Luke 22:1

Luke 22:1 says, Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.  The time of the feast of Passover was near.  This is a very important celebration for the Jewish people, since it commemorates the angel passing over their children when the Egyptian children were killed by God as a judgment of Pharoah.  Verse two adds, And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.  The chief priests and scribes were still trying to figure out how they could kill Jesus without suffering the wrath of the people who were following Him.  These were the most powerful religions people of that day, and they were trying to figure out how to kill Jesus safely.  Though many people are attempting to deny that Jesus Christ lived, died and was rose from the dead to be the everlasting Passover for all who believe in Him, let's hope that religions leaders aren't doing so.  Verse three states, Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.  Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve disciples, those closest to Jesus.  I am not sure if he started following Jesus in sincerity and then found that He was not Who Judas wanted Him to be or not, but whatever his reasons, Judas now gave in to the influence of Satan.  He had not put his faith in Jesus alone.  People may attempt to follow Jesus without totally putting their faith in Him, but they will always fail by giving in to the influence of Satan.  There can be no followers of Christ who only partially believe in Him.  Verse four adds, And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.  Judas went to the chief priests and captains, the religious leaders, to see how he could best betray Jesus.  Without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we cannot serve God, and some religious leaders may even try to lead us away from Jesus Christ.  If they pronounce that Jesus Christ is not the only way to salvation, and we believe them, they are leading us away from Him and into following Satan.  Verse five continues, And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.  The chief priests and captains were glad to have one of Jesus's closest disciples to be willing to betray Him, so they paid Judas.  Too many professed Christians today are willing to sell out Jesus and what He teaches us if the price is right.  We cannot allow material gain to be more important than our relationship with Jesus Christ and faithfully follow Him.  Verse six adds, And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.  Judas promised these religious leaders that he would find a time to betray Jesus when the crowds weren't around.  He was in an ideal place to do this, and so are some today who claim to be followers of Christ in an ideal position to betray Him and even to lead others away from Him.