Betrayal of Jesus

(Mark 14:10-11)

Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve disciples hand-picked by Jesus to walk with him and assist in the ministry. But unlike the other disciples he was selected also for a separate purpose. And there are lessons we can learn from Judas that will help us today too.

Jesus said of Judas in John 6:70, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” Judas was going to betray Jesus even though he walked with him and was one of the chosen disciples to spread the word. But we also must understand that Judas was like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It was not apparent to the rest of the disciples that Judas had an evil heart. He was well hidden and disguised among the disciples and he did not stand out so that any of the rest could identify him as the betrayer.

When Jesus announced to them all that one of them would betray him, “…the disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.” (John 13:23) They individually asked “Is iy I” because they truly did not know who it could have been amongst them that was the likely candidate to do this dreadful thing.

This is how Satan works. He is the master of deceit and deception. He does work the “big evil” things as well, but his most insidious work is done in secret through lies, deception and half-truths. Paul wrote of the way the devil works among men in disguise and deception saying, “…such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surpise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.” (2 Corinthains 11:13-15)

Today we also will see the servants of the devil among us as Paul showed they were amongst the church in his day. Today the work of Satan through his people will continue to infiltrate the church so as to sway and deceive the people in the church to accept lies, believe falsehoods and to try and take them away from learning the truth. His mode of operation, like Judas, was deception, betrayl and deceit carried out in secret. Thus it is imperative that we gain a solid understanding in the word. We must learn the truth that will set you free. We must follow the sound words given by the Lord to his people and we must seek the truth and be guided by the Holy Spirit so we understand what the Lord is showing us.

As for these deceivers, they will become apparent. They are false teachers and wolves in sheeps clothing and they will be seen for what they are in due course. Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 17:15-20) And their fruits are their behaviours. For although they may look like sheep, they are wolves and a wolf will always act like a wolf. Wolves always seek to destroy and devour, but they are cunning hunters. These people are also cunning for they are well disguised, just as the devil disguises himself as an angel of light. But they will not remain hidden forever.

Thus we must watch and know that if a devil could infiltrate the twelve apostles selected by Jesus, a devil can also infiltrate the church today. Watch carefully so that you are not taken in by the smooth talking and cunning of such false teachers that only want to lead you away form the truth to serve them rather than the Lord.