Follower or Faker?

Characters of the Crucifixion
Follower or Faker?
Matthew 26:14-27:10

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One of the most infamous and tragic figures in all of scripture is Judas Iscariot.

A Quick Review of Judas’ Life:

• He was the son of Simon Iscariot (John 6:71)
• He was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus
• He was the treasurer of the disciples (John 12:4-6 and 13:29)
• He was a thief (John 12:6)
• He agreed to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver
• He was at the Last Supper with Jesus
• He identified Jesus for the captors with a kiss
• He remorsefully returned the money to the chief priests and elders
• A field was purchased with this money that became known as the “Field of Blood”
• He took his own life (Matthew 27:5 & Acts 1:18)
• All of this took place in fulfillment of scripture (Psalm 41:9; 109:8; Zechariah 11:12-13)

Life Lessons from Judas’ Life

1. You can fake a relationship with Christ

• He had been with Jesus
• He had heard the teachings of Jesus
• He saw the miracles of Jesus
• He saw people come to Jesus
• He ministered for Jesus

You can be connected with Jesus, but not be connected to Jesus.

You can know about Jesus, but not know Jesus

“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”
(1 John 2:19)

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”
(2 Corinthians 13:5)

Am I a follower or a faker? Is my relationship with Jesus Christ real?

2. You can break the heart of Christ

“After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.” (John 13:21–22)

“Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” (Psalm 41:9)

We need to see our sin and rebellion as not just breaking a rule, but breaking the heart of Christ.

3. You can resist the love of Christ

“But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) (John 6:64)

“One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.” (John 13:23–26)

“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” (John 1:11)

There is a difference between being remorseful and being repentant

Making It Personal:

• What difference will it make in my life if I truly understand sin as not just breaking a rule, but breaking the heart of God? What specific sins might God be calling me to turn from and turn to Him instead of today?
• Are there areas of my life where I am resisting the love and the will of God? What will it look like for me to surrender to God instead of resisting God?
• Am I responding to the disciplining hand of God with genuine repentance or merely remorsefulness? What evidence is there of genuine repentance in my life?
• Am I truly a follower of Jesus Christ?