But, something happened. The Bible records it as occurring at the same time that a great number turned away from the Lord. The story started when Jesus Christ had really made a strong statement about total surrender. He stated, “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you” (John 6:53b). Jesus explained that this was a spiritual matter. “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Total surrender to Jesus Christ has never been popular.

It is then recorded, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” (John 6:66-67). Immediately after Peter affirmed that Jesus was the Son of God, Jesus Christ stated, “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve” (John 6:70b – 71). The strait way had become too strait for Judas, and Jesus Christ knew the heart of every disciple.

Immediately, Judas began to seek an occasion to betray the Son of God. At first it appears to be a fantasy matter, but as his heart waxed hard, the door was open to the devil. “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money” (Luke 22:3-5).

Even after this, Judas appears unstable and even unsure of his own real intent. At the Passover Supper, Jesus warns His disciples that one of them is going to betray Him. He gives them a sign of that person -- a sop of food from their community dish. “And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me” (Matthew 26:23). Judas then asked the Lord a revealing question. “Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said” (Matthew 26:25).

This incredible development begs for our understanding. Satan is seeking a door into every heart, and every saint of God must understand the keeping of his own soul. Paul spoke revealing words to the church at Ephesus. He stated, “Neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27). Judas had been a trusted disciple. He was the treasurer for Christ and the other eleven disciples. For one thing, money had somehow captured his heart.

His criticism of Mary for anointing the feet of Jesus with expensive spikenard, very costly, shows the developing trend in Judas’ life. “Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein” (John 12:4-6). We find it hard to understand how he was given the treasurer’s position. That certainly suggests he had been a faithful man at the beginning. I believe his fall began when the way became too strait. Luke, the author of Acts, made this statement concerning his replacement as one of the twelve, “That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place” (Acts 1:25).

Judas came right into the garden where Jesus was pouring out His soul unto death and betrayed Him with a kiss. He, along with the crowds of enemies, were even smitten backwards to the ground just by the captivating words of Jesus Christ, “I am he” (John 18:6b). A few hours later the whole matter unfolded on the conscience of Judas and he returned the blood money of the Son of God’s betrayal and death. The leaders of the temple taunted Judas for his efforts to remove his guilt. The “thirty pieces of silver” bought a potter’s field for the burial of strangers.

Is Christ’s way too strait for you? This closing hour before His return reveals a church world where Biblical standards are treated lightly or completely ignored. I call on our Salty Saints to rededicate themselves to the straight paths clearly established in Holy Scripture. We must not turn to the right or the left but walk in pure love for our Holy God.