Why Did Judas Steal from Jesus?

from Google Images

Less than a week before the crucifixion, Judas was openly indignant over the honor done to Christ by Mary, as she poured out her expensive ointment upon Jesus’ feet (John 12:4-5). Judas believed that something or someone else was more worthy of the valuable contents of Mary’s bottle (John 12:6). In an earlier post, which can be read HERE, we saw that Judas was one who had been devoted to Christ, but his heart began to change and became increasingly more committed to someone or something other than Jesus. His friendship and loyalty to the Lord was apparently overshadowed by something else that compelled him to steal and even covet the love offering of another poured out for Christ. He would rather have sold the contents of that bottle and used the money for something else. What changed Judas? What made him a thief? He was the treasurer of the group, but he stole from what was entrusted to him (John 12:6).

 

A Traitor at the Table of the Lord

from Google Images

We are told that in great houses there are not only vessels of honor, but also of dishonor (2Timothy 2:20). Judas is at the very least an enigmatic vessel in the hand of the Lord. He was one of the Twelve (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:14-19; Luke 6:13-16), and believed on Jesus (John 2:11). Moreover, he was not only gifted to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God (Luke 8:10), but he also preached the Gospel in the service of Christ (Luke 9:2) and cast out demons and healed people in Jesus’ name (Luke 9:1). One cannot help but believe it likely that any of us would change places with him in a moment, if that were possible, considering only these matters. Yet, from the very beginning Jesus knew Judas would be the traitor (John 6:64)! How did it happen that Judas should end this way, and why?