His plan

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

HIS PLAN

Matt 26:14-16

14 Then one of the Twelve — the one called Judas Iscariot — went to the chief priests 15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

NIV

We know this was all part of the plan of God so that Jesus would make it to the cross to be the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world. We know this was the only way that he could justify himself to us, a sinful people. It was the only way that our redemption could be purchased. So we would have to conclude that Judas Iscariot was picked by Jesus for this exact reason. Some would say that God determines or destines some to hell and some to heaven. But this would be inconsistent with the fact we know God desires all to be saved so that none would perish. This is also consistent with the fact that we have to decide to believe. Now there is the thought which has floated around that Judas was aware that Jesus had to die for the sins of the world and that he was trying to help bring that about. But that would be inconsistent with what we know about this Judas.

John 12:4-6

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

NIV

What we do know is that Judas Iscariot was more concerned about money than about Jesus or the plan of God. Jesus being divine picked Judas in the beginning so that he would accomplish the plan of God. This is consistent with the truth that God can use the unsaved to accomplish his plan for his people. We have seen throughout the whole of the Old Testament, God using nations, kings which are not worshipping him to either capture or enslave his people so his plan for them would be accomplished. Many, if not all of the time it was because they had fallen away from him, turned to the ways of the world, and he needed to show them their need for him. Nevertheless the truth is that Judas was not a person truly devoted to Christ, but rather devoted to money. Jesus knew this and thus called him to follow him so that this moment in time would be accomplished. The one part of which somewhat remains a mystery is why at this time did Judas do this. Why did he wait until now, as if in cue, to go to the chief priests? Until now it was not Jesus’s time, but now it is and so the plan must be put into motion for the cross. Of course this plan was there at the beginning of time. But in the linear aspect of mankind this was the exact moment it was be fulfilled. So then what are we to learn? It would seem it goes directly back to the statement about not being able to serve both God and money.

Matt 6:24

24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

NIV

It is true that Judas in serving money, he was in fact actually serving the purpose of God. But he was not serving God, he was not devoted to Jesus, but rather devoted to himself as a thief, helping himself to the donated money. So he was in fact not devoted to God. He was an unsaved worldly man hanging around for his own needs. We should take a step back and consider are we hanging around to receive a blessing from God or are we simply devoted to him and wantt to serve him, do his will, accomplish the plan he has for our lives, which can only be done if we allowing the Spirit to guide our steps. If we are trying to live the good life as defined by the world, as Judas must have been, then we need to reevaluate our position. However this is not the case, as we are determined to live by faith, not by sight. It is not about what we have or don’t have. It is not about anything in this world, for we are aliens here. The only reason we are engaged with this foreign land is to be an ambassador for our Sovereign Lord. Our citizenship is not in the world, but in the kingdom of God. Judas was not a part of the kingdom of God as he had always been and still was up to his death a part of the world. There is no fence riding here, we are either in or out, on one side or the other. It is not grey, but a black and white situation. One or the other. We cannot serve both. It comes down to being either a Judas, for he was not a true disciple, or a true disciple. Who do we care the most about? It is easy to get caught up in the things of the world. It is easy to be distracted by stuff, by things, by ambitions, plans, desire for the pleasures of this life. It is even easy to be overly concerned about our health not just our wealth. It is easy to be self-centered rather than God centered. But in reality our life is not about us, but about God. We should be God centered, God focused, and God directed. Although we are jumping ahead a bit, it does seem appropriate to ask, “Is it I Lord?” When Jesus said that one among them would betray him, the disciples were so concerned they would do something against being centered on him and more centered on themselves. This is our life, we cannot serve two masters, we must serve God and God alone, so that his plan for us will be done.