A Religious Fraud—The case of Judas has been presented to me as a lesson for all. Judas was with Christ through the entire period of the Saviour’s public ministry. He had all that Christ could give him. Had he used his capabilities with earnest diligence, he could have accumulated talents. Had he sought to be a blessing, instead of a questioning, criticizing, selfish man, the Lord would have used him to advance His kingdom. But Judas was a speculator. He thought that he could manage the finances of the church, and by his sharpness in business get gain. He was divided in heart. He loved the praise of the world. He refused to give up the world for Christ. He never committed his eternal interests to Christ. He had a superficial religion, and therefore he speculated upon his Master and betrayed Him to the priests, being fully persuaded that Christ would not allow Himself to be taken. {5BC 1101.7}

Et religiøst bedrageri. - Judas’ tilfælde er blevet præsenteret til mig som en lektie for alle: Judas var hos Kristus under hele Frelserens offentlige virksomhed. Han havde alt det som Kristus kunne give ham. Havde han brugt sine evner med alvorlig iver, kunne hans talenter have vokset. Havde han søgt at være en velsignelse, i stedet for en betvivlende, kritiserende og selvisk mand, ville Herren have brugt ham til at fremme Hans rige. Men Judas var spekulant. Han tænkte at han kunne lede menighedens finanser, og få vinding ved sine skarpsindige forretninger. I hjertet (1102) var han splittet. Han elskede verdens pris. Han nægtede at opgive verden for Kristus. Han overgav aldrig sine evige interesse for Kristus. Han havde en overfladisk religion, og derfor spekulerede han på sin Mester og bedrog Ham til præsterne, fuldt overbevist om at Kristus ikke ville lade Sig tage til fange.