Although the Lord Jesus knew the intentions of Judas’ heart, King Duncan had never suspected that Macbeth would betray him. In fact, no one had ever suspected the once-esteemed general, or, for that matter, the disciple of Jesus, to carry out such cruel acts. The displeasure in Macbeth’s heart and his main objective to become king and his thirst for power drove him to take the lives of not only the king, but also those of Banquo, a general in the late-king’s army; Lady Macduff, the wife of Nobleman Macduff; Lady MacDuff’s children; and others. For Judas, the promise of payment for his Master’s arrest was enough for him to hand his Lord over.
Although their motives were different—Macbeth’s was discontent and hunger for power, and Judas’ was love of money—both men are known throughout history as traitors; they both had so much potential in the beginning, but in the end, died as hated, condemned men.
Both stories illustrate the truth of James 1:14-15 when it says, “14But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to