Matthew 26:14.

“What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?”

I try to grasp why Judas, a long-time disciple of Jesus and friend of the other disciples, offered to betray Jesus to the Jewish leaders. Was it simply greed for money? After all, four months of salary would help the financial situation of the team for which Judas was responsible.  Maybe, but I rather doubt it.

Was it because Judas concluded that unless Jesus is stopped, all Jews will suffer under the occupying power – Rome?  That is when Rome finds out that Jesus is leading a rebellion against Rome. I rather doubt it.

Was it because Judas, as the only Judean among the disciples, lost faith in Jesus and his Galilean friends?  After all, he, as the only Judean, had a special responsibility to help his fellow Judeans fend off what many must have suspected,  that Jesus is leading a Galilean movement that threatened the Jewish nation? I rather doubt it.

Was it because he needed the money?  Hardly.

Was it because he wanted to help Jesus by hastening the hour when Jesus would declare a revolt against Rome? Maybe, but I doubt it.

We will probably never know why Judas did what he did. Who can know the ways of our History-controlling God?  Certainly not me.

The only answer I have is that what Judas did led directly to Jesus’ capture and then death. Had Judas known that, he may have not done it, but like us he was blinded by short-term reasons that seem so right?

Jesus knew that it was in Judas’ heart and mind to betray him. As Jesus said, it had to be!

Poor Judas. Who can understand this?

What is Jesus worth to me? Four months’ labor?  Ridiculous. That is what Judas thought of Jesus, the co-Creator of the entire universe, the Darling of all heaven. Do I know how much Jesus is worth?  No math is adequate. Be magnified in my life, Lord Jesus.