“The test of Christianity is not loving Jesus, it’s loving Judas.”
Uff, that’s a painful quote. Painful to hear and more so to apply.
Not just because of who we are, but because the Judas-es in our lives make it that much harder.
You know your Judas-es. The ones who’ve betrayed you, who cause you pain, gossip about you, and only think about themselves, never wondering how their actions make you feel.
What’s that name we use for Judas today? Oh yeah – toxic.
The world around you will tell you – cut out toxic people from your life.
Heck, even wise people will tell you that.
Let’s go further – the Word of God will tell you in the book of Proverbs – “stay away from…”
Well, Proverbs says ‘fools’, but that word can be used not just for intellectually foolish people, but for those who are morally deprived – selfish, full of themselves…you know – toxic.
The challenge for us today is – how do we live in that tension of loving Judas like Jesus did, but at the same time, also maintaining our distance for our own good.
Yes, the first answer is that we need to die to ourselves. We need to let Christ transform our hearts and minds. Yes, we need to forgive them over and over again. Yes, we need to be so in tune with the mind of Christ that we don’t let anything they do affect us.
But you and I both know that sanctification is a process – and it’s not as fast as we’d like it to be.
Words still hurt. Actions still wound. Judas’ kiss is painful.
I’m not an expert on who we should remove from our lives for our own safety, or where we cross the line of canceling people just because they are a tiny inconvenience in our lives.
I think it doesn’t matter. Because you can get rid of one Judas; another will find you.
Or you may end up finding one (remember, Jesus chose Judas).
You can try running away, but the thing about Judas-es, is that they are really good at finding you again.
That’s literally what Judas got paid 30 pieces of silver for – finding Jesus.
So what do we do when they find us?
The answer is obvious, isn’t it? Love them.
Wash their feet. Do what’s best for them. Do what’s right for them. Do what Jesus did.
Yes, it will hurt. Yes, it will cause heartache. Yes, it will cause our ego to crumble.
But love them.
Then forgive them, and guard your heart to not take on any unnecessary pain.
They may find you again. And you may have to do what Jesus did all over again.
But through it all, know that Jesus is with you.
Of course, I know being like Jesus is hard. Of course, I know it’s a struggle.
But we are called to be like Him anyway.
And when it feels impossible, remember the assumption that you are making.
That in this scenario, you are the Jesus.
When in reality, to Jesus, you were the Judas.
He loved you anyway.
