No Greater Contrast

October 31, 2010 Preacher: Randy Smith Series: Matthew

Scripture: Matthew 26:14–25

Transcript

No Greater Contrast

Matthew 26:14-25
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Pastor Randy Smith



There will be a lot of "trick-or-treaters" in our churches today. I am not talking about the children asking for candy. I am talking about people pretending to honor God and appearing very religious.

What does God the Father want from us to please Him? Should we collect holy relics and make a yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem? Should we drive nails through our hands to show how we wish to identify with the crucifixion as some do in the Philippines? Should we stage a jihad and eliminate all the infidels? Should we deny ourselves every pleasure and comfort in life and live in solitude like a monk? Is coming to church, praying, reading the Bible and serving the ultimate end that God desires? What does God the Father want from us? In John 4, Jesus reveals what God the Father is seeking (Jn. 4:23). The answer is very simple: God is seeking true worshippers. So God is not seeking religious people. We know He hates hypocrites. God is seeking true worshippers.

The next question, how would you describe a true worshipper? Is it possessing incredible theological knowledge and winning every debate? Is it outward displays of spiritual emotion and intensity? Is it wearing a particular style of clothing? Is it being in the right atmosphere with statues and candles? Is it simply coming to church? Is it merely being serious about your faith or singing the right songs and reciting the right creeds? If God is seeking true worshippers, I suppose it would be good to know what a true worshipper looks like! What does a true worshipper look like? Are you a true worshipper?

We learned about Mary from Bethany last week (Mt. 26:6-13). Mary is the model of true worship. This week we are going to learn about Judas. Judas is as far from a true worshiper as you can get. Let's contrast the two this morning and see if we can use these two case studies placed side-by-side in the Scriptures to understand the heart that our Father is seeking among us. Both individuals appear to follow Jesus. However, one was real and one was wearing a costume.

1. TAKING VERSES GIVING GIFTS

Our first of four contrasts - "Taking Verses Giving Gifts."

We can only guess what exactly prompted Judas to betray his Master. Possibly it was injured pride or fear of man or jealousy of position or shattered expectations. Whatever the case, he wanted out, and Jesus suddenly became expendable. Was it a seething hatred? I don't know. I suppose a seething hatred would have paid others to eliminate Jesus. For Judas, I believe he simply had no longer any use for Jesus. And when he observed the craving of others to kill Jesus, he thought he might as well make a small profit for himself. Verse 15 says he went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?"

Judas used Jesus to get money.

First Timothy 6:10, "For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." Judas is the poster child for this verse. Judas loved his money. "He [kept] the money box," John 12:4 says and "used to pilfer what was put into it." Now he is motivated to sell the Son of Man for a mere "thirty pieces of silver" (Mt. 26:15), an equivalent back then of about $20.00. It is almost incomprehensible how far the love of money directed Judas, but in many ways understandable when we love money more than Jesus.

We will always serve our gods. And once Judas was no longer motivated to serve the true God, by default he served his false god. And the false god of Judas' choice, like it is for so many today, was money. And Jesus became one of many means to feed his obsession to worship the god of money.

Money in and of itself is not the culprit. The danger comes when we love money. And when we love money, it becomes the false god that drives us to forsake the true God. It is powerful. It is seductive. And often without knowing it we operate in the spirit of Judas and use the living God as an errand boy to fulfill our lust for riches. Instead of longing supremely for the Lord, we are driven more by a love for the gifts from the Giver than a love for the Giver Himself.

In this culture we all have a deep fascination with financial success. Money promises pleasure and security and popularity - tangible results that we can see and feel here and now. With this in mind many modern preachers have developed a whole theology preaching the "come to Jesus and get rich" message. Quite glittering and appealing, but unfortunately this is not the message of the Bible that calls us to pick up the cross and give total commitment. We are expected to deny ourselves and be conformed to His image. The takers will not be the greatest in Christ's kingdom. Boundless rewards at no cost may be the Jesus of culture, but it is not the Jesus of Scripture. The health and wealth Jesus preaches well in America, but when times of affliction and poverty arise, His followers all become Judas' seeking to recoup their losses for whatever they can get.

Contrast Judas' attitude with the attitude of Mary that we learned about last week. Her desire was not to gain financially from Jesus, but rather to bless Jesus out of her finances. Judas sold Jesus for some spare change while she poured costly perfume over His head, perfume that would have taken a year's salary to purchase (Jn. 12:5), perfume that would never be retrieved once given.

Mary was not content to follow the flimsy commitment of the crowd. Nor was she content with a shabby and self-serving kind of faith. She found her joy in knowing that Jesus was the love of her life, and His approval of her was all that mattered. She loved everything about Him and in some special way understood the sacrifice He was about to make (Mt. 26:12).

