Let’s talk about Judas today. We all know Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus for a bag of coins (silver). This name is now synonymous with betrayal, backstabbing, disloyalty, treachery and such like. To the extent that when someone calls you a Judas, everyone knows what they are referring to.

Firstly, let me say this, if Jesus can have a Judas, who are you and I not to have one?. I am sure, many of us have a Judas in our lives currently, even if we don’t know it yet or had a Judas in our past. So, if you and I can have a Judas, it is important to learn how to navigate them.  

The first thing I would like to say about Judases in our lives is that we often take matters into our own hands, forgetting God and behaving and acting as we shouldn’t. Essentially, we make a mess of things without first acknowledging His Majesty (God). To avoid this, we must acknowledge God in all our ways so that He may direct our paths (Proverbs 3:6).

Let me share a personal example of this. About 10 years ago, the company I was working for was restructuring, and I was earmarked to be moved to a different client location.  However, one of our employees who worked at that location did not want me there. So, he spoke to our client, who then told my company they would not authorize me to work on their site. The actions of this individual caused me great distress since being unable to be redeployed to that location was equivalent to losing my job in the restructuring.

I was praying and fasting about this situation because I did not want to lose my job and not be able to take care of my family. Then, one day, while pleading with God in prayer, he said to me, “Dane, this is an opportunity for you to trust me.” Honestly, it was like I had literally heard God tell me this. Immediately, I stopped praying and never prayed about it again, deciding to allow God to deal with my Judas.

Now, let me tell you how this story ends. My company created another position for me, and within 2 months, the person who did not want me at the client site was debarred from working there in an embarrassing way and was out of a position for some time. The exact same thing he wanted for me befell him. He set a booby trap for me, but he did not realize that God was with me and when God is with you, booby traps backfire. To this, I say, “Be careful of the grave you dig for others because you might be digging your own.”

Trusting God works, my friend, and He can transform your time of Judas into a time of Joy. But you must allow God to fight your battles and not take things into your own hands.

God’s hands are always better than our hands, but I don’t know why we still like to take up arms and do our own thing. Let me share some statistics with you. Research was conducted on 30 wars from ancient to modern times, and these wars were comprised of 280 battles. Notably, only 6 out of the 280 battles/campaigns were frontal attacks (Book Reference – The Obstacle is the Way).  Friends, this means that head-on battles were only use 2% of the time. Let that soak in for a minute. These generals and strategists of war were wise enough to know that head on confrontations were ineffective in battle. They knew that these types of attacks caused the most damage and injury to their troops. Therefore, outmaneuvering their enemy was the best approach and most often used.

This shows us that we must use an alternative approach when our enemy comes at us directly. If they come with an air attack, see if you can get them by sea. If they come directly, evaluate if you can flank them from behind. Avoid coming at them as they came to you (frontal attack), and stop using an approach that is only successful 2% of the time.  Instead, repatriate with the opposite or an alternative approach.  For example , look at these two alternative approaches God’s word showed us.

“Matthew 5:38-40 (NIV) – 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.

Proverbs 15:1 – A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

Jesus further showed us how to deal with our Judases with this His of love. Christ sat around the Last Supper table with Judas close to him and was unbothered about his wicked plans. Jesus broke bread with him and treated him no less than any other faithful disciple. This tells me that Foe and Friend get equal love at the Master’s table. If this was the kind of man Jesus was, then this is the kind of man I want to be!

Jesus knew of the wicked plans but was unphased because God was in control. It is God who prepares the table before me in the presence of my enemies (Psalm 23:5). God prepares the table, sets it out, arranges the seating, and sends out the guest’s invitations (Friend and Foe). All I must do is come and sit down in confidence and dine. If Judases in our lives can do their wrong and then come and dine comfortably and unbothered at our table(presence), why are we allowing ourselves to feel bothered when seated at theirs?  

My friends, let not your heart be troubled; be at peace and have confidence in your God to work out every difficult situation. Stop focusing on who is at your table opposing you and start focusing on the God next to you who is protecting you.

PS: Dane Miller was last seen having a lavish banquet with friends and foes. Those who saw him said he looked unbothered and very much at peace with all.

Part 2 of this blog can be found here – Learn to Sit at the Table with Your Judas – Part 2

Your Brother in the Lord,

Dane Miller – “God is the Author, I am the Pen”

Authored Book – What is the Woman Saying – Lessons from Biblical Women.

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