Lenten Devotional: Tuesday, 3/18/2008

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. -Matthew 26:14-16

What motivates Judas to this despicable act? He goes to the priests on his own. Is it greed? Thirty silver coins hardly seems a worthy reward. Was it jealousy? Was he tired of being in the shadows while Jesus received all the attention? Maybe we’ll never understand Judas or his motives – or maybe his motives were part of God’s plan to save sinners. That would mean that God uses evil (Judas’ act) to achieve good (salvation of sinners). There are other Biblical events where evil works into God’s plan. In the Old Testament, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery (talk about greed and jealousy!) so that once in Egypt, Joseph can set the stage for the Israelites to go to the Promised Land, in accordance with God’s plan.

If God can use evil to achieve good; does He permit evil to happen and then make the best of it, or does He include elements of evil in His plan knowing that men are weak and all too willing to participate? If Judas hadn’t betrayed Jesus in this manner, would another of Jesus’ trusted followers been touched by evil to participate? Or, would Jesus never have been sacrificed? What consequence would that have for our lives and salvation? These questions stem from this disturbing passage. But, there is comfort in knowing that God is in control of both good and evil and His plan for our salvation is achieved -- regardless. We just need to believe. Amen.

By S.B.