Series: Getting Acquainted With The 12 Apostles [#12]
JUDAS ISCARIOT- THE COMPANY OF THE BETRAYERS
Matthew 26:25
Introduction:
Who was this man Judas? He came from Kerioth, a little village in south Judea. He was the only 1 of the 12 who was not a Galilean. He probably was named after Judas Maccabeus, a man who led the Jews in a mighty war in past history. Perhaps Judas was possessed with his ambition to throw off the Roman yoke of bondage.
Hearing of the Messiah, Judas made his way to Galilee to see Him. He saw His great power and miracles, was drawn to him; and then 1 day, Jesus called him to be 1 of His Disciples. Judas became 1 of the 12. He was a fiery little man, a leader, full of zeal, selfish, fanatical, intolerant, and greedy.
Matthew 26:20-25 (NIV)
20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” 23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.”
1. The treason of Judas.
Judas betrayed Christ, but treason is not a characteristic of Judas alone. It has inscribed its black mark on people everywhere. In the Garden of Eden, we see Adam and Eve betraying God. Joseph's own brothers betrayed him. Ananias and Sapphira betrayed their Lord. Woven into the tapestry of the church are the words, "All forsook Him and fled." This is the real company of the betrayers.
Jesus made 1 last appeal to Judas before his betrayal. Can you visualize the scene that took place at the Last Supper? In those days the guests reclined on low couches, resting on their left elbow with the right hand free for raising food and drink. Clearly, John is at Jesus' right, for he was reclining on His bosom; but the most favored guest was placed at the host's left, for the host would be reclining with his head on the breast of the person on his left. It seems clear that Judas was occupying the place of special honor. At 1 point of the ceremony, some bitter herbs were placed between 2 pieces of unleavened bread, dipped in the broth, and eaten. That was called the sop; and for the host to personally make up the sop and hand it to a guest was a mark of distinct honor. Jesus handed the sop to Judas, then said, "One of you will betray me." Around the table they asked, "Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” When Judas asked, " Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi”; Jesus answered, "You have said so." So, Judas went out and made his plans for the betrayal. He knew where Jesus would be- His favorite place of prayer, the Garden of Gethsemane.
So, Judas, in the full light of the Passover moon, led the authorities there. We watch him as he comes into the Garden; soldiers carrying lanterns and staves are with him. Judas approaches Jesus quickly and quietly. He bows down, takes Jesus' hand, and kisses it, saying, "Master". A kiss on the hand was the token greeting between a disciple and his teacher. I do not think Judas betrayed Christ at once. He had tried to follow Christ, but his heart had never been able to do it fully. No person ever betrays Christ all at once. There is rarely ever 1 decisive act to reject our Lord; but an accumulation of small wrongs growing heavier and heavier until the rejection is complete.
Note 3 aspects of the treason:
? God called Judas to a high and holy place.
? Judas chose his own way.
Dismiss the idea that Judas was a mere puppet on a string. Jesus chose Judas to a high and holy place, but Judas refused and chose to go his own way.
? Judas, choosing his own way, went to his own place.
His act had consequences. His destiny was determined by his choice. You and I are free moral agents. We make our choices, but they, in turn, make us.
2. The truth about Judas.
Why did Judas betray Christ? Was it because of cowardice? The Bible says that the fear of man is a snare. Some do betray Christ because of fear of the crowd. They reject Him because they do not have the courage to confess Him before people. Was it because of the love of money? He was a greedy man. 1 day, at a feast honoring Jesus, Mary broke an alabaster box full of very expensive ointment and anointed Jesus' feet. Judas objected to such waste.
John 12:5-6 (NIV)
5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
Judas was a covetous man who used his position to pilfer from a common purse. Perhaps this greed for money and love of gain were the motives that led him to betray his Lord. Did Judas betray Jesus because of selfishness? Judas has been described as a zealous patriot. He was a violent, fanatical nationalist, pledged to use any means to drive the Romans from Palestine. He wanted more than life to be free from bondage to Rome. Judas saw his dream being crucified. This time he took action. He took vengeance for the death of his dream by betraying the man who had disappointed him. He betrayed because he wanted to use his power for the achievement of selfish ends. Did Judas betray Jesus because of rebellion? Was there deep, seething rebellion in his heart against the Lord of life? It is always sin in the heart that causes us to betray our Lord.
Judas could not place the blame on anyone but himself. Likewise, you and I are responsible for our own sins. Sin is a self-inflicted wound.
3. The tragedy of Judas.
Judas went back to the priest, told them that he had sinned against innocent blood, and besought them to take their money back. When they would not, he flung it to them and went out and hanged himself. Here is the tragedy of lost opportunity. Judas cast aside his opportunity to be what God called him to be. 1 of the saddest passages in the Bible tells of the man who buried his talent in the earth. Here is the tragedy of a lost soul. To lose your soul is life's greatest tragedy. Some losses can be repaired. We may regain our health, our fortune, or our character, but a soul that is lost is lost forever. Here is the tragedy of a crucified Savior. Judas's betrayal led to Jesus' crucifixion, but when anyone betrays Christ, Christ is crucified afresh and anew.
The whole company of the betrayers has a part in this crucifixion. Jesus died for all of us, but if we never choose Him to be our Savior, His blood will not cleanse our sins.
Conclusion:
Let us open our eyes to the awful consequences of our sins. May we see that sin crucifies Christ today the same as the day when He died on Calvary. Such a vision will drive us to our knees in confession of our wrongs and the acceptance of forgiving grace.
