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Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus Christ for 30 pieces of silver.
But it’s so important to remember that Judas loved Jesus (at least, he
loved the Jesus that he ministered alongside healing the sick and feeding
the poor), but Judas also loved money (John 12:6) and being in a position
of power (Mark 14:43-45).
This would make him hate the Jesus that called out the Pharisees (Matthew
23), drove out the money changers from the temple (John 2), and told rich
people that it was humanly impossible for the rich to enter heaven (Mark
10:25).
Most megachurch pastors betray Jesus for fame and fortune. They love the
Jesus that loves the world (John 3:16), but they hate the Jesus that calls
out false teachers (Matthew 24:24), values ministry above merchandise (Luke
14:33), and despises the things the world esteems (Luke 16:15).
Most political candidates betray Jesus for power and money. They love the
Jesus that supported taxes (Mark 12:17), but hate the Jesus who said “let
your statement be ‘yes’ or ‘no’; anything beyond these is of evil.”
(Matthew 5:37).
They hate the Jesus who defined success as being last, not first (Mark
10:31), and who did not seek the approval of others (John 5:41-44).
Judas sold out Jesus to be his own savior.
Megachurch pastors have sold out the Biblical Jesus to sell their own
version of Jesus (books, music, etc.).
And every four years, politicians sell the name of Jesus Christ for
their own seat in the House, the Congress, or the Oval Office.
In the end, what’s the difference between 30 pieces of silver and…a 30,000
“member” church?
Or 30 million copies of a self-help book?
Or a 30% poll rating?
Or 30 million votes?
No, Judas wasn’t uniquely evil; he was just the first to make the deal.
And he certainly isn’t the last.
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