A Study of the Book of Luke
Sermon # 60
Judas: The Man Who Decided To Do Wrong.
Luke 22:1-6
Today we associate the name, Judas with treachery. But it has not always been so. In fact the name, Judas, which means “the praise of God” was a popular name. That is until the name became associated with betrayal and treachery.
It is easy for us condemn the treachery of a man who would betray Jesus for money. But before we dismiss him as a man so far removed from ourselves that we need not even compare ourselves perhaps we should look a little closer. Can we honestly say that we have never sold Jesus out? When we have played dumb in the presence of non-believers or we joined in the laughter to avoid the ridicule of being associated with Christ, are we not selling out Christ for selfish gain?
The religious leadership had hardened in their deadly determination to eliminate Jesus when he cleansed the temple and began to teach in its porches. In Luke 19:47-48 we read, “And he was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, (48) and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.” Any chance that they would change their murderous resolve disappeared after Jesus told the Parable of the Vineyard Keepers (20:9-19) in which he clearly told that the religious leaders were seeking His death. Luke tells us in verse nineteen that from the point on the religious leaders were just bidding their time and waiting for an opportunity. The fact that tens thousands of Jews had gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover only added desperation to their deadly resolve. In verse one we read, “Now the Feast of the Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. (2) And the chief priest and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.”
The Jewish leadership has been powerless to do anything about Jesus because of his popularity with the people. All of that changes when Judas, one Jesus’ inner circle of the twelve disciples, steps forward to betray Him!
We will look at his tragic decision to betray Jesus as Luke recorded it and then we will look at parallel account’s in the other gospel’s to get the complete story. It is my hope that we can see in the life of Judas timeless principles about the devastation brought about by a choice following the pathway of sin.
First, Sin never delivers what it promises. Satan entices men to act in a way that they consider their own best interest, but which in reality extends his control over their lives.
In verse three Luke tells us “Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.” Luke’s statement that “Satan entered Judas” does not suggest demon possession as such but rather influence.
The same idea was clear stated by Peter when he spoke of the sin of Ananias, the husband of Sapphira, when he said (Acts 5:3), “Ananias, why has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of price of the land for yourselves.”
Indeed Satan seems to have entered Judas’ heart but he could not have entered had not Judas opened the door. But as we will discover in the life of Judas, when you cooperate with Satan, you pay dearly.
It is sadly possible to be associated with Jesus, to hear His gracious words, witness His wonderful works, yet refuse Him our heart’ allegiance and be ultimately lost.
Sin never delivers what it promises and…
Secondly, it is possible to be near Christ, to associate with his followers, to even be engaged in ministry and still not be truly saved.
In verse two we are told that Judas “was numbered among the twelve.” Judas was not only one of the twelve, the inner circle of Jesus’ most intimate disciples, he was also able to work his way into a place of trust, because he ultimately became the treasurer of the group and according to John 12:6 he was able to use his position to pilfer funds. He had given his life to follow Jesus but he never gave Jesus his heart.
Judas is a tragic example of lost opportunity. He is the epitome of wasted privilege. We have every reason to believe that Judas was given the same authority as the other men and that he preached the same message and performed the same miracles. It shows us how close a person can come to Kingdom of God and still be lost. In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus warns, “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven (22) Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord,’ have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done may wonders in Your name? (23) And I will declare to them, I never knew you depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”
“Judas was counted as a follower of Christ but was lost. He was baptized and yet he was lost. He preached the Gospel and yet was lost. He was trusted by all who knew him, [save Jesus], and yet he was lost! It is a terrible thing to go to Hell from anywhere, but what [sorrow] remorse must be the portion of those who go to Hell from the church.” [John R. Rice. “Judas Iscariot” Sword of the Lord. July 27, 1973. p. 13]
It is a reminder to us today, that church attendance, church membership, even involvement in ministry is not assurance of being saved.
It is possible to be near Christ, to associate with his followers, to even be engaged in ministry and still not be truly saved and …
Third, in order to betray Jesus Judas had to literally climb over every obstacle that Jesus put in his way.
