Have you ever heard of the Judas goat? Essentially, it is a trained goat used in animal herding that leads sheep to the slaughter while its own life is spared.
You might have guessed where its name originated, from none other than Judas Iscariot.
On Wednesday of Holy Week, also referred to as Spy Wednesday (really!), the process of the betrayal of Jesus by Judas began. Judas met with the religious leaders who offered him 30 pieces of silver to betray Jesus. That amount was equal to four months’ wages at the time.
You can read about that part of the story here.
It’s what happened afterward that’s instructive. Judas would proceed with “business as usual” until he attended the Passover meal with Jesus and his fellow disciples.
I wonder what Judas thought during that Passover meal, when Jesus washed HIS feet, predicted the betrayal, ate the bread, then looked at him and said, “Hurry and do what you are going to do.” Jesus had accepted what was next.
To put this in perspective, would you cut the toenails of someone that you knew would turn their back on you? Would you clean their toilet? Would you take out their trash? Jesus did that knowingly when he washed the feet of Judas.
The lesson for this Wednesday is a simple one. People will turn their back on you and let you down at times. It may even be someone close to you. Accept that it was their destiny, but their actions don’t have to lead you astray.
There will always be a Judas Goat, but don’t follow them; follow Jesus. He’s the only one who will NEVER turn his back on you or let you down.
