When We’re Not Listening

Posted by lyndacordle on Sep 9, 2009 in Daily Bread | 1 comment

In reading this scripture, I looked at the previous scripture, Luke 22:2 which reads, “The chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill Him (Jesus) for they feared the people”.

This seems to infer that Judas was okay up until that point – that it was the plan all along that Satan would enter him right then and because of the priests and scribes wanting to kill Jesus, it was only necessary then and Satan just popped right in! But I started looking at some previous information on Judas: In John 12:6, it references Judas: “Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.”

So Judas was already doing some selfish things which might have started out as a small sin at first. I know that when I do this, I try to “justify” what I am doing until it seems to become bigger and bigger and much worst as I keep continuing! My theory is that he was possibly doing the same thing. It might have started with a difference in opinion on some things while they were together. Possibly some anger over disagreements… I can’t imagine that in 3 years time, there weren’t any difficulties and struggles with the disciples’ relationships amongst each other. By the time it came to The Last Supper, perhaps Judas’ expectations of the way things were supposed to go overwhelmed him. Imagine starting out with a small sin, that over time starts affecting all of those around you, and when it finally blows up and the deed is done and the damage is caused, it’s too late to take it all back.

There still seems to be a debate about what truly happened to Judas afterwards but in Matthew 27:3-5, it states:

3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” 5 Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.

WOW – that would be the ultimate remorse – most times in my life, I can remedy the situation with those affected around me, repent and hopefully be forgiven and not do it again. But there was no “taking it back” for Judas.

In my research, I found some additional interesting articles on Judas’ background: some say the name “Iscariot” was actually entered incorrectly in the Bible and was really meant to say Sicarius” or according to another theory at http://www.gospel-mysteries.net/judas-iscariot.html (and other websites), “the name Iscariot comes from the Latin word “sicarius”, meaning “dagger-man”. The Sicarii were a group of rebel assassins who were resisting the Roman occupation of the country. Thus Judas might have originally been a member of this group. (The released prisoner Barabbas also may have belonged to this).”

So perhaps he was expecting Jesus to be more of a savior as a rebel against the government and the Romans than as our savior as we know Him. Either way, it seems that Satan can move in when we are not really listening to the Word of Christ – at least I know from my struggles and sins, it can be so debilitating that I cease to listen, feel that God doesn’t love me and keep “justifying” what I’m doing. Many times, I go to 1 Chronicles 4:10

10 He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.

I also add – “keep me from causing any pain or evil to others…”