So can we detect anything from this contrast that describes a true worshipper? Consider this: A true worshipper is one who is so enamored by the beauty of Jesus Christ that he or she responds freely and spontaneously with an extravagant desire to bless the Lord with a total disregard for self.

2. EVIL VERSUS GOOD DEEDS

Let's go to the second point: "Evil Verses Good Deeds."

Once Judas had received his money he was focused on accomplishing his primary objective. In verse 16 we read, "From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus." Judas was consumed with the pursuit of this evil deed, and Jesus was well aware of his heart.

Reading in verse 20, "Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples."

Verses 17-19 describe that all the preparations were made for the Passover meal. This would be the final meal Jesus would have with His friends. The physical sun had set, but the sun was also setting on the physical life of Christ. Within 24 hours He would be crucified. Eating a meal together back then was a sign of intimacy, yet it would be overshadowed by intense betrayal, betrayal not from just anyone but as verse 14 indicates, "One of the twelve." A fulfillment of Psalm 41:9, "Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me."

While the meal was beginning, Jesus breaks the silence. Verse 21, "Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me." Verse 22 says the disciples were grieved. "Each one began to say to [Jesus], 'Surely not I.'" It was beyond their imagination. John's Gospel says they were "at a loss" (Jn. 13:22). A friend? A trusted companion? "Is it me," they individually asked with a degree of personal distrust and uncertainty. Jesus again affirms that it would be one of the twelve, yet He does not reveal the specific identity of the culprit. Verse 23, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me." All were engaged in this pattern of eating that evening. This comment simply means that the traitor would be one who was close and intimate with Jesus.

Judas had already plotted evil against Jesus Christ. Judas felt no remorse for Jesus' upcoming sufferings, sufferings that he heard Jesus speak about on several occasions. Judas could have cared less about the plan of God to deliver the world from sin. Judas blew right through the final warning Jesus just addressed to the twelve. All Judas could see was himself. The wickedness of his heart blinded him from all the love that was transpiring before his very eyes. And even when righteousness was in his face, Judas chose evil.

Contrast this scene with Mary from last week. She saw Jesus through another lens. She sat at His feet and wanted to obey His word (Lk. 10:39). She was captivated by His holiness. She adored being in His company. Far from handing Jesus over to evil men, she clung tightly to her Savior. And while Judas brought evil upon Jesus, she gave to Jesus her greatest of gifts. In contrast to Judas' evil, Jesus called her actions a "good deed" (Mt. 26:10). Judas just looked for a "good opportunity" (Mt. 26:16).

Any definition of worship from this picture? A true worshipper has a heart moved so much by the goodness of God that he or she responds in love with good deeds that treasure God with his or her greatest of treasures.

3. FALSE VERSES PURE DEVOTION

Allow me to give you a third contrast: "False Verses Pure Devotion."

Take a look at verse 25: "And Judas, who was betraying Him, said, 'Surely it is not I, Rabbi?' Jesus said to him, 'You have said it yourself.'"

Judas sat back as everyone was asking Jesus if he would be the betrayer. Judas knew his own intentions, but I believe needed to ask the same question in order to disguise his motives and appear to seem dumfounded like the others. Silence would have blown his cover. And while he did not fool Jesus, Judas did reveal more of the deceptive nature for which he is known.

Judas made a career out of faking devotion to Jesus. As a matter of fact, he was so good at it that even after spending three years with the disciples none of them during that Passover dinner suspected him as being the culprit. When Jesus announced that one of them would betray Him, none of them pointed (as we would expect) their fingers at Judas. Rather in deep disbelief they asked, according to John's account, "Lord, who is it?" (Jn. 13:25).

Judas appeared devoted to the Lord, and he was so good at it that he even fooled the ones that knew him best. I suppose when he prayed publicly he used all the right words. When Jesus taught, he was right there in the congregation. He looked like one of them, but now his sheep's clothing is removed, and the imposter would soon be exposed for his hypocrisy.

Like all hypocrites, Judas was a master at the externals of religion. And though we might not see ourselves in the same vein as Judas, it is easy for all of us to think we are worshipping God while we are just going through the motions of worship and not truly celebrating God.

