Betrayal or Love

14Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.  (Matthew 26:14-16)

Thoughts: It is apparent Judas was willing to betray Jesus even before he found out how much he could get.  There are numerous theories about why Judas would betray Jesus.  It is probably complicated and complex.
    John 12 points out that it was Judas who strongly objected to a woman pouring expensive perfume on Jesus, anointing Him for His death.  Judas objected that the perfume could be sold and the money- a year's wages- could be given to the poor.  Jesus pointed out that there was a place for such worship.  Judas had a secular view of religion- that it was only to help the poor.  He left out the idea of God- and God in Jesus.  His faith in Jesus was small.  Some take from "Iscariot" that Judas was a zealot who wanted to overthrow the Romans and Jesus did not seek to do that. 
     Thirty Pieces of silver was the price an owner was given for a slave gored by an ox (Ex. 21:32).  Zechariah prophecies to the corruption of his people when the Messiah comes.  He prophecies the Messiah's worth for the people is the low price of a slave- and that money would be thrown in the potter's field.  Judas gave the money he received back to the priests who bought a potter's field with it (Mt. 27:3-10). 
    Judas watched for a chance to betray Christ.  There are many today who would betray their faith.  They betray their faith by speaking evil of it.  They betray their faith by degrading the church or holy things or even Jesus Himself.  Judas lived in terrible regret and remorse (but not repentance).  His pride persuaded him he could betray the best man he ever knew.  We should seek to love God instead of betray Him, and not be hesitant to love Him with heart, soul, mind, and strength.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to love you and not betray you.  Let my faith grow in love for you.