THE DANGER OF MISPLACED HOPE…

MATTHEW 27:3-10: “Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, was full of remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.  (4)  “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What’s that to us?” they said. “See to it yourself!”  (5)  So he threw the silver into the temple and departed. Then he went and hanged himself.  (6)  The chief priests took the silver and said, “It’s not permitted to put it into the temple treasury, since it is blood money.”  (7)  They conferred together and bought the potter’s field with it as a burial place for foreigners.  (8)  Therefore that field has been called “Field of Blood” to this day.  (9)  Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him whose price was set by the Israelites,  (10)  and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.” CSB

OBSERVATION: The story of Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, is one of the saddest stories in the entire Bible. It is a story of misplaced hope. I have never preached a sermon on this text nor have I written about it. Yet, each time I have read it my heart is saddened over a life that was so misguided and lost.

Judas Iscariot had everything the other 11 disciples had. He was part of Jesus’ inner circle. He witnessed Jesus’ miracles and sat listening to Jesus teach about the Kingdom of God. Yet, there was a disconnect in Judas’ heart. While Jesus was speaking of spiritual things Judas was focused on temporal things. And, when Jesus kept insisting He was going to die, Judas lost all hope.

Judas was looking for Position. He wanted to be in the inner circle of power for the ushering in of the Messianic Kingdom. Judas was sure that Jesus was the Messiah who would overcome the Roman rule and set up the Kingdom of David once again. As Judas took on the role of managing the money he was positioning himself for a key role in this new kingdom. For Judas – it was all about position!

Judas was also looking for Power. He was tired of just being one of the crowd. He wanted a position of power and influence that others would recognize and give him honor for. It is the power brokers who get the best seats at the banquets, receive the highest accolades from the general populace. Judas wanted to be recognized as a power broker in the new kingdom. He wanted to be a mover and a shaker.

Judas was also looking for Possessions. With position and power come wealth and possessions. He was content to scrimp along as Jesus prepared to take over the kingdom. However, he was waiting for the opportunity to step in as the money man and take advantage of the windfall that would be coming to line his pockets with desired wealth and all that comes with it.

The Last Supper was the last straw for Judas Iscariot! He had waited Passover after Passover for Jesus to take his place as King. Yet, Jesus once again spoke of His death and resurrection, and this time with finality. Judas had enough. He fully opened his heart to Satan and traded all of his dreams for 30 pieces of silver to betray the one he had placed his hope in.

What does someone do who loses all hope? When Judas heart was flooded with remorse he tried to make amends by returning the money but in desperation, he hung himself. Turning his back on the only true hope, Jesus Christ, he lost all hope and his life ended in a tragic death. This is one of the saddest stories of all. Imagine, living with the King of Glory, the Lord of Hope, you miss that hope only to die a hopeless death.

I believe this entire tragic story was included in the Bible for those who are struggling without hope. It is a reminder that our hope, our fulfillment in life, is never found in position, power, or possession. Hollywood is replete with stories of hugely successful people who ended their lives in a state of hopelessness. They had everything this world could offer – except hope.

Hope is never found in something outside of our lives. Hope is only found when we invite the one who died for our sins and rose from the dead into our lives. Jesus Christ, crucified, buried, and risen from the dead is our only hope. If Judas would have waited just three short days he too could have found eternal hope and the answer to all of his struggles.

As I meditate upon this passage I sense that there are many today who are feeling hopeless. They have been seeking for position, power, and possession and feel that the current turn of events in our world have shut the door on their hopes and dreams. Much like Judas Iscariot they feel like giving up. What is the use? Why keep on trying? To all of these dear ones, God’s Word offers the answer and pathway to the only hope that will ever sustain.

1 Peter 1:3-5: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead  (4)  and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.  (5)  You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” CSB

The new hope we long for is found in the new birth we need. It is the call to be born again by placing our faith in the Risen Christ! The empty tomb proclaims that the hope of life is not found in position, power, or possessions. THE LIVING HOPE IS FOUND IN A PERSON – JESUS CHRIST! Listen to the wonder and power of this living hope!

• It will never perish.

• It will never dim or lose its power.

• It is experienced now in this life and kept secured in heaven for the next.

• It is guarded in our hearts and lives by the power of the Risen Christ.

• It is the guarantee of eternal life and the Kingdom of God that our hearts long for.

Dear one, don’t place your faith in position, power, or possessions – or in those who promise such things. Open your heart to the love of God reaching out to your through Jesus Christ the Risen King! No life needs to end in the tragic way that Judas Iscariot’s life ended. There is hope for all. There is life for all. There is a Savior for all!

2 Corinthians 6:2: “For he says: At an acceptable time I listened to you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!“

Say YES to Jesus today!

In Jesus’ Name!