Mark 14:10-11 - Premeditated Betrayal

Mark 14:10-11
10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. 11 They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time.

Message: Premeditated Betrayal

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - It is 2 days before the Passover and Jesus is headed to the cross. The religious leaders are out to get him but with the Passover many will be in town so they wonder if this is the right time. Jesus is in Bethany and visiting Simon the Leper's house and someone in the house (Mary) breaks open a bottle of perfume and pours it on Jesus' head, signifying an anointing. She was most likely led by the Holy Spirit and Jesus remarks that this act was significant. Judas thought the money could be spent on the poor.

In the Gospel of John, at this point, Judas is already on the scene because he was the one that questioned the use of the perfume that Mary had poured on Jesus. Judas had remarked that the money could have been better served by selling it and giving it to the poor. But, Mark did not attribute those words to Judas. Perhaps Peter didn't remember it was he or perhaps at the time Peter did not think it was important, but at this moment Judas is know to have left the twelve in order to betray Jesus.

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. I am sure Judas knew, as all the disciples knew, that at this point the chief priests were looking for a way to seize Jesus. Something motivated Judas at this moment to do this act. Perhaps his faith all along was weak. The disciples questioned Jesus at various times in His ministry and Judas might have been part of those groups, wondering why Jesus would be talking about death and resurrection, as it didn't make sense given how popular he was to the people and them. Perhaps Judas was motivated by money and feeling inside that the money could be used for other purposes, like helping those in need. Evil is a funny thing.

Judges 17:6 remarks that people without a king, without a leader directing them, these people did what was right in his own eyes. Paul says in Romans 1:21 that people began to turn away from God and started to not give thanks and in the process became futile in their own thinking. The human condition is interesting. How we often do things for our own best interests and then not for the benefit of others. We have many scriptures that have to remind us to trust in God and thank God or people and Jesus even said we must live for others, but still we have faith in God. It's an interesting phenomenon.

They (the priests) were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time. Judas wanted money. His desire for money was greater than His love for God or the things of God. Perhaps he felt like his partially noble act of giving to the poor justified this behavior. And yet while he is himself responsible for his actions his actions ultimately were part of the plan of God for Jesus to be arrested, scourged, beaten and die. That's the puzzling dichotomy at times for me - man chooses, but God uses man's choice to accomplish His purpose. I read that and understand those pieces but still don't comprehend why it is that way. Perhaps I think it is that God creates, man departs from God, their are consequences and while God knows the events that will occur and knew that things would end up in His son dying on the cross, it was more of a coincidence that it all worked out in this way. I mean, if there was no Judas it would have happened but maybe another way? I'm not sure.

Granted, in this instance Judas is responsible. John Calvin writes, "Judas was inflamed with the desire to steal; long practice had hardened him in wickedness, and now when he meets with no other prey, he does not scruple to betray basely to death the son of God, the Author of Life, and, though restrained by a holy admonition, rushes violently forward."

Summary - Judas was there watching Mary pour the vile of perfume on Jesus. Perhaps he cringed over this waste when he saw the worth of the vile and the money that could come from it. Meanwhile, Jesus is 2 days from Passover and is preparing for death. And now it seems the Judas is involved in that death. It is something God knew all along, but we are finding out now.

Promise: When evil desires creep up in us, we can indulge in them or turn from them. Consequences will result in each choice, one glorifying Man and his ways and the other glorifying God. Choose life.

Prayer: Lord, I read and understand this scene whereby Judas betrayed you. From my vantage point money was more important to him. And Lord perhaps I don't understand completely your sovereignty and I wonder if Judas was not the one would there be something else to get this carried out. Could Judas have chosen differently? Those are questions I have God and asking You for wisdom in understanding the answer. Meanwhile, I remain yours and seek to trust in You and Your ways, to love You and love my neighbor. Help me today in this. I'm struggling with that love toward others and how in fact to put them first while being fair. Work challenges me in my faith. And I look to you for guidance. Thank you for this time in Your word.