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Judas, one of the 12 called by Jesus, betrayed life. He betrayed life because he betrayed the One who is life, gives life, and showed us how to live. For his own reasons - and some may even say that it was reasonable:
A. He knew that Jesus possessed great power over the storm & nature
B. He knew that Jesus could call upon His Father and legions of angels
C. He knew that He was the only begotten Son, one with the Father, Very God of Very God, the One who is the great "I am"
With Jesus being all of this some have posited that Judas had reasoned that if he put Jesus in a corner, then Jesus would be forced to defend Himself and throw off the yoke of servitude to the Romans which bound the people. Judas Iscariot was from the town of Kerioth, a rebellious place of means, money, and privilege. And in that privilege, as even some are wot to do now, he was accustomed to using others for his own purposes, even unrestrained when it comes to using God. I have to tell you that the spirit of Judas is alive & well in some privileged people today, accustomed to using others for their own purposes, even giving them over to their enemies and putting them on the way to death just because it suits their purposes.
But after Judas had delivered Christ to his enemies and he realized that everyone knew what he had done, he began to feel the pangs of a guilty conscience. He took back the 30 pieces of silver - the price of a slave - and tried to say he made a mistake. But it was too late. The deed was done. It was no mistake. He meant it when he said it & when he did it. And he could never undo what he did because he was still what he was - evil, disloyal, rebellious, unfaithful, and part of a circle of death. The son of perdition never was & never could be a child of God and his guilt over being exposed did not mean that he suddenly had good character. Seen any Karens or Kyles lately who expect us to believe that's not who they really are, crying and moaning over the fact that their abuse was exposed for the world to see, saying, "That's not who I am!" Well that's exactly who they are! If it wasn't in them, they never would have said or done what they said and did!
Everyone needs to know how to navigate through a world where privileged people who, when their evils are exposed, suddenly want everyone to think that their deeds are not a reflective of their characters.

1. Live Above It v3a
- This is for you personally beloved. Live above the spirit of Judas. There is no way that Judas did not know from a moral, relational, cultural, societal, personal, and empirical sense that betraying the Lord was wrong. He knew. And most times, when any of us do wrong unto others, we also know ahead of time and prior to doing it. You have to determine within yourself that you are not going to lower yourself and use people in order to have your own way, regardless of the potential reward. Isn't it ironic that he lowered himself in order to elevate himself because believers have to condescend in order to be elevated by God? The difference is that Judas had his own agenda and believers are to follow God's plan. When you live above crass, undeniable, and self-serving sin you won't have to face the music for using and abusing others. Jesus took a dim view of exploitation and there is a price to pay for not regarding the lives of others. So live above and not below.

2. Let Them Admit It v4a
- Regardless of what consequence sin & evil bring, the perpetrator has to see it, admit it, and own it. It may be rare for people to say, "It was me. It's my fault. I am sorry," but give the time, space, and opportunities to do so. There is no possibility of change unless the drivers of evil deeds admit that they did it. Judas is the betrayer that was called and loved by Christ, called "friend" when he brought the guard to arrest Jesus, and even he could admit that he was wrong. Why is it so hard for people, institutions, and politicians to say that today? It's because they want absolution without apology! But it's hard get right before you admit your wrongs! They have to admit it and none of us can make them do it. The have to do it on their own.

3. Let Them Atone For It v4b
- Judas admitted his wrong & tried to give back the money. The priests said, "We can't help you. Deal with it!" Devils will always throw their pawns under the bus! They didn't offer a chance to make sacrifice or anything. You see, game recognized game. As they had to deal, so did Judas. No one can change the past. Let them atone! And when they find out that they can't fix it with just words from their guilt, maybe they'll turn to the one that can wipe away their tears! Jesus can give a new character, one from which they won't do what they used to do! Because if they don't, they'll hang themselves like Judas and it will be no one's fault but their