As one author said, "Worship is not the casual chatter that occasionally drowns out the organ prelude; we celebrate God when we allow the prelude to attune our hearts to the glory of God by the means of the music. Worship is not the mumbling of prayer or the mouthing of hymns with little thought and less heart; we celebrate God when we join together earnestly in prayer and intensely in song. Worship is not self-aggrandizing words or boring clichés when one is asked to give a testimony; we celebrate God when all of the parts of the service fit together and work toward a common end. Worship is not grudging gifts or compulsory service; we celebrate God when we give to Him hilariously and serve Him with integrity. Worship is not haphazard music done poorly, not even great music done as a mere performance; we celebrate God when we enjoy and participate in music to His glory. Worship is not a distracted endurance of the sermon; we celebrate God as we hear His Word gladly and seek to be conformed by it more and more to the image of our Savior. Worship is not the hurried motions of a "tacked-on" Lord's Table; we celebrate God preeminently when we fellowship gratefully at the ceremonial mean that speaks so centrally of our faith in Christ Who died for us, Who rose again on our behalf, and Who is to return for our good" (Ronald Allen, Worship: Rediscovering the Missing Jewel).

Jesus is not impressed with the externals. We can fool others. We can even fool ourselves. But we cannot fool God. He looks at the heart. He wants to be celebrated. He desires pure dedication and devotion.

Again, contrast Judas with Mary's devotion. She was submissive to the teachings of Jesus. She was moved by His upcoming sacrifice. She was responsive with her purest act of devotion. In pouring out the perfume, she was preparing His body for burial (Mt. 26:12). In breaking the vial, she was symbolizing a broken heart. And in wiping His feet with her hair, she was assuming the humble role as His servant (Jn. 11:2).

What is a true worshipper? Based on this contrast, a true worshipper is one who in response to divine revelation presents a heart devoted to Jesus Christ that is broken and humble and submissive.

4. BLESSED VERSES HORRIFIC ETERNITY

Let me take you to our final point of contrast: "Blessed Verses Horrific Eternity."

Jesus knew the purpose for which He came. Jesus knew the means and timing of His death. Jesus even knew exactly who would betray Him (Mt. 26:25).

In one sense His crucifixion was the worst injustice ever committed in the history of the world. The innocent Son of Man was subjected to an agonizing death. Yet in other sense, His death was the greatest act in the history of the world for only it was able to purchase our forgiveness. That explains the confusion people have as to why we call the day Jesus died, "Good Friday."

So what we see at Calvary is God accomplishing His good purposes through the evilness of man. And what we must remember is that while God used the evil of man to accomplish His will, it does not mean that the evil of man is to be applauded. Quite the contrary. They must be kept separate. As the Apostles said in Acts 2:23, "This Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death" (cf. 4:27-28).

In the ultimate sense, God would not suffer defeat from His enemies. Good Friday would come as God had predestined and the prophets predicted (cf. Isa. 53:7-9; Dan. 9:26). But the wickedness of Judas that he chose based on his own free will would not go unnoticed or unpunished.

As Jesus said in verse 24, "The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born."

Judas rejected the grace of God found in trusting Jesus Christ. Millions do the same today. They betray Jesus by putting their other false gods above Him. And the fate of such a choice will have severe consequences. According to verse 24 there was no annihilation of the soul for Judas. "It would have been good for that man if he had not been born." As the saints of yesteryear have said, "Except a man be born again, he will wish one day he had never been born at all" (Ryle). "It is better never to live at all, than to live without faith, and to die without grace" (Ryle). "Better, have no being, than not have a being in Christ" (Burkitt). Every soul will live forever. And as Jesus just said in Matthew 25:46, it will be either "eternal punishment" or "eternal life."

Again consider the contrast of Mary. As Jesus saw the heart of Judas and pronounced eternal woe upon him, Jesus saw the heart of Mary and pronounced eternal blessings on her. Remember He said in verse 13, "Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her."

Allow me to present a final definition of worship from this observation: A true worshipper desires a heart that finds the approval of Jesus Christ and conducts him or herself with actions with a view to eternity.

Judas was not a true worshipper.

As J.C. Ryle once said, "There are few blacker pages in all history, than the character and conduct of Judas Iscariot. There is no more dreadful evidence of the wickedness of man. A poet of our own has said, that "sharper than a serpent's tooth is a thankless child." But what shall we say of a disciple who could betray his own Master - an apostle who could sell Christ? Surely this was not the least bitter part of the cup of suffering which our Lord drank (Matthew, Chapter 26).

Very few would put themselves in a camp with Judas, but may we remember that we can act in his spirit, even in the midst of what we think, as Judas did, are intimate times of communion with our Lord: Phony devotion, preferring evil, believing that it is more blessed to receive than give, an eternity of regret. On the contrary, may God give us all a heart like Mary: Following Scripture, submissive spirit, pure heart devotion, feasting upon God's beauty, reflecting the radiance of His worth, presenting to Him our very best, treasuring Him above all things, celebrating Him as our first love, excitement in worship, longing for eternal fellowship. Is that your heart? For such a heart is what the Lord seeks in His worshippers.


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April 17, 2011

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