I wonder what Judas’ motive was for betraying Jesus?

In the verses before the passage above, we learn of a woman who used a whole jar of perfume (worth a year’s salary!) to express her love to Jesus. 

Then, in contrast, a few verses later, we learn of Judas initiating a trade-off with the leading priests for thirty pieces of silver (the same amount as a slave). Judas was one of the twelve, one of the ‘inner circle’, who had the privilege of doing life with Jesus: seeing His miracles, watching how He loved people and hearing the Word of God.

Yet, it seemed that greed and selfishness got the better part of him and enslaved him. Perhaps Judas had begun to realise what God’s kingdom was really about - not a new government, worldly power or position, but living a sacrificial, selfless life of love. Perhaps he felt inadequate, or a love of money took root as he pre-meditated the betrayal.

These sobering verses remind me of the daily choice we all have: to be a wholehearted disciple or to mistrust Jesus and His ways.

As we approach Easter this year, let’s be honest about our own responses to Jesus and pray about this. May we become more wholehearted and free like the woman with the perfume, rather than suspicious and hard hearted like Judas.

David and Emma Craig