The Judas Tragedy (Falling from Grace, Part 2)
“Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment Judas sought an opportunity to betray Jesus” Matthew 26:14-16. “Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; seize him” (Matthew 26:47-48.)
It’s an interesting story within the story. Judas was one of the 12, chosen by Jesus to be one of the select group who would be sent with the good news after spending three years with him. Judas heard his teaching, saw his miracles, experienced how he effectively handled the critics – and yet somehow went astray.
“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 for that man if he had not been born” Matthew 26:24.
Why? Why would Judas get so off track? All of the other apostles had their misgivings due to a misguided view of what the Messiah was supposed to do, but they didn’t betray him. They were perplexed by Jesus’ arrest and dying on the cross, yes, but they hung around until Jesus would appear to them, and after that all would go to their grave never denying Jesus’ resurrection, defending this truth in spite of severe persecution and ultimate death. Charles Colson said there were 12 people involved in the Watergate cover up, and almost none of them were willing to maintain the lie, because they knew it was a lie. He said for the apostles to never deny Jesus is pretty clear evidence they were convinced beyond doubt of his resurrection truth. Of course, Judas never got to experience the resurrection, he had killed himself before it happened. For whatever reason, maybe because Jesus never launched the expected political revolution, he was disenchanted. His betrayal was part of prophecy, but in spite of that his motive remains a mystery. How do you spend such “up-close” time with Jesus for three years and in the end deny him?
Maybe we need to look in the mirror and ask that same question. How many years have you been a Christian, or at least a church goer who has heard biblical preaching and teaching? For me it has been 60 years as a Christian. Does that make my salvation and entry into heaven assured? Some would say yes, but I believe the scriptures would say no. It is what I’m calling The Judas Tragedy. Being a Christian who is saved by Jesus is always a choice. Even the word “Christian” indicates we are following. If we are not, we are not a Christian. Judas, after following Jesus “up-close” for three years, chose to walk away. You have that choice also.
“Many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray” Matt. 24:10, 11. “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it…how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation” Hebrews 2:1-3.
What does all this mean? It means we must be diligent, purposeful, in our discipleship. Nothing is automatic. And our culture, our own tendency toward sin, the temptations of the devil, all seek to throw us off track. You are not exempt, and neither am I. “Take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability” 2 Peter 3:17. Be intentional in your Christian walk.
Question: What is your number one resource for remaining faithful? Number two? Number three?
It’s an interesting story within the story. Judas was one of the 12, chosen by Jesus to be one of the select group who would be sent with the good news after spending three years with him. Judas heard his teaching, saw his miracles, experienced how he effectively handled the critics – and yet somehow went astray.
“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 for that man if he had not been born” Matthew 26:24.
Why? Why would Judas get so off track? All of the other apostles had their misgivings due to a misguided view of what the Messiah was supposed to do, but they didn’t betray him. They were perplexed by Jesus’ arrest and dying on the cross, yes, but they hung around until Jesus would appear to them, and after that all would go to their grave never denying Jesus’ resurrection, defending this truth in spite of severe persecution and ultimate death. Charles Colson said there were 12 people involved in the Watergate cover up, and almost none of them were willing to maintain the lie, because they knew it was a lie. He said for the apostles to never deny Jesus is pretty clear evidence they were convinced beyond doubt of his resurrection truth. Of course, Judas never got to experience the resurrection, he had killed himself before it happened. For whatever reason, maybe because Jesus never launched the expected political revolution, he was disenchanted. His betrayal was part of prophecy, but in spite of that his motive remains a mystery. How do you spend such “up-close” time with Jesus for three years and in the end deny him?
Maybe we need to look in the mirror and ask that same question. How many years have you been a Christian, or at least a church goer who has heard biblical preaching and teaching? For me it has been 60 years as a Christian. Does that make my salvation and entry into heaven assured? Some would say yes, but I believe the scriptures would say no. It is what I’m calling The Judas Tragedy. Being a Christian who is saved by Jesus is always a choice. Even the word “Christian” indicates we are following. If we are not, we are not a Christian. Judas, after following Jesus “up-close” for three years, chose to walk away. You have that choice also.
“Many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray” Matt. 24:10, 11. “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it…how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation” Hebrews 2:1-3.
What does all this mean? It means we must be diligent, purposeful, in our discipleship. Nothing is automatic. And our culture, our own tendency toward sin, the temptations of the devil, all seek to throw us off track. You are not exempt, and neither am I. “Take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability” 2 Peter 3:17. Be intentional in your Christian walk.
Question: What is your number one resource for remaining faithful? Number two? Number three?
Posted in Waking Up Eutychus