Today we continue to explore Judas’ final days on earth. This is a story based on the little we know about Judas and how satan works to tempt.
The story began four posts ago.
Judas knew he was not a villain. He didn’t know why he was having this conversation with a total stranger. But there was something oddly comforting about Luce … especially after the kind of day Judas had had.
He explained to Luce how he was actually a dedicated follower of Jesus. He explained that he was His manager.
Judas said, “If Jesus didn’t trust me, He would never have let me manage His money.”
Luce laughed, “Well, you sure blew trust out of the water, didn’t you? If He ever trusted you, He won’t now.”
Judas said, “I know if I can just get a few minutes with Him, I can explain everything. He will understand.”
Luce shook his head sadly.
“That’s not going to happen, buddy. He never wants to see you again.”
Judas was now getting suspicious. He asked, “Why would you say such a thing? You don’t even know Him.”
Luce smiled.
“Oh I know Him. He and I go way back. We’ve been pretty much inseparable for ages.
And as for you, I heard Him say it would be better if you had never even been born.”
Pause in the story here. Jesus was reported to have said “it would have been better if that man, [meaning the evil man] had never been born.”
But in regard to the man God created, His Greatest desire was for that man to be born again.
Note how satan uses Jesus’ actual words and twists their meaning.
Luce went on.
“By the way, why are you out here all alone? Where are your friends?”
Judas didn’t answer. He was processing that he did not have a friend left in the world and he was going to be cut off from Jesus and God forever.
He also realized he had now publicly humiliated himself by trying to return the money he had been paid. He knew if he ever showed his face again, he would simply be a laughing stock. His chances for another way of simply making a living were gone.
Luce tried his best to look sympathetic.
“Sorry, buddy. I know it’s hard to hear this. But I am just here as your friend to tell you the truth.”
Judas remembered Jesus always said, “I tell you The Truth.”
Jesus had also called him “friend.” It was the last thing Jesus said to him. Judas felt emotional remembering, but he mistook the longing of his heart for something else. He felt angry.
If he had been brought into the world just to be used and then branded and then cast aside, he had been set up by Jesus.
Judas felt he had been betrayed.
Judas knew what he had to do. He would not be a victim. He would control his own future.
Luce once again used Jesus’ own words to trap Judas.
He hugged Judas and whispered in his ear, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
With that, Luce handed Judas the rope and walked him to the tree.
Judas made his choice. He hung himself.
Tomorrow we will reflect on what we can learn from Judas, including the issue of suicide.
Luce, aka satan, savored his victory with Judas. But then he moved on to what he thought would be an even greater victory over Jesus.
We already know how that part of the story ended, but there are parts of the walk to Calvary yet to be discovered.
“I have set before you Life and death, Blessings and curses. Now choose Life, so that you and your children may live!”Deuteronomy 30:19
