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is hands were a continual temptation。 Often when he did a little service for Christ； or devoted time to religious purposes； he paid himself out of this meager fund。 In his own eyes these pretexts served to excuse his action； but in God's sight he was a thief。
Christ's oft…repeated statement that His kingdom was not of this world offended Judas。 He had marked out a line upon which he expected Christ to work。 He had planned that John the Baptist should be delivered from prison。 But lo； John was left to be beheaded。 And Jesus； instead of asserting His royal right and avenging the death of John； retired with His disciples into a country place。 Judas wanted more aggressive warfare。 He thought that if Jesus would not prevent the disciples from carrying out their schemes； the work would be more successful。 He marked the increasing enmity of the Jewish leaders； and saw their challenge unheeded when they demanded from Christ a sign from heaven。 His heart was open to unbelief； and the enemy supplied thoughts of questioning and rebellion。 Why did Jesus dwell so much upon that which was discouraging？ Why did He predict trial and persecution for Himself and for His disciples？ The prospect of having a high place in the new kingdom had led Judas to espouse the cause of Christ。 Were his hopes to be disappointed？ Judas had not decided that Jesus was not the Son of God； but he was questioning； and seeking to find some explanation of His mighty works。
Notwithstanding the Saviour's own teaching； Judas was continually advancing the idea that Christ would reign as king in Jerusalem。 At the feeding of the five thousand he tried to bring this about。 On this occasion Judas assisted in distributing the food to the hungry multitude。 He had an opportunity to see the benefit which it was in his power to impart to others。 He felt the satisfaction that always comes in service to God。 He helped to bring the sick and suffering from among the multitude to Christ。 He saw what relief； what joy and gladness； come to human hearts through the healing power of the Restorer。 He might have comprehended the methods of Christ。 But he was blinded by his own selfish desires。 Judas was first to take advantage of the enthusiasm excited by the miracle of the loaves。 It was he who set on foot the
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project to take Christ by force and make Him king。 His hopes were high。 His disappointment was bitter。
Christ's discourse in the synagogue concerning the bread of life was the turning point in the history of Judas。 He heard the words； 〃Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man； and drink His blood； ye have no life in you。〃 John 6：53。 He saw that Christ was offering spiritual rather than worldly good。 He regarded himself as farsighted； and thought he could see that Jesus would have no honor； and that He could bestow no high position upon His followers。 He determined not to unite himself so closely to Christ but that he could draw away。 He would watch。 And he did watch。
From that time he expressed doubts that confused the disciples。 He introduced controversies and misleading sentiments； repeating the arguments urged by the scribes and Pharisees against the claims of Christ。 All the little and large troubles and crosses； the difficulties and the apparent hindrances to the advancement of the gospel； Judas interpreted as evidences against its truthfulness。 He would introduce texts of Scripture that had no connection with the truths Christ was presenting。 These texts； separated from their connection； perplexed the disciples； and increased the discouragement that was constantly pressing upon them。 Yet all this was done by Judas in such a way as to make it appear that he was conscientious。 And while the disciples were searching for evidence to confirm the words of the Great Teacher； Judas would lead them almost imperceptibly on another track。 Thus in a very religious； and apparently wise； way he was presenting matters in a different light from that in which Jesus had given them； and attaching to His words a meaning that He had not conveyed。 His suggestions were constantly exciting an ambitious desire for temporal preferment； and thus turning the disciples from the important things they should have considered。 The dissension as to which of them should be greatest was generally excited by Judas。
When Jesus presented to the rich young ruler the condition of discipleship； Judas was displeased。 He thought that a mistake had been made。 If such men as this ruler could be connected with the believers； they would help sustain Christ's cause。 If Judas were only received as a counselor； he thought； he could suggest many plans for the advantage of the little church。 His principles and methods would differ somewhat from Christ's； but in these things he thought himself wiser than Christ。
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In all that Christ said to His disciples； there was something with which； in heart； Judas disagreed。 Under his influence the leaven of disaffection was fast doing its work。 The disciples did not see the real agency in all this； but Jesus saw that Satan was communicating his attributes to Judas； and thus opening up a channel through which to influence the other disciples。 This； a year before the betrayal； Christ declared。 〃Have not I chosen you twelve；〃 He said； 〃and one of you is a devil？〃 John 6：70。
Yet Judas made no open opposition； nor seemed to question the Saviour's lessons。 He made no outward murmur until the time of the feast in Simon's house。 When Mary anointed the Saviour's feet； Judas manifested his covetous disposition。 At the reproof from Jesus his very spirit seemed turned to gall。 Wounded pride and desire for revenge broke down the barriers； and the greed so long indulged held him in control。 This will be the experience of everyone who persists in tampering with sin。 The elements of depravity that are not resisted and overcome； respond to Satan's temptation； and the soul is led captive at his will。
But Judas was not yet wholly hardened。 Even after he had twice pledged himself to betray the Saviour； there was opportunity for repentance。 At the Passover supper Jesus proved His divinity by revealing the traitor's purpose。 He tenderly included Judas in the ministry to the disciples。 But the last appeal of love was unheeded。 Then the case of Judas was decided； and the feet that Jesus had washed went forth to the betrayer's work。
Judas reasoned that if Jesus was to be crucified； the event must come to pass。 His own act in betraying the Saviour would not change the result。 If Jesus was not to die； it would only force Him to deliver Himself。 At all events； Judas would gain something by his treachery。 He counted that he had made a sharp bargain in betraying his Lord。
Judas did not； however； believe that Christ would permit Himself to be arrested。 In betraying Him； it was his purpose to teach Him a lesson。 He intended to play a part that would make the Saviour careful thenceforth to treat him with due respect。 But Judas knew not that he was giving Christ up to death。 How often； as the Saviour taught in parables； the scribes and Pharisees had been carried away with His striking illustrations！ How often they had pronounced judgment against themselves！ Often when the truth was brought home to their hearts； they had been filled with rage； and had taken up stones to cast at Him；
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but again and again He had made His escape。 Since He had escaped so many snares； thought Judas； He certainly would not now allow Himself to be taken。
Judas decided to put the matter to the test。 If Jesus really was the Messiah； the people； for whom He had done so much； would rally about Him； and would proclaim Him king。 This would forever settle many minds that were now in uncertainty。 Judas would have the credit of having placed the king on David's throne。 And this act would secure to him the first position； next to Christ； in the new kingdom。
The false disciple acted his part in betraying Jesus。 In the garden； when he said to the leaders of the mob； 〃Whomsoever I shall kiss； that same is He： hold Him fast〃 （Matt。 26：48）； he fully believed that Christ would escape out of their hands。 Then if they should blame him； he could say； Did I not tell you to hold Him fast？
Judas beheld the captors of Christ； acting upon his words； bind Him firmly。 In amazement he saw that the Saviour suffered Himself to be led away。 Anxiously he followed Him from the garden to the trial before the Jewish rulers。 At every movement he looked for Him to surprise His enemies； by appearing before them as the Son of God； and setting at nought all their plots and power。 But as hour after hour went by； and Jesus submitted to all the abuse heaped upon Him； a terrible fear came to the traitor that he had sold his Master to His death。
As the trial drew to a close； Judas could endure the torture of his guilty conscience no longer。 Suddenly a hoarse voice rang through the hall； sending a thrill of terror to all hearts： He is innocent； spare Him； O Caiaphas！
The tall form of Judas was now seen pressing through the startled throng。 His face was pale and haggard； and great drops of sweat st