March 13
JOHN 13
21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
– John 13:21-30
JOHN 13 IDOL BEHIND BETRAYALS
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When you betray someone, your heart will feel guilt
No matter how you dismiss it, it will catch up on you
To betray someone is to go against your loving nature
You have begun to listen to the lies that are thrown at you
When you betray someone’s trust, you also hurt your own self
Repent and turn away from it or you’ll open doors to more lies.
“Mammon” is an Aramaic word that essentially means “riches” or “wealth”. In a religious context, it’s often personified as a money demon or false god, representing the worship of material possessions and the desire for gain. We witness here that it was the spirit of Mammon that led Judas to betray his Master Jesus. In John 12:5-6, we know that Judas was the treasurer and helped himself with the money and he was angry that Mary used expensive perfume to anoint Jesus’ feet. Judas betrayed Jesus over money. But if we look at the spiritual context of this betrayal, it was about idolatry of money. He gave up his service to the Lord and served his mammon god.
REFLECTION
• Share some insights on your experience of someone with the spirit of mammon.
