Betrayed by Judas. Luke 22:1-6 Each year, the Feast of Unleavened Bread began the celebration of the Passover. All Jewish males over the age of twelve were required to go to Jerusalem for the Passover. The Passover feast itself was to be observed on the fourteenth day of the first month, and this coincided with the beginning of the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread. The two events began with a meal at twilight, and then for the week following, no leaven was allowed to be eaten by the Jews. In New Testament times, both events were interchangeable and were commonly known as “The Passover.”
The Lord Jesus Christ had been teaching in the temple during the days leading up to the Passover. Because of His openness about Himself, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, predictions He made about the future, and His exposure to the failures of the religious leaders, they were determined to get rid of Jesus in some way. For the first time, we read in the scriptures of it happening that Satan actually entered into a man, Judas Iscariot. Demons had possessed many people, but this was different. Judas allowed the “prince of the power of the air” to indwell him. He is one of two men who are called “the son of perdition.” This is also the term used for the anti-Christ.
Even though Satan worked through Judas, Judas was responsible for allowing it. In both cases, Judas and the anti-Christ are tools of Satan to oppose the authority and power of the Lord Jesus Christ. To yield to the power of darkness involves the willingness of a person to do what they know is wrong. A believer has authority over the pressures of evil and can resist the devil, overcome temptations, and refrain from the actions of sin. In the case of Judas, this was that of an unbeliever who willingly aligned himself with wickedness for personal gain. He loved money and likely longed for the power he supposed he would get in Messiah’s kingdom. When he saw that things were not going his way, he betrayed, “handed over,” the Lord Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
The priests and teachers of the law would have been greatly surprised and pleased when one of the twelve disciples close to Jesus came and offered to betray Him for a price. The Lord knew this would happen and spoke of it before. Judas had heard His teaching for three years, but money and self-interest had a tight grip on his soul. “The love of money is the root of all evil.” Such an attitude toward personal gain can only be broken by a repentant person who turns from their sin and guilt to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is those people who can lay up treasure in heaven that have nothing to do with money or fame.
There was no question as to what the religious leaders had planned. The Jewish leaders had been allowed by the Romans to have their own armed temple guards. The guards were already alerted to the intent to capture and kill Jesus, but did not have a way to do it that would not create an uproar among the general population. Judas’ actions opened the way for them.
Beyond all that transpired between the Lord Jesus Christ and the betrayal by Judas and His crucifixion and death was the conflict between God and Satan. The physical wickedness of men and the spiritual battle of Satan against God were real. However, we know that by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, Jesus was crucified, slain, and arose victorious over all the powers of darkness.
He was raised again from among the dead, a triumphant Victor. Sin, death, hell, and the devil vainly opposed the triumph of our Lord over all foes. He alone is the Master and Lord of all the dominions of earth, whether they are physical or spiritual. His victory is over temporal powers and is eternal in its effects, which will unfold before us through the eternal ages. When He rose from the dead, all principalities and powers became subject to Him. Every name that is named, whether kings and religious authorities, nations or dominions, is conquered by the power of God’s grace and love. At the time of His choosing, He will take the seat of rule that will bring peace on earth and goodwill to all. For us, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for those who love Him.”