Rationalization

How could Judas have ever fallen for the temptation to betray Jesus? Think about how well Judas knew Jesus. Judas had experienced Jesus’ love to him firsthand. There could be no mistaking it. He had seen how Jesus’ every word and every action, without exception, were so very loving. Surely he had to love Jesus, too. How could he not love Jesus?

The theory is that Judas saw a chance to push Jesus to announce that he is the Messiah, the Christ, and that way advance the kingdom of God. Maybe he thought not only could he advance the kingdom of God, but he could make a cool 30 pieces of silver in the process and everything would be fine. All he’d have to do is betray Jesus. Betrayal: is that such a big deal? Well of course it is, but by the time one rationalizes it, it doesn’t really seem that way… until afterwards. Then Judas wakes up from the rationalizations, realizes what he has done and hangs himself.

The rationalization process we can go through to justify our pet sins can be quite involved. But it seems like it’s all right by the time we go through the process. Then when we’ve sinned and wake up to the fact of what we’ve done there is great remorse. But that’s not the end of it. Do not do as Judas did. Don’t kill yourself. Don’t beat yourself up. Remember that Jesus did die on the cross to pay for your sins. Remember that he rose to life on the third day. So repent. Confess your sins to God. Delight in the joy of relationship restored with God. And go, and rationalize no more.