Spy v. Spy

Mark 14:12-26

This part of Mark’s gospel reads like a spy novel.

THE BAD GUYS

The religious establishment is plotting to murder Jesus. They liked things the way they used to be and did not care that God had a better way. Judas was their inside man. One of the closest to Jesus told the enemy where he could be found. He walked up to Jesus in the darkness and marked him for death with a kiss.

THE GOOD GUYS

Jesus' people are everywhere. Remember the ones who gave the Apostles the donkey colt? They heard the right phrase and provided Jesus' ride into Jerusalem. (Mark 11:1-6)

Jesus told the Apostles to look for a man carrying a pitcher of water. They would get the location for the evening's passover observance from him. This would have been an uncommon site, as getting of water was considered woman’s work but, in the hustle and bustle of passover, no one would have paid much attention to the man carrying water. On the other hand, for the Apostles, it was a secret sign.

God often works behind the scenes. Rahab was an innkeeper in the city of Jericho. She had heard about God and the miraculous delivery of His people from slavery in Egypt and decided to protect Israel's spies and advance God's agenda. (Joshua 2)

History is often remembered through the stories of kings and generals but God's story is told through faithful followers that are unimportant to the world.

THE SLEEPER AGENTS

There are infiltrators who live among us as normal people. They are loyal to another country and are ready to attack when orders are given. They have the capacity to do great damage because they act like everyone else; they talk the talk and walk the walk. Like Judas, they strike without warning.

One the other hand, even the schemes of the enemy can serve God's purposes. Judas was a key figure in the story of redemption. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery but God used that event to save the people of Israel. The communist's expelled European missionaries from China but the church continued to grow.

Blind Ambition

Mark 14:10-11 

Even among Jesus' closest followers there was an unbeliever. The infamy of Judas betrayal made his name synonymous with treason. It did not have to be this way. 

Judas had great potential and an opportunity to go down in history alongside Peter, John and the others. There was nothing in his character that alerted the other apostles about the duplicity in his heart. He was the treasurer (John 12:6); a position of great trust in any organization. 

Judas was destroyed by ambition. He lusted after power and stole from the apostles treasury (John 12:6) but it was for more than money that he betrayed Jesus. Judas had political aspirations. He sought a king not a savior. Many still make the same error today. We hear the same voice but some fail to understand the heart of the gospel is peace; that the abundant life has nothing to do with wealth and power. 

When Judas understood that Jesus was not preaching revolution, he tried to force his own plan into effect. Perhaps, he expected a violent uprising to save Jesus. Maybe, he believed he would replace Jesus and be the next leader. Sometimes, when we come to Jesus with our own desires and ambitions, our personal agendas end up overshadowing the gospel. Judas used his association with Jesus and the disciples for personal gain and demonstrated a total disregard for their safety. He misunderstood Christ's mission and even opposed the worship of Christ by others (John 12:4-5). 

 Throughout his ministry, Jesus warned about the deception that eventually destroyed Judas. Jesus warned that there would be wolves in sheep clothing (Matthew 7:15). He explained that weeds would grow alongside the good wheat (Matthew 13:24-30). Jesus preached about those who claimed to perform God-honoring works, but He said of them, "I never knew you." (Matthew 7:21-23) 

Just as Judas could be so close to Jesus and never change his heart, people can be in church their whole lives and never become true followers of Christ. Judas is a startling example that is possible to know about Jesus but be one of His sheep who know His voice. 

 Judas' blind ambition led to his suicide. He was overcome with anguish over his horrible deed. Rejecting Jesus always leaves us condemned; by our own consciences and by God-- for the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)