Get Off The Ladder - The Opponents

Matthew 20:25-28 NIV 

[25] Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. [26] Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, [27] and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— [28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.20.25-28.NIV)

I have to be honest: I am against people who turn most issues in life into an ‘us versus them’. It’s the favourite tool of the populist who doesn’t want their voters to think too deeply about the issues. It’s the favourite weapon of the terrorist groomer or the gangland recruiter.

Few issues in life are ever that black and white. 

Except when it comes to spiritual matters. 

Now, for a start, we have to understand that every human being there ever was, is and will be is automatically on the wrong side of the tracks. That is just the reality (Romans 3:23).

But it’s what we do once we realise we’re there that determines which side we’re on – or if we ever properly want to realise it at all. 

We have seen already that there is a line between obedience and disobedience. We called it ‘the love line’ because obedience means loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and loving our neighbours as ourselves (Matthew 22:34-30).

We also saw how the sin of covetousness clearly belongs to the wrong side of the line. It’s never an expression of love; it’s always an expression of contempt and hatred. It is not an expression of how much we love someone; it’s an expression of how much we objectify them. 

That much, I would hope, is clear by now. 

We have studied the concept and seven times in the Old Testament (and one in the New Testament) where people coveted. We have seen how badly things ended up for them – how there was no Hollywood ending. 

But maybe you're still of the impression that somehow this sin is really not that bad. Maybe you thought that these tough punishments were something for the Old Testament, but now we live in the days of love and grace. God might have come down like a ton of bricks on these people in the past, but that was only to make an example of them. 

He wouldn’t do that nowadays, would He? 

During this study, we will look at three instances where covetousness was clearly and unequivocally expressed by someone in the Gospels. We will see what happened and how it was dealt with. 

Then we can reach a reasoned opinion on how God will deal with it in an age of grace. 

Let’s look first of all at The Slayer. 

The Slayer 

Matthew 2:16-18 NIV 

[16] When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. [17] Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: [18] “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.2.16-18.NIV)

Most families have an embarrassing secret they don’t want anyone to know about. The Slaughter of the Innocents is often treated like Christmas’ dark and embarrassing secret: the one thing we wish no-one knew about. The rest of the story is so nice, so comforting, so safe for our children. We forget entirely that Mary and Joseph had to journey to Bethlehem because of the whim of an autocrat, who was either seeking to tax or conscript those to registered in the census. Either way, only the occupying Roman forces would benefit. Not the Jews. 

Also, we forget that Mary was likely a pregnant, unmarried teenage mother who was almost divorced before she made that journey to Bethlehem. 

Christmas is for the kids only on the sense that it is for everyone. It is definitely not an easy, sanitised, safe tale. 

The Slaughter of the Innocents is simply the darker side of that tale. 

It is brutal. There is no escaping that fact. 

But what lay behind it is a heady cocktail of jealousy and envy/covetousness.  

Herod went after Jesus, who by now was a toddler, because even as a toddler Jesus had four things Herod lacked and wanted. 

Firstly identity.  

Put simply, Herod could not even come close. He was born in Idumaea, south of Judah, and was a practicing Jew, but was not a native Jew. His parents were of Edomite/Nabataean stock – considered even by the Romans as an Arab and not a Jew. 

Jesus, by comparison, had been born in Bethlehem, of the line of David (Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38). His lineage and pedigree were absolutely impeccable.  

Secondly, validity. 

Herod had been placed into position by the Romans. Those were his credentials. No doubt he wore their sponsorship with considerable pride. 

However, Jesus’ credentials and sponsorship were even more impressive. Kings and rulers of their day would have loved to have wise men from the east (likely Persia or Mesopotamia) to visit them and provide their seal of approval for their reign and rule. These men showed up to provide their approval, and then ask Herod where the one to be ‘born king of the Jews’ was.

This was a real slap in the face for Herod. He considered himself to be the king of the Jews, and here was a young child receiving the approval and recognition of these wise men instead of him. 

This recognition was to go to Jesus. 

Third, astrology. 

Before we go into this, we should say that astrology is not an approved ‘science’ for Christians. The Bible is firm in its condemnation of those who turn to the stars for knowledge and wisdom and neglect the Word of God (2 Kings 17:17; Isaiah 47:12; Jeremiah 10:2).  

That being said, these wise men told Herod they had been following a sign in the heavens that a king of the Jews had been born. Again, this would not have pointed to Herod. He had already been king for years. It pointed to someone else. Someone else had the approval from the heavens that Herod did not. 

Jesus Christ. 

And that was still not enough. There was also, fourthly, prophecy. 

