The Right Name, the Wrong Heart
"Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples" - John 18:2
There’s something unsettling about how familiar Judas was with Jesus. He knew where Jesus would be. He had walked with Him, eaten with Him, watched Him perform miracles, and listened to Him teach. He was close enough to know Jesus’ patterns. So when the time came to betray Him, he knew exactly where to go. Judas was looking for the right person, but with the wrong heart.
He didn’t come alone. A crowd followed, carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons. On the surface, it looked like a group searching for Jesus. But that search was shallow. It was physical, not spiritual. Jesus wasn’t hiding. He stepped forward, asking, “Who is it that you’re seeking?” And even then, they did not truly see Him for who He was.
It’s a sobering reminder. You can be around the things of God, you can know the right places, say the right words, and still miss Him completely. Being familiar with Jesus is not the same as following Him. Showing up at the right location means nothing if your heart is not aligned with His.
Judas had all the right proximity but none of the right posture. He stood in the garden, close to the Savior, yet his spirit was far away. He was seeking the right name, but his soul was closed off. What he needed wasn’t another meeting spot. What he needed was surrender.
This is not just a moment in Judas' story. It is a mirror. It forces us to stop and ask: Am I truly seeking Jesus with my heart, or am I just familiar with where He tends to be? The difference is everything. Jesus is not just looking for people who know the way to the garden. He is looking for hearts that are open, honest, and ready to follow wherever He leads.
There’s something unsettling about how familiar Judas was with Jesus. He knew where Jesus would be. He had walked with Him, eaten with Him, watched Him perform miracles, and listened to Him teach. He was close enough to know Jesus’ patterns. So when the time came to betray Him, he knew exactly where to go. Judas was looking for the right person, but with the wrong heart.
He didn’t come alone. A crowd followed, carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons. On the surface, it looked like a group searching for Jesus. But that search was shallow. It was physical, not spiritual. Jesus wasn’t hiding. He stepped forward, asking, “Who is it that you’re seeking?” And even then, they did not truly see Him for who He was.
It’s a sobering reminder. You can be around the things of God, you can know the right places, say the right words, and still miss Him completely. Being familiar with Jesus is not the same as following Him. Showing up at the right location means nothing if your heart is not aligned with His.
Judas had all the right proximity but none of the right posture. He stood in the garden, close to the Savior, yet his spirit was far away. He was seeking the right name, but his soul was closed off. What he needed wasn’t another meeting spot. What he needed was surrender.
This is not just a moment in Judas' story. It is a mirror. It forces us to stop and ask: Am I truly seeking Jesus with my heart, or am I just familiar with where He tends to be? The difference is everything. Jesus is not just looking for people who know the way to the garden. He is looking for hearts that are open, honest, and ready to follow wherever He leads.
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