James Spiegel offers a thoughtful essay here on the politics of Judas. He explores the motivation of Judas arguing that it was not money that prompted him to betray Jesus, but politics. He rightfully warns us that putting politics before individual spiritual renewal is a timeless temptation.

“All Americans can agree on this much: We live in a highly disordered society with many corrupt, dangerous leaders at the helm. But we know it need not be this way. We can envision a much more just civic life, including better leaders, more just laws, and more reliable legal processes. It is within our grasp, if only the right policies were implemented and, toward that end, the right people were elected to bring that about. This is a natural and reasonable desire. So our political engagement is right, good, and proper. 

But serious political engagement easily turns to idolatry. Our love for Christ can be overwhelmed by our desire for political justice. That’s when our pursuit of righteousness becomes obscured by passion for policy. The quest for personal revival is displaced by a desire for national revival. And Christ, the king of our hearts, is pursued as a means to achieve earthly kingdom ends.”