The most tragic life
The Bible tells us that Jesus chose twelve disciples to be
his full time followers and helpers. These are their names: Simon who Jesus surnamed Peter, and Andrew his
brother; James and John the sons of Zebedee. Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and
Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus (sometimes called James
the Less), and Lebbaeus whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanites or Zealot
and Judas Iscariot.
Jesus gave these men power over all demons and to cure all
diseases. They also were called to preach the gospel of repentance (Matt 10:1-8a;
Mark 6:8-13; Luke 9:2-6).
But, there was one disciple who did all the things the 11
did, but was not true. He was Judas Iscariot the last one always mentioned in
the roll call of the apostles.
It is important that we ask the
question, was Judas genuinely saved at one point, but due to his betrayal of
Jesus lost his salvation and became eternally lost or was he chosen like the
rest, but was never a true follower of our Lord Jesus?
This
matter is critical and we need to examine it carefully.
Jesus knew along Judas would
betray him for he said in John 6:70-71, “Did I not choose you the twelve and
one of you is a devil?” He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of
the twelve.
So, we must ask another question,
why did Jesus choose Judas knowing he would betray Him?
Jesus chose Judas to fulfill the
word of God. Judas betrayal is prophesied by King David in Psalm 41:9: “Even my
own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.”
David was most likely speaking
about an actual friend, but the Spirit of God prophesied through David to speak
about the future betrayal of Jesus by Judas. There are several prophesies in
the Bible that are what scholars call Messianic prophesies (i.e. referencing the Messiah).
Psalm 41:9 is one of them.[i]
Jesus quotes this same verse the
night of his betrayal at the last supper which was the institution of holy
communion; a sacrament that believers practice today. Jesus said in Matthew
26:24, “The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by
whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better (italics added) if that man had never been born.” What an indictment
against Judas! We must keep in mind is that not only did Judas betray the
Messiah the savior of mankind, he betrayed God Almighty in the flesh!
Most
tragic.
Now I must ask the billion dollar
question, since it was prophesied before he was born that he would betray
Jesus, how could Judas be held responsible for his actions? Judas betrayal was
predetermined by God. Did not God plan the betrayal of Jesus?
Although God knows all things and
sovereignly made provision for the betrayal
of His Son by Judas, it by no means made Judas less culpable for his sinful
actions. Jesus taught a doctrine of repentance and salvation for three years so
he had no excuse for his behavior. Judas
acted independently because of his love for money. That is why he sold Jesus
out for 30 pieces of silver; the price of a slave (Ex 21:32). This also showed
Judas contempt he had for his Lord; Judas regarded Him as a common slave. Truly
Judas had been possessed by the devil at this point (Luke 22:3; John 13:27).
Judas was unaware that he was fulfilling prophecy. He willfully betrayed Jesus
because he was evil; how much more so should he be righteously condemned when
he was in the presence of Jesus for three years?
Jesus reiterates in John 17:12
that Judas amongst the twelve was lost so that scripture could be fulfilled.
Judas was chosen for that reason and that reason alone; he was never chosen for
salvation as the others were.
Just like Joseph’s older brothers sold him
into slavery for twenty shekels of silver the price of a slave at that time, in
like manner Judas sold Jesus as a slave to his enemies (Gen 37:28; Matt 26:15).
Judas followed Jesus not because he loved Him and recognized his own
sinfulness. He did it for the money ultimately.
Sounds like a lot of false
teachers today who are only in the church for the money. They do not love God
or His people.
What
ended up being Judas’s fate?
Fear and guilt gripped Judas once he realized the
enormity of his sin for he said to the religious leaders, “I have betrayed
innocent blood and threw the money down in the temple and hanged himself “(Matt
27:3-5).
Did Judas repent? Yes. But it was not godly sorrow that led to
genuine repentance and salvation. Judas was a pathetic victim of his own
inherent wickedness acted out to the full. Judas thought it was better as we
say “on the other side” where he thought the grass was greener. Since
Judas loved money, he felt by getting money by any means necessary; even
betraying Jesus, it would satisfy him. But once he was stricken with guilt by sending
an innocent man to his death for chump change, and realizing his lust for money
brought only condemnation instead of satisfaction, Satan who was in him drove
him to kill himself which brought him satisfaction for he comes only but to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). Our adversary the devil goes about as a
roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8).
That is what he did with Judas,
and that’s what he wants to do with us.
Judas no doubt was the most
tragic soul in all of human history. Why do I say that? He had all the
privileges of the other disciples. And for a time, appeared to be genuine
follower of Jesus Christ. It goes to show us that appearances are often
tragically deceiving. Judas preached the gospel, performed miracles, healed diseases,
cast out demons, raise the dead (Matt 10:8). Learned from the greatest Teacher,
Preacher, Prophet, Evangelist, Apostle of the universe the Lord Jesus Christ.
And yet for all that, died and went to hell for a mere 30 pieces of silver?
Unthinkable.
Jesus himself said it would have
been better for Judas not to have been born than to betray him (Matt 26:24). Judas
with open eyes knew what he was doing although he was unaware of the depth of
his treachery until Jesus was condemned (Matt 27:3). Judas felt sorry for what
he did, but that ungodly sorrow impeded his ability to genuinely repent for sinning
against the almighty. His guilt drove him to destruction instead of godly
sorrow and repentance. He was driven away from God instead of to God. Had Judas
not killed himself he could have gone to Jesus and begged for forgiveness, but
he never gave himself the chance for the guilt of his sin was far greater than
any humility he may have had to implore
God’s forgiveness of his sins.
Jesus restored Peter when he
denied Him (John 21:15-17). Judas was beyond restoration once he committed suicide.
He was/is eternally lost.
[i]
Some others are Psalm 22, 34, 68, 69.
[ii] God’s
reason for planning Jesus’s betrayal and capture was so that he could be
crucified, buried and raise from the dead for the elect’s justification. The
Father planned this out of love for mankind. Judas’s reason for betraying our
Lord was purely from hatred and selfish motives. What Judas and the devil planned for evil, God orchestrated it for
good; the salvation of mankind. God uses good and evil to fulfill his sovereign
plan proving he is Lord over all things; even the evil which also serves Him.
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