MARK 14:10 AMP
Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve [disciples], went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.
Not many parents today would be comfortable naming their child Judas because of what the name has come to be associated with. Interesting that the name Judas means praise or “the praised one” but today the name is associated with a traitor.
Judas had the opportunity that many would have craved for. He was one of the 12 that Jesus picked to be close to him; one of His disciples. Judas walked with Jesus. He was taught by Jesus and experienced the ministry of Jesus first hand. Sadly, his love for money was his downfall.
I wonder what Judas would have become if he had humbled himself enough to allow Jesus to restore him. I know this was possible because we see Jesus restoring Peter who denied Him 3 times and giving him great responsibility.
JOHN 21:17 AMP
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]?” Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you [really] love Me [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend]?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
Thomas who doubted the resurrection of Jesus became a great apostle who took the gospel to India where he is believed to have died.
Allowing our appetites to direct our life will cost us much and our lineage more that we can imagine.
One great lesson that we can learn from the life of Judas is that we can have the greatest teacher teach us and experience the power of God first hand but still miss it because ultimately we have a part to play and if we don’t, no one will do it for us. Humility to accept our weaknesses and seek for forgiveness so as to allow God’s grace to work in our lives is also another great lesson.
Like Judas you may have a great name but are you living up to it? Are the choices and decisions you are making in alignment to your name as a believer?
Do not allow your appetites to get the best of you, overcome them and allow God to introduce you to the you He sees, the you who has a place in God’s purpose, the you that you have never met. Don’t sell yourself short like Judas did.
