Today In The Word - Moody Bible Institute Playing the Part: Judas Read Matthew 27:3–5 I have betrayed innocent blood. Matthew 27:4 When Frank Abagnale was at the airport one day, he noticed a drop box where airlines and car rental businesses dropped their cash for deposit into a locked receptacle. Recognizing an opportunity, Abagnale placed a sign over the box that read: “Out of Service. Place deposits with security guard on duty.” Then, standing beside the box wearing an outfit he had purchased from a costume shop, he gladly received the businesses’ daily cash deposits! Though Abagnale appeared one way on the outside, it was all a show, a sham, a lie. Jesus identified this type of hypocrisy when He called Pharisees “whitewashed tombs” (Matt. 23:27). And as we see in our reading today, this condition afflicted even one of Jesus’ own closest disciples. By all outward appearances, Judas Iscariot was a devoted follower of Jesus. Trusted to manage the disciples’ shared common purse, he was counted among Jesus’ twelve most valued confidantes. When Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, poured expensive perfume over Jesus’ feet, Judas protested. He demanded of Jesus, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages” (John 12:5). Anyone overhearing his outrage would naturally surmise that Judas was both committed to the wellbeing of the disciples and also cared about the poor! The real condition of his heart would only be revealed to all when he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (see John 12:6). The temptation to appear better than we really are was not exclusive to Judas. He had daily access to the Savior who could transform him, yet he chose to pretend to love Jesus while he pursued money instead. For Judas, what he truly was inside was eventually revealed to all the world. Do you present an appearance that you’re someone other than who you really are? Do you save ugly rage toward family members until you’re behind closed doors? Do you fluff up the cash you drop into the offering plate for the eyes of others? Rather than condemning, Jesus invites you to come clean about who you really are and receive forgiveness.
Posted on: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 10:02:33 +0000
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