Jesus hit Judas Iscariot with his answer in favor of Mary who anointed him with the perfume. Judas was resentful and hurt, for Jesus exposed him before everyone, especially that his teacher stood by the woman and blamed him. He heard in Jesus’ reply the hidden charge that his will was not to help the poor at all times, but to keep the money for himself.
Moreover, Jesus spoke about his imminent death. He spoke nothing about the development of the political kingdom of God, and the charitable, socialist, evolutionary appearance.
After that declaration, the expectations and dreams of the only Jewish in the circle of the disciples were broken. He saw Jesus’ authority and supposed he would profit from it. Jesus had chosen him and sent him out with the other disciples to preach, to heal, and to cast out demons, and he had experienced through these services that nothing could confine the name of Jesus.
In the beginning, Judas was enthusiastic about the person and the power of Jesus. But the Lord spoke more and more about humility, meekness, and contentedness. He did not train them in the triumph over the Romans, or in the administration of ministerial services, but he clarified his spiritual kingdom without armies and treasures, and without any mention of a life of ease and comfort.
Then, over and above, the highest court of the Jews officially declared throughout the country that Jesus was a false prophet, and a deceiver of the nation, who was regarded as rejected and outlaw, whoever followed him would be deprived of the nation and of the covenant with God, and that no blessing would come upon his disciples, but the wrath of God would follow them.
These thoughts prompted Judas to decide to save himself at the last moment, and to flee from the boat to revenge against Jesus and his disciples. As a Jew, he knew the place of the house of chief priests who had prepared a reward for him who gives guaranteed information about the person of the wanted Jesus. So, he came to them in his anger, entered spitefully into the center of the Jewish authority, and showed his preparedness to deliver Jesus to them immediately.
The chief priests were astonished to see a disciple from the inner circle, and an apostle called by Jesus. They considered his separation from Jesus’ movement as an encouraging sign suggesting that their threat had brought forth its fruits, even in the faithful followers of the Nazarene, also indicating the disappearance of the new doctrine. They became glad, and made the traitor understand that they would not give him an immediate reward for his report, but promised him with a tangible amount of money, as soon as he delivered Jesus personally. Under these circumstances, they would be prepared to sentence Jesus shortly before the feast, for they recognized that such an exceptional opportunity would never come again.
Since then, Judas began to think how to deliver Jesus without noise. The disciple did not play with the possibility of treason as a thought in his heart, but he planned willfully to cut off the head of the Christian movement, which did not help him to be a cash-keeper, or purser to the society. He loved in his heart to be fingering money; and now that there was money to be got on the other side, he was as ready to betray Jesus, as ever he had been to follow him.
Probably Judas intended to oblige Jesus in a meeting with the highest court of the Jews to proclaim unwillingly his power and merit with a definite miracle that the kingdom of God might appear suddenly through Judas’ trick.
Yet, he most probably betrayed Jesus out of his grudge, revenging against him in his anger, not by way of prudent planning. Satan entered into the called apostle, and made him a follower of the evil one (Luke 22:3; John 13:2, 27).
What a great falling and backsliding! Jesus’ chosen disciple who had been commissioned for service, and had passed the lessons of the Son of God hated his Lord after all that he decided to betray him with conscience.
We become sad at this changing and hardening in the heart of a man who had heard much of Jesus’ words, witnessed his works in our world, sensed his kind love, and experienced his heavenly power. Judas closed himself against Jesus’ spiritual edification. He followed him along with all profession of religion, holding fast to his own designs, without putting away his deep-rooted sins, thus becoming a symbol of a self-divided Christian who opposed the drawing of the Holy Spirit.
Dear reader, examine yourself where you are involved with thoughts and works against God, in spite of your faith in Jesus. Did you give up your money, your life, your excessive sensitivity, and your covetousness to authority to your Lord? Do you play with the heavenly expectations in earthly ways? Do not deceive yourself. God does not allow you to mock him. He wants you to be perfect and sanctified forever.