{"id":46714,"date":"2022-02-23T10:07:15","date_gmt":"2022-02-23T07:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=46714"},"modified":"2025-05-21T23:20:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T20:20:42","slug":"take-him-safely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2022\/02\/23\/take-him-safely\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cTake Him Safely\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever made a decision thinking it was harmless, only to realize later that it caused much more damage than you ever expected? That\u2019s what happened to <\/span>Judas Iscariot<\/strong>\u2014a man who walked with Jesus, saw miracles, heard truth from the source of life\u2014and yet made a tragic choice that led to his death.<\/span><\/p>\n

Judas\u2019 Intention Wasn\u2019t Murder\u2014It Was Money<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Many people assume Judas betrayed Jesus purely out of hatred. But Scripture paints a more complex picture. Judas\u2019 betrayal stemmed from greed<\/strong>, not necessarily a desire to see Jesus die.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen one of the Twelve\u2014the one called Judas Iscariot\u2014went to the chief priests and asked, \u2018What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?\u2019 So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Matthew 26:14\u201315<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The price<\/strong> Judas accepted was the cost of a slave (Exodus 21:32), signaling that he had already devalued Jesus in his heart.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s what many overlook: Judas assumed that after Jesus was arrested, He would be rebuked or punished\u2014but not killed. We see that in Judas\u2019 own words during the betrayal:<\/p>\n

\u201cNow the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: \u2018The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away safely.<\/strong>\u2019\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Mark 14:44<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Those last three words\u2014\u201clead him away safely\u201d<\/strong>\u2014show that Judas never intended harm<\/strong> on Jesus. He believed things would go differently.<\/p>\n

The Tragedy of Misjudging Sin<\/strong><\/h4>\n

But Judas had completely misjudged the seriousness of his actions<\/strong>. When he realized the religious leaders had already condemned Jesus to death<\/strong>, he was overwhelmed with remorse.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver… \u2018I have sinned,\u2019 he said, \u2018for I have betrayed innocent blood.\u2019\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Matthew 27:3\u20134<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This moment is crucial theologically: Judas acknowledged Jesus\u2019 innocence<\/strong>, fulfilling Isaiah 53:9<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c…though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Isaiah 53:9b<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But remorse is not the same as repentance<\/strong>. Judas felt guilty, but rather than returning to Jesus for forgiveness, he turned inward<\/strong> and ultimately took his own life.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Matthew 27:5<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

His story mirrors 2 Corinthians 7:10<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\u201cGodly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 2 Corinthians 7:10<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Judas experienced worldly sorrow<\/strong>\u2014pain without restoration\u2014because he missed the one thing that could save him: returning to Jesus<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Deceptive Nature of Sin<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Judas’ story is a warning: sin often looks like a small, manageable decision. You might think, \u201cI\u2019ll just do this once. I can always repent later.\u201d<\/em> But sin doesn\u2019t come with a warning label\u2014it comes with a wage<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Romans 6:23<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Notice, it says \u201cwages,\u201d<\/strong> not \u201cpunishment.\u201d<\/strong> That means sin earns death as its natural result\u2014not always immediately<\/strong>, but ultimately and inevitably.<\/p>\n

Sin is not measured by how it feels or what you\u2019ve gotten away with in the past. It\u2019s measured by what God says it produces<\/strong>: spiritual death, brokenness, and separation from Him.<\/p>\n

Even Samson<\/strong>, who thought he could toy with sin, found himself blind, chained, and broken (Judges 16). Just like Judas, he didn’t expect that moment to be his last<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Betrayal and Sovereignty<\/strong><\/p>\n

Though Judas acted out of free will and was held accountable, Scripture also affirms that Jesus\u2019 death was not an accident\u2014it was part of God\u2019s sovereign plan<\/strong> for redemption.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis man was handed over to you by God\u2019s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death…\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Acts 2:23<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This paradox teaches us two things:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. God\u2019s plan of salvation will not be stopped<\/strong>, even by betrayal.<\/li>\n
  2. We are still responsible<\/strong> for the choices we make\u2014even when we think we know how they\u2019ll turn out<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Don\u2019t Underestimate Sin<\/strong><\/p>\n

    You might be in a place where you’re tempted to “just sin once” and then repent later. But what if that sin leads you further than you planned to go? What if, like Judas, it introduces consequences you never saw coming?<\/p>\n

    Let me lovingly warn you:
    \nThat relationship you’re planning to compromise for, that secret sin you’re justifying in your heart\u2014it could become the turning point of your spiritual downfall.<\/p>\n

    As one preacher said, \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid of the devil\u2014be afraid of sin<\/strong>.\u201d<\/em>
    \nBecause Scripture never says the wages of the devil is death.
    \nIt says:<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe wages of sin is death.\u201d<\/strong>
    \n\u2014 Romans 6:23<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    Final Prayer<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Lord Jesus<\/strong>, open our eyes to see the true cost of sin. Give us grace to resist temptation, strength to walk in obedience, and the wisdom to run to You\u2014not away from You\u2014when we fall. May we never trade temporary gain for eternal loss. Amen.<\/p>\n