John 6:70-71 says,
“Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil (of the evil one and a false accuser).

He was speaking of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for he was about to betray Him (even though) he was to be one of the Twelve disciples who were unconditionally loved.

There are six phases in the Judas effect, as told in the Bible. Judas has passed on, but the upshot of his act is still well-known and relatable even today.

1) THE PURPOSE/PLAN:

If it were to be selection process for a new project; do you think the project manager who is heading the team would have the heart to choose a slacker or a non-performer; or, someone who would intentionally jeopardize the project, to be in his team? I doubt it! Well, Jesus did.

He picked Judas, who was destined to be lost, doomed to destruction (John 17:12), to be a part of his ministry because Judas had a part to fulfil in God’s plan (…that the Scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12)).

…Even my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted (relied on and was confident), who ate of my bread, has lifted his heel against me. ~ Psalms 41:9—parelled reading (John 13:18).
This verse is very deep; so deep it penetrates love. Jesus.
Jesus considered Judas, his betrayer, as his friend. Jesus must have hoped Judas might have a change of heart. More than change, he must have desired somewhere in his heart Judas would see how much Jesus loved him unconditionally. Jesus was ‘a Man of God in flesh’ walking the earth with a purpose. He loved as someone would his teammates. Always praying, wanting good for them. He took full responsibility, imparting all his knowledge, wisdom, on them which his Father bestowed on him. He never once discriminated against any one of his disciple. Jesus took upon him all their accountability.

2) THE WEAKNESSES / BAIT IDENTIFIED:

John 12:4-6:
“…But Judas Iscariot, the one of the disciples who was about to betray Him, said, Why was this perfume not sold for 300 denarii [a year’s wages for an ordinary workman] and that [money] given to the poor(the destitute)? Now he did not say this because he cared for the poor but because he was a thief: and having the bag (the money box, the pure of the Twelve), he took for himself what was put into it [pilfering the collections].”

Luke 22:2:
“And the chief priests and the scribes were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they feared the people. “

Each of the disciples had a job description to fullfil. Judas was exposed to the same kind of familiarity, freedom, duties and responsibilities, similar to the rest of the disciples. He heard, received the same teachings as the rest. Judas had borne witness to the same signs and wondrous miracles performed by Jesus on a daily basis. In the above verse we read, he was entrusted to deal and put in order their daily earnings and expenditure, He used his deception skills to sound like he cared for the cause. It was after He approached the priest with the intention to deceive Jesus, as stated in the chapter Mark.
Judas’s potency: Deception skills. His weakness: Money. Both of which were used to lure him into the pit of anguish.

3) THE WARNING:

John 13:26, 29
“Jesus answered: It is the one to whom I am going to give this morsel(bit) of food after I dipped it. So when He had dipped the morsel of bread into the dish, He gave it to Judas.”
“Then after he had taken the bit of food, Satan entered into and took possession of Judas. Jesus said to him, What you are going to do, do more swiftly than you seem to intend and make quick work of it.“

“But nobody reclining at the table knew why He spoke to him or what He meant by telling him this. Some thought that, since Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him, Buy what we need for the Festival, or that he should give something to the poor.“

My love and respect for Jesus deepens in this scene, for being so poised when addressing the issue with Judas in a manner that wasn’t demeaning to his betrayer. Jesus was hurting; to have known the very person he loved dearly would deceive him by siding with his enemy to bring him down.
Nevertheless, Jesus wanted to make it easy for Judas, by saying “Do it fast”, meaning– “Please don’t put too much effort into planning ways to betray me. I won’t protest against you.…..”
When Jesus fed him, the scripture says, “Satan entered into and took possession……” This is a very important verse to keep in mind at all times on a daily basis. No matter how holy one thinks they are, the Devil is circling, watching, waiting to pounce on them when he sees a vulnerable spot made available. The thought had already been sown into Judas (John 13:2).All he was required to do was to finalise his choice. As soon as he did, Satan pounced on Judas.

4) THE CHOICE/DECISION:

Mathew 26:14:
“ …Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests. And said, What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you> And they weighed out for and paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought a fitting opportunity t o betray Him.”

I also like Luke 22:4:
“And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and captains how he might betray Him and deliver Him up to them. And they were delighted and pledged themselves to give him money.”

This was a crucial decision for Judas to take. When I was young, I used to wonder why he needed more money if he was already stealing from the money box and no one questioned him. After relating the scenario to this day and age, I have concluded, when it comes to money, insatiable is the word to use to describe its personage status; easy money or making a quick buck without any or much effort, is its goal; even if it involves hurting someone in the process, is all an acceptable achievement.I am sure when Judas approached the priests with his plan to go against Jesus, he was initially apprehensive about their reaction. The priests and elders however, made Judas feel important and righteous, thus reinforcing his decision and boosting his ego. The more they delighted in his decision, the superior he felt.