Now, Herod was a Jew by practice, but not by birth. He carried out all the rituals but was not a Jew. At the time, multiple scholars stated that there was a general sense that something was about to happen in Judaea, on Herod’s watch. He asked the religious leaders and scribes to clarify what they knew, and their entirely passive response is, to be honest, very surprising: 

Matthew 2:4-6 NIV 

[4] When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. [5] “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: [6] “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.2.4-6.NIV)

So these men knew where the Messiah would be born – the One their people had longed for generations to come – and yet they handed this information to Herod and did not one thing with it themselves! 

The most surprising thing, though, is not that these men were so passive, but the sheer volume of prophecies Jesus’ birth fulfilled. Some scholars put the number at forty-eight, with over three hundred fulfilled over his lifetime. To set that into context, God had been silent in prophecy for four hundred years before Jesus was born. So the latest prophecy before Jesus was born was already at least four hundred years old. 

Herod could not claim that. 

In fact, Herod could claim none of these four signs. His credentials as a Roman vassal king looked pretty pathetic by comparison. 

Which is why this man, jealous to keep his own position and coveting what Jesus had in His favour, set out to commit one of the single most barbarous acts in all of history: 

Matthew 2:16 NIV 

[16] When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.  

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.2.16.NIV)

This singularly evil man decided to preserve his own position by killing toddlers. 

Disgusting. Utterly disgusting. 

But over the course human history, we have seen similarly sick dramas play out as other people do similar things. 

Even in churches and Christian organisations, people who simply cannot stand the thought of losing their power base and their position have stooped to appalling acts. 

If you are ever tempted to do that due to jealousy or covetousness, ask yourself if you would be comfortable in the company of  a man like Herod. 

Apart from the slayer, who, I have to admit, was more than a little extreme, we see The Players. 

The Players 

Luke 22:24-27 NIV 

[24] A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. [25] Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. [26] But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. [27] For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.  

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.22.24-27.NIV)

I once coached a boys’ five-a-side football team at a denominational sports day. I am pleased to say that I took them to never-seen-before heights: they reached the second round! 

Sports competitions are one thing. Competing for first place in the church is totally another. 

That is essentially what was happening here. In fact, it’s recorded as having happened on a few occasions:  

• After James and John had got their mother to ask Jesus to give them privileged places in His Kingdom (Matthew 20:20-28) 

• As they were headed to Capernaum (Mark 9:30-37) 

• After Jesus had been transfigured (Luke 9:46-48) 

• Quite astonishingly, after the Last Supper (Luke 22:24-27). 

On each of these occasions, this dispute is either preceeded or followed by the same thing: 

A prediction of Jesus’ crucifixion and death. 

Jesus was making a very potent point. These men were jostling for first place, while He was taking the last place of all. They were seeking glory, while He was bearing their shame. 

What this tells us is so very clear: it is completely wrong and totally out of place for a Christian to covet power, authority and wealth, when their Lord took the lowest place (Philippines 2:5-11). 

I have seen the most well-intentioned people fall into this trap, some of whom I would never have ever expected to be seduced by it.

However, that didn’t make it right. 

It is covetousness that drives us to seek power, authority and wealth. It is not love. Therefore that very desire is sin. 

The 2024 film ‘Conclave’ portrayed a fictional battle to elect a new Pope. It showed politicking and persuasion and power-seeking. 

None of these are fitting for anyone seeking to be like Christ. 

Jesus did not praise His followers for their false ambition. Instead, He set them straight, and did so on several different occasions. 

We have to listen to Him. 

This is wrong. 

Apart from the slayer and the players, we also see The Betrayer. 

The Betrayer 

Luke 22:1-6 NIV 

[1] Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, [2] and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. [3] Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. [4] And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. [5] They were delighted and agreed to give him money. [6] He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.22.1-6.NIV)

Now we really come to one of the most troubling, most challenging aspects of the Gospel story. Jesus had among His senior followers – His disciples – a man who from the very beginning seems not to have truly followed Him. On the outside, nothing was wrong.  

On the inside, nothing was right. 

Like many agents who turn against their country, it wasn’t idealism that changed his mind. 

It was money. 

Something that the leaders of the church later warned against: 

1 Timothy 6:6-10 NIV 

[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. [8] But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. [9] Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/1ti.6.6-10.NIV)

And quite rightly so, because they had a pertinent example of it within their midst. 

How can I make these bold accusations against Judas? For three reasons: 

What he said. 

We have the words of several disciples, even less prominent ones, recorded in the Gospels.

However, we have nothing from Judas, not even his calling, until the moments leading to his betrayal. And what is it that he talks about? 

Money. 

John 12:4-5 NIV 

[4] But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, [5] “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”  

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.12.4-5.NIV)

Now, on the outside this might seem like a thoroughly altruistic sentiment, until we see the next verse: 

John 12:6 NIV 

[6] He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.12.6.NIV)

So Judas really wanted the income from the sale of this expensive perfume for himself, not for the poor. 

