One of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests. . . .

— Matthew 26:14

Sometimes I like watching TV shows about police, lawyers, investigators, and criminals. It can be intriguing to try to figure out a person’s motive for committing a crime. Sometimes, even long after you can tell who the villain is, the motive is unclear till the very end of the story.

I wonder sometimes what motivated Judas to betray Jesus. Was it greed? Was it power? Had he been hoping for an important place in Jesus’ kingdom, then learned that Jesus wasn’t about worldly power, and then decided to switch sides and join Jesus’ enemies for a chance at power instead? Or was his motive maybe altruistic, as in knowing what Jesus had to do—go to the cross and die—and then trying to help that along? Or did Judas perhaps simply not like Jesus and the other disciples and decide he was done with it all? We don’t really know.

Sometimes I wonder about my own motivations too. Why do I follow Jesus? Why do I do anything that I do on a daily basis?

It’s important for all of us to examine our motivations from time to time. We need to look at the things we do and make sure we are doing them for the right reasons. Being motivated by love, care, compassion, or purpose is good. Being motivated by greed, personal ambition, or hate is not.

What motivates you?

Dear God, help us to identify and understand our motives. Help us to act in line with your love in everything we do. Amen.