Why did Judas betray Jesus? There has been much ink spilled over this question throughout the years. Some say it was a matter of simple greed. Others broaden the issue, suggesting that Judas might have been frustrated by Jesus’ consistent refusal to use His miraculous power on behalf of His people. Some say that Judas’ betrayal was really just an effort to force Jesus’ hand, to provoke a confrontation so that Jesus would finally drive out the Romans and better the outward circumstances of His people. But whatever his motivation may have been, one thing is clear: Judas thought the things of this world were more important than his allegiance to Christ.

Of course, when you get right down to it, the rest of the disciples weren’t all that much better. They may not have sold Jesus out, but they all abandoned Him on the night He was arrested. Like Judas, they thought the things in this world are the most important, so, like Judas, they expected the Messiah to bring His people worldly success. So it’s no wonder they ran off and left Him – how could a man who was arrested and eventually crucified give them all the things they wanted?

So before we judge any of these disciples too harshly, perhaps we should also take a look in the mirror. Do we ever give up on Jesus when He doesn’t answer our prayers the way we think He should? Do we ever doubt His love or even His power when suffering comes our way? What would we do if following Jesus meant giving up any hope of wealth or security or ease?

What would you do if Jesus asked you to give up something precious to you – your car, your career, your comfort, your control? Would you prefer any of these gifts to the Giver Himself? If so, how is that really any better than those disciples who abandoned Jesus to save their own skins? How is that really better than Judas, who preferred 30 pieces of silver over faithfulness to Jesus? In this Easter season let’s take a close look at our true loyalties – maybe we need Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross more than we know.

Matthew 26:14-16 (ESV)

14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.
16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.