

Robert Robinson, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” 1757.

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand Him over.  Matthew 26:14-16