“Judas” (Matthew 26:14ff; 27:57ff; 18:1ff; John 3; Luke 18:18ff; 1 John 1:1ff) [Reflections on Sun Tsu's Art Of War #13-1-2]

For thirty pieces you’ll sell out your team –
At least, to me that’s what this text can mean;
For silver, gold, and such-like in the end
Can most inside the core their values bend.

“Internal spies”, the “Moles” in movies seen,
Sell out for cash, or thought for which they’re keen;
Some worthy men degraded from their posts,
Are quick to talk, and see their buddies roast.

Or criminals in past, who’ve done their time
Add on to this the “Treason” labeled crime,
As they can’t get a job once they get out –
Approach them – see if they will turn about.

The concubines, or mistresses of Kings,
Who lust for gold and all such precious things,
Are ripe for picking, like low-hanging fruit –
Quick to sell off state-secrets for some loot.

The juniors in bureaucracy, aggrieved
At low positions – sometimes they believe
Their prospects elsewhere lie, so sell the facts
To get ahead, at same time pay them back.

The folks who miss a competition for
Promotions, who’ve been shown the exit door,
Are often open ’bout the things they know;
Delighted their job-research to bestow –

Upon some rival faction, enemy,
If they’re convinced you see their quality;
If promised there’ll be opportunity
To rise once more upon your victory.

Then too, there’s fickle turncoats who desire
To have a foot in each boat, come the fire,
Who play both ends against the middle part –
They’ll talk if their career can now re-start.

Sun Tzu says sidle up quite secretly,
And bind them to your interests privately;
Rich presents often lubricate their tongues,
Until their stores of knowledge they have sung.

This way a country’s state affairs are known,
And plans now formed against you soon are blown;
A chance to drive a wedge between the King
And ministers, can such endeavors bring.

But there’s a need for caution in such tasks,
For inside-spies can rat out what you ask;
For loyalty can be a subtle thing,
And inside-agents do much more than sing.

Lord, You weren’t fooled by Judas in Your day –
You urged him to repent and turn away
From what he planned to do as he saw fit;
But Judas could not turn away from it.

Which gives a clue to me how men relate
To evil they encounter at the gate –
Past demons who’ve gained access, unresolved,
Play out their sad agendas, once involved.

It’s loss of status, punishment, and greed;
Passed over-ones who feel themselves aggrieved;
The under-utilized who’s dancing feet
Seek steppingstones to glory days so sweet –

Those are the ways we see that evil flows
Into our hearts, as everybody knows;
Our vanity and pride, lust of our eyes –
The lesser things in life – best we despise.

For that’s where we’re susceptible at last
To devil and his ways – the die is cast
Once we succumb to lesser ways of life,
To get ahead amidst the whirl and strife.

I’m hearing, Lord, that’s not the Kingdom-way
To lure adherents to their better day,
But rather, tempt them to their better selves,
And enter life divine – get off their shelves –

And take their worthy place, as so desired,
In You, on Kingdom-layer – like if they are fired –
There’s place for each and every person here,
If they would drop agendas and drawn near.

Lord, I agree that caution is the rule,
From long before kids ever go to school,
For self is such central pivot-point
Since we left Eden, self-hood to anoint –

As central aspect of our lives forthwith –
Despite how it has put us in the pit;
“Just try a little harder”, culture shouts
To us when we’re confused, or filled with doubt.

Lord, free us from the second-rate in life;
Remove the roads of access in the fight
We find ourselves embroiled in, where we see,
That evil has approached alluringly.

Thanks Lord for this.

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