We move into the Second Week of Lent and our LEGO Lent takes us to the Betrayal of Judas. There will always be questions of why? Or the pondering of what Judas did it for? Obviously there was the price of 30 pieces of silver exchanged, but beyond that, what was Judas thinking?

United Methodist Pastor, Tim Smith wrote in a Sermon from 2013 (yes it is always good to read what others are preaching) that there are three distinct reasons why Judas may have become the betrayer.

1. Greed:  Which makes sense. Hearing the story from Matthew 26:6-16 where Jesus is visiting the house of Simon the Leper in Bethany. As the jar of ointment is broken and poured over Jesus, Judas becomes very vocal: “Why this waste? For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor.”
2. Fear:  On multiple occasions, Jesus has said to his Disciples that they will experience the same fate.  Jesus has spoken openly about the Cross.  We know that it’s coming. Yet to the disciples this is scary, and according to Jesus it may likely be their fate as well.  Perhaps, Judas may have thought, “If Jesus is out of the way . . . then we don’t have to worry about that type of fate.”
3. Rebellion:  There are many who believe that Judas wasn’t content with this peaceful, loving Jesus.  He wanted rebellion.  Even his name, might lead us to believe that as Judas Iscariot may have been one of the Sicarii.  This was a fanatical group of nationalist who wanted to free Israel from the oppression and rule of the Romans.  Think terrorist in our own day in age. With that mind set, Jesus wasn’t living up to his promise of new life and freedom, so Judas did what was natural to him. He rebelled.

Whatever the reason might be.  There is the Garden of Gethsemane, just after Jesus had finished praying . . . the deed was done. With one Kiss, Jesus was betrayed and handed over to the chief priest. The Crucifixion was now close at hand.

As we journey through our LEGO Lent, we recall God’s obedience to the cross by adding one small brick to our story broad. LEGO money . . . as a reminder of Judas’ betrayal and the 30 silver coins offered to Judas by the Pharisees.

Blessed Lent!
Pastor Bailey