Betraying Jesus

Betraying Jesus

Judas Iscariot’s betrayal alerts us to the fact that no one is exempt from the possibility of betraying Jesus. As the disciples sat together with Jesus at the last supper, Jesus made an announcement: “Behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table” (Luke 22:21).

After each of the disciples had dipped his hand into the bowl with Jesus, Jesus announced that someone close to Him, one of His followers, one of His companions, was about to betray Him. Although the individual was not specifically identified by Jesus, he was a comrade of Jesus. Judas perhaps afraid of exposure because the other disciples had asked, if they were the guilty party, also asked, “Master, is it I?” (Matt 26:25). Judas asked whether he was the one who would betray Jesus. Betrayal occurs in various forms. It appears that Judas’s betrayal may have been rooted in monetary gain. He exchanged loyalty for lucre, friendship for finances. Evangelists, missionaries, and missionary agencies are not beyond betraying their loyalty to Jesus for lucre, their call for coins. We need to make our dollars count for missions and outreach. We should not make our money scarce. Churches and individuals are, however, to hold evangelists, missionaries, and mission agencies accountable for their support. If you financially support a missionary you have not heard from in six months to a year, how do you know he is still in the field? Perhaps he has returned home and taken a job.

Are you supplementing someone’s income or supporting missions? Regrettably, betrayals occur. Judas willingly betrayed Jesus for money. Keep in touch with those you support financially. Pray for those you support. Do not, however, allow your support to be misused by someone who has betrayed Jesus.

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