5) THE DEED

John 18:3:
“So Judas, obtaining and taking charge of the band of soldiers and some guards of the high priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.”

Mathew 26:48-50:
“Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, The One I shall kiss is the Man; seize Him. And he came up to Jesus at once and said, Hail Master! And he embraced Him and kissed Him with warmth and devotion.”
“Jesus said to him, Friend for what are you here? Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him.”

The above verses can be weighty on the heart. Can you imagine someone who you treasured, loved, cared for handing you over to your enemies with warmth and devotion? Yet, Jesus greeted him as ‘Friend’. Jesus did not stand there condemning him. Why?
Well, this is Jesus we are talking about, the MAN was genuine love. I believe he looked at it from a ‘Judas’ the disciple’s point of view, which was ‘weak in sin’ and it was not Judas who was performing it, but what was ‘in’ him; thus loving him still.

6) THE RELEASE/FINALE:

Mathew 27:2-6:
“When Judas, His betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, Judas was afflicted in mind and troubled for his former folly and with remorse [with little more than a selfish dread of the consequences] he brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. Saying, (I have sinned in betraying innocent blood. They replied, What is that to us? See to that yourself. And casting the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed; and he went off and hanged himself.”

Acts 1:18:
“Now this man obtained a piece of land with the money paid to him as a reward for his treachery and wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle of his body and his intestines poured forth.”

Deception always leaves behind an empty space in the mind of the deceiver. At the time of performing the deed, Judas was in charge of the decision process, feeling important. Once the planned act was fulfilled Judas was discarded by Satan, leaving behind an empty space for guilt to settle in and Judas defenceless; which meant Satan could take possession of him, again. Judas felt condemned and he tried to lessen the ache by offering back the payment he was given for betraying Jesus. Scripture says he had already bought a land with the payment received.

If you continue reading past Mathew 27:5, you will understand what the priests and elders were planning to buy with the money thrown at them. They ended up buying the same land on which Judas’s body had strewn.
No matter how many times the money may have changed hands; the spoken purpose behind the amount would remain the same, i.e. purchase of Akeldama(Field of Blood) as stated early in Psalms 69:25.

So, how does the Judas effect work in this day and era?

Each one of us has at some point experienced the Judas effect. A few have mastered and administered coping techniques; while some may still be struggling to figure out ways to fight back. No matter where at or what season you are in, there is always a gap through which light shines in-out, when you are caught inside the devious claws of the Judas effect .

The Judas effect fosters its presence into two paths. One in which you are the receiver, and in the other path you change and become an inflictor. There is a thin line separating both paths. One could cross over at any point, usually it occurs after the weaknesses are identified by Satan or/and it could be when making the final choice.

Illustration:

John Doe recently landed a six figure job (Weakness) at a telecommunication company. He is super excited; who wouldn’t be, if they were offered their dream job (The Purpose).
His new boss, Carl is very impressed with his performance in the first month. Slowly as time goes by, his boss trusts him with confidential work to work on, resultant in tension between JD and the rest of the team members, who don’t agree with Carl’s decision and consider it unfair. JD feels victimized and hurt each time he overhears a sneering comment from one of his fellow teammates about him. Whenever the rest of the team goes out for drinks, they make it a point to never invite JD.(This point he is the: Receiver)

JD decides to complain to some of the team members about the workload and his boss, as a means to pacify them and a sly plan to win over their trust. On the other hand, he spills insider information about his teammates to his boss. (Weakness: People Pleasing and he has crossed the thin line from the Receiver to an Inflictor).

Six months later, he is approached by a representative from a rival company offering him a seven figure bribe, if he agrees to divulge information on the tender contracts submitted by his current company. (The Bait). Carl, his boss, his teammates are beginning to notice changes in JD. His work performance is beginning to fall. One of his close friends overhears his conversation with the rival representative on the phone and warns him of the consequences he would face (The Warning).

Greed grasps him, whispering to him in a sultry voice. JD makes his choice. He begins to disclose information, thus sealing his choice. (The Decision), performing (The Deed).
Carl gets to somehow know about JD deal with the rival company. He confronts JD and fires him. Humiliated, lost and regretful, JD take up drinking and slowly sinks into depression and drugs. (The Finale).

The Judas effect happens, is happening and has happened to everyone. For every effect there is a cause. Identifying the cause may not be possible on your own. Ask the Lord to reveal ways to strengthen your whole being.

Whenever you experience helplessness, don’t try to sort it on your own. When your mind is clouded, you may not able to see the passage to redemption clearly.

Scuttle to the one and only safe place where you can be sure to find solutions to the decisions and choices needed to be made on a daily minute basis. Jesus. The Judas effect shows you how your creator knows your destiny. Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you…”

He knows what is, will, should, could, has, have, will, would……Then why not trust him completely and have a finale at all times that is fruitful and prosperous. Yes, all things are possible in and through Christ!!!

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