Judas Iscariot (Part 3)

We Will Be Remembered By Our Actions

Notice how Judas is mentioned within the New Testament writings (Matt. 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:16; John 12:4-5). If you were to ask anyone what Judas Iscariot is known for the likely response would be, “He was the one who betrayed Jesus!” Take a look at any Biblical man or woman. They are remembered for the actions and words spoken. Adam and Eve are remembered because they were the first man and woman and their actions in the garden. Cain will forever be remembered as the first murderer. David, while being remembered as a man after God’s own heart, will also be remembered for his adultery with Bathsheeba. Noah will always be remembered for building the ark but also for his drunkenness after the flood. Judas will always be remembered as a traitor.

That is because he was a traitor. It is interesting that he went to the chief priests after Judas was rebuked by Christ. “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him” (Matthew 26:14-16). Interestingly enough, thirty pieces of silver was the price of a common slave (Exo. 21:32; Zech. 11:12-13). It would be worth somewhere around fifteen U.S. dollars. “Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him” (Matt. 26:46-50). The betrayal is now complete.

Jim Henson once said, “[Children] won’t remember what we said. They will remember who we were.” That statement is true with more than just children. How do you want to be remembered when this life is over?