Matthew made this observation about what happened next: 

Matthew 26:14-16 NIV 

[14] Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests [15] and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. [16] From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.26.14-16.NIV)

It would seem that the woman’s extravagant act of worship clashed with Judas’ profit-based thinking. When Jesus approved of what she had done, this seems to have been the last straw for Judas, and this is what triggered him to betray Jesus. 

Secondly, who he spoke to. 

As we saw earlier, after having his own treasured values undermined, Judas went straight to the Jewish leaders and offered to betray Jesus. And what inducement did they offer him? 

Money. 

Ironically, the price of compensation if a bull gored a slave (Exodus 21:32). Even the sum he was offered was a sign of the contempt these leaders had for Jesus. Yet Judas was more than happy to work with them to betray Jesus. 

Thirdly, the action he took. 

And this is truly awful. Not only did he betray Jesus, but he rather perversely did it with a gesture of friendship and affection: 

Luke 22:47-48 NIV 

[47] While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, [48] but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.22.47-48.NIV)

His desire for financial gain above all saw him twist love into something ugly and wrong. 

Possibly it’s due to the low regard with which he was held by the apostles and the Early Church, but the Gospels have nothing good to say about this man. He had no redeeming factors. They paint Judas as a man who was ‘in it for the money’ right from the very beginning and that is the desire which caused him to betray Jesus. 

Which is all very ironic, since an alarmingly high number of so-called ‘Christian’ ministries, in America and Nigeria in particular, preach a ‘Gospel’ of prosperity for their own financial gain, like some form of spiritualised pyramid salesmen. 

We absolutely should not fall for this. Jesus came into poverty so we might gain salvation.

He preached this about those who desire to be wealthy above all else: 

Matthew 6:19-24 NIV 

[19]  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [22]  “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. [23] But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! [24]  “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.6.19-24.NIV)

If we seek to be wealthy at any price, we are not worshipping God. Instead, we are worshipping an idol. We must repent of this. 

Because that’s what led Judas to betray Jesus, and it did not end well with him (Matthew 27:1-5; Acts 1:18-19). 

Christian, this is not for you. 

Conclusion  

Galatians 5:24 NIV 

[24] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.5.24.NIV)

One of the biggest bugbears in British towns and cities is the terrible mess left behind by discarded chewing gum. No-one likes it. It’s unsightly. It costs a lot of money to clean up. It’s just inconsiderate to discard it in a careless manner and very messy to see on the ground. 

The city state of Singapore has the answer: chewing gum is banned there. Fines for littering are very strict. CCTV cameras keep watch on people’s movements. The police, I am sure, would be very fast in responding to poor behaviour. 

Yet, of course, no-one in any Western country would be happy if their government took that hard line. We love our civil liberties too much. We hate that lazy, inconsiderate people make such a mess of our living spaces, but we want them to have the freedom to do it. 

What we have seen throughout these studies, and particularly in the Gospels, is just how serious covetousness is and the damage it causes. This study has shown that those who coveted – where it was the slayer (Herod), the players (the disciples) or the betrayer (Judas) – all ended up on the opposite side to Jesus. He called for His disciples to repent. Eventually, that’s what they seem to have done. 

But the same desires for power and position and pecuniary benefits (wealth) are not just present in the world, they are also present in the church. And that is wrong. Wherever they are, it is wrong. There can be no argument. We were commanded not to covet. We have coveted. That is wrong. We must repent of it. 

But are we really prepared to do anything about it? 

Coveting is a thought crime. It occurs in our mind and attitude before we do anything about it. Jesus does not want this sin to exist anywhere. That is why we are called to stamp out the thought before it takes root in our mind. 

We are free to covet. We are free to commit any sin. But we are also free to face the consequences. 

Jesus doesn’t hold back from the reality that there are consequences and they are serious. Just after relating the consequences for the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-20), Jesus warned us of this: 

Luke 12:21 NIV 

[21]  “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.12.21.NIV)

When we seek to be wealthy at any cost, it’s not a case of ‘Jesus and... but a case of ‘Jesus or...’. As Jesus Himself said: 

Matthew 6:24 NIV 

[24]  “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.6.24.NIV)

So when we covet anything but God, we set ourselves up for a life without God. 

And that ought to be too awful to contemplate. 

Prayer 

Lord Jesus, I see that coveting is not a minor issue. I don’t desire anything or anyone as much as I desire You. Thank You for showing me just how wrong coveting is. I want to be done with it. Help me to repent. Amen. 

Questions for Contemplation 

• Who are the three groups of people who coveted in the Gospels? Are you surprised by any of them? 

• What happened to them? What does this teach us about the consequences of coveting? 

• Why is coveting so wrong?