LUKE 22:1–6
Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve
(Luke 22:3).
All of the Gospels discuss Judas’s betrayal of Jesus, but only Luke and John mention Satan (compare John 13:2). Luke is not seeking to excuse Judas’ act by blaming it on Satan. To what extent Satan “entered” Judas, Luke leaves unstated. Perhaps he simply means that Satan was able to make use of Judas’ already evil intentions. Or perhaps he means to imply some kind of conscious pact between the two. Nothing, however, takes anything away from Judas’ responsibility for this act of treachery.
Luke is silent about Judas’ motivation. John tells us that a day or so before he went to the chief priests, Judas said he was offended when Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with costly ointment, saying that it could have been sold and the money given to the poor. John also tells us that Judas pilfered from the purse and really wanted the money for himself (John 12:4–6). We can only speculate about what else might have been involved in Judas’s motivation.
Judas took the initiative to approach Jesus’ enemies. He went to the chief priests and other temple officials and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to pay him to do this evil deed. Surely this was the most unholy pact any group of men ever entered. They entered into an agreement with Judas and Satan to destroy the life of the Son of God for money. Some English versions even have the word covenanted in Luke 22:5, expressing the agreement between Judas and Jesus’ enemies.
This language is that of covenant-making. It reminds us of the covenant meal of Holy Communion. Judas participated in such a communion meal, the Last Supper, but before he did so, he had already joined himself to the “table of demons” (1 Corinthians 10:21).
CORAM DEO
Ezekiel 22–23
James 2
Since Jesus is no longer physically present on earth, men can no longer attack Him, nor can they betray Him directly. Instead, they assault and betray His body, the church. While attacks from the outside are painful, betrayals from the inside are far more so. What examples of betrayal have you seen? Have you ever betrayed Christ’s body? Do you need to ask forgiveness?
For further study: Matthew 27:1–10; tape #B57INT.88/89
wednesday
november