1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death; for they feared the people.

3 Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 Judas consented, and began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus to them in the absence of a crowd.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Marcy Saw

The first thing that stands out to me in today’s passage is the matter-of-fact way Luke describes Satan entering Judas Iscariot. At first, that makes me feel uneasy – could I be susceptible to being taken over like that, to the point of betraying or forsaking Jesus? But it’s helpful to remember that followers of Jesus have received his Spirit dwelling in us, which means Satan cannot rule over us. At the same time, it challenges me to continue putting to death sin, and to not give Satan a foothold in my life (see Ephesians 4:26).

We may not fully know Judas’ reasons for betraying Jesus, but the passage suggests that one motive might have been a desire for monetary gain. The danger of letting sin into our lives through the temptation of wealth and materialism is particularly strong for us living in Australia, and especially for those whom God has blessed with plenty. I constantly need to remind myself to find my security in belonging to Christ, rather than chasing the empty promises of satisfaction from worldly riches.

The second thing that stands out is how God achieves his purposes despite the sinful intentions of people and Satan’s plots. The chief priests were motivated by jealousy at Jesus’ popularity and fear that people would rise up to follow up him; Judas was driven by selfish gain, and Satan by his opposition to God’s plans. But it is God who orchestrates this scene and is in charge of its setting. The timing of these events near the Passover reminds me of God’s past deliverance of his people in Egypt from the angel of death. God is so great that he uses even sinful motives and Satan’s schemes as part of his plan to deliver us from the curse of sin through Jesus’ death for us.

Let’s ask God to keep guarding our hearts from the allure of wealth and the deceit of sin. Let’s also praise him that even when we fall short, his grace in Jesus is greater than our sin.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mercy is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.