Jesus knows that the deal has already been made to betray him but he uses the Passover meal as one last chance to appeal for the soul of Judas. Repeatedly we can see how Jesus was reaching out to Judas. First, he put Judas in a place of honor at this banquet to show him that his love and forgiveness could still be extended to him. Judas reclined to at the left side of Jesus, one of the two places of honor at the table.
Not only did he give Judas a place of honor but, as Jesus goes around the table washing each of the disciple’s feet, he also washed Judas’.
As he washed Peter’s feet he said (John 10:11-12), “… and are clean, but not all of you. (11) For he knew who would betray him, therefore he said, ‘You are not all clean.” This was a loving arrow aimed at the conscience of Judas. His words perhaps caused Judas pain, but apparently not enough.
As the meal proceeded John tells us in his account (13:18) that Jesus tells his disciples, “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.” The expression “has lifted his heel against me” is describing “the lifting of a horse’s hoof and the delivering a deadly kick.”
As Jesus dipped the bread in the bowl and offered it to Judas it is difficult not to see this as an offer that it is not too late yet, he does not have to go through with his betrayal. Judas took the bread but refused to turn back to the master.
So it is today, in order to turn our backs on Jesus, either to refuse his offer of forgiveness or to continue in a path of destruction, we have to climb over every obstacle he places in our path. We must climb over the Bible which is God’s recorded word. We must climb over the prayers and attempted intervention of good Christian people that God puts in our lives. We may turn our backs on Jesus, we may choose to ignore him and reject his forgiveness but will because we have chosen too.
According to Matthew’s account (26:22), after Jesus has delivered his prediction of his betrayal the disciples were grieved, “And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, ‘Lord, is it I?” No one had the slightest inkling that it was Judas.
In verse four of our text in Luke the story continues, “So he went his way and conferred with the chief priest and captains, how he might betray Him to them. (5) And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. (6) So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.”
Judas apparently went straight from the Upper Room to the where the religious leadership were gathered. When he arrived there he reported to them when and where they could find Jesus. He told them how they could apprehend Jesus under the cover of darkness and away from the press of the crowd.
In order to betray Jesus Judas had to literally climb over every obstacle that Jesus put in his way And….
Fourth, Ultimately God will Give Us over to our Decisions. In John 13:27-28, it says, “Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him ’What you do, do quickly…. (30) Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.”
The next time we see Judas is in Luke 22:47-48, when his conspiracy of betrayal reaches its culmination. “And while he was still speaking, behold a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. (48) But Jesus said to him , ‘Judas do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
Jesus was arrested and led away to trial where he had been condemned to die. Perhaps his intention was to force Jesus into some sort of action against the Romans. But what ever his plans were they backfired and when Jesus was condemned to die, Judas was genuinely surprised and penitent.
Ultimately God will Give Us over to our Decisions And….
Finally, Remorse with out repentance leads only to despair. (Remorse is not the same as repentance.) Only Matthew’s account (27:3) includes an account of the remorse of Judas after the arrest of Jesus. “Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that he had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, (4) saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,’ And they said, What is that to us? You see to it.” (5) Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.”
He was in a hell of his own making, repeatedly hammered by his own mind for what he had done. Sin always, always brings guilt and Judas’ sin brought him unbearable misery. The King James Version here says that Judas “repented.” Judas has a conscience. He recognized his sin. But his repentance was that of remorse, of despair, and of death. His remorse was boundless. But no amount of remorse can save anyone. Even if we realize our sin, our sorrow alone can not redeem us, important as that sorrow is. Although he tried to undo what he had done, it was futile. Sadly he did not seek the forgiveness of God. He did not cry out for mercy. He did not seek deliverance from the power of sin. Instead, he tried to fix it himself; ultimately he tried to silence his conscience by taking his own life.
Principles drawn from the life of Judas
1. Sin never delivers what it promises.
2. It is possible to be near Christ, to associate with his followers, to even be engaged in ministry an still not be truly saved.
3. In order to betray Jesus Judas had to climb over all the obstacles that Jesus put into his path.
4. Ultimately God will Give Us over to our Decisions
5. Remorse with out repentance leads only to despair
