So Close… Yet So Far

Text: Matthew 26:14–16 | John 12:4–6 | John 13:27

Introduction

Judas Iscariot. A name that makes us uncomfortable. A name we would rather keep at a distance.

But Judas was not distant from Jesus. He wasn’t an enemy watching from the crowd. He wasn’t a skeptic standing on the margins. He was one of the twelve—chosen, trusted, included. He walked the roads with Jesus. He heard the private teachings. He witnessed the miracles up close.

And yet, he was the one who handed Jesus over.

Why?

• How could someone so close to the Light choose darkness?
• How could proximity turn into betrayal—and for just thirty pieces of silver?

Before we rush to judge Judas, Scripture invites us to pause and look within. Because Judas’ story is not just about him. It is a mirror held up to every heart that can be close to Jesus… yet far from Him.

• Proximity to Truth Doesn’t Guarantee Transformation:

Judas lived in the presence of Truth, but never surrendered to it.He walked beside Jesus, but he never let Jesus rule his heart. He saw the blind receive sight. He watched the lame walk. He stood in awe as the dead were raised.

And yet—nothing changed within him.

Miracles surrounded him, but submission never took root.

This is a sobering truth for us today:

• You can be near Jesus and still not know Him.
• You can hear sermons, sing songs, study Scripture, even serve in ministry—and still remain untouched in the depths of your soul.

External closeness does not equal internal transformation.

Faith is not about being familiar with Jesus. Faith is about being formed by Him. Judas followed Jesus with his feet, but not with his heart.

• A Divided Heart Is a Dangerous Heart:

John tells us something revealing about Judas: “He kept the money bag—and used to help himself to what was put into it.” Judas followed Jesus—but he also followed his appetite for control, security, and gain. His heart was divided. And a divided heart will always demand a choice.

Jesus had already said it plainly:
“You cannot serve both God and money.”

Judas tried to hold both—and when the tension became unbearable, something had to give. What began as quiet compromise grew into open betrayal.

Sin rarely begins with a sudden fall. It begins with small loyalties we refuse to surrender.

Whatever we love more than Jesus will eventually pull us away from Him.

• He Regretted—But Didn’t Repent

When Judas realized the weight of what he had done, he was overwhelmed with remorse. He returned the silver.
He confessed, “I have sinned.” But instead of running to Jesus, he ran from hope.

Regret says, “I’m sorry I got caught.”
Repentance says, “Lord, I need Your mercy.”

Judas chose despair over grace. And here lies one of the most heartbreaking truths of the story:
Jesus was still near.
The cross was still ahead.
Forgiveness was still possible.

Peter denied Jesus too.
But Peter wept—and turned back.
And Jesus restored him.

Judas looked at his failure and believed it was bigger than God’s mercy.
It never is.

Conclusion:
Judas’ story is a tragedy—but it is also a warning.

• You can walk with Jesus.
• You can know the language of faith.
• You can do all the right things externally…

And still miss Him internally.

So today, the question is not: Are you close to Jesus?
The question is: Have you surrendered to Him?

Let this be our prayer:
“Lord, don’t let me just be near You.
Let me be Yours.”
Because proximity to truth does not save us.
Surrender to the Truth does.
Closing Prayer
Gracious Father,
We come before You with humbled hearts.

Search us, O God, and know us.
Reveal the places where we have learned to walk near You,
But resisted giving You full control.

Forgive us for divided loyalties.
Forgive us for quiet compromises.
Forgive us when we choose comfort, control, or gain over obedience and love.

Lord Jesus, we do not want to merely know about You.
We want to belong to You.

Create in us clean hearts.
Teach us true repentance—not just sorrow, but surrender.
And when we fail, draw us back to the cross,
Where mercy still flows and grace still restores.

Keep us from being close… yet far.
And lead us into lives fully yielded to You.

In Your holy and merciful name we pray.
Amen.