2 Corinthians 13 :5 “Examine yourself to see if you are in the faith.”
I. Who was Judas?
A. His name was Judas Iscariot, his last name meaning “a man of Kerioth.” This is significant because all of the other Apostles were from Galilee, whereas he was not. Judas was the Apostle who carried the purse for the other 11 and Jesus, and is the one (most believe) who asked Jesus about the wasting of the ointment, and whether he shouldn’t sell it and give the money to the poor. (John 12:4-6) In verse 7 he gets rebuked by Christ. Both Matthew and Mark follow this story with the story of the betrayal of Christ, but both John and Luke make sure to mention that the “Devil entered him” right before he did his evil deeds. They may have felt empathy for how their old friend is to be remembered in history. (Luke 22:3-6 & John 13:21-27) Some think that he did it for the money; some think it was to get even for being rebuked at in the house of Simon the Leper when he thought the woman was wasting the ointment on Jesus’ feet.(Matt 26:6-14). Jesus showed everyone who was going to betray him at the last supper, then sent Judas away, telling him to do whatever he was going to do soon. Judas immediately looked for the chief priests and officials who agreed to pay him to betray Jesus to them. Judas then goes to the garden where Jesus was and kisses him, signaling to the officials and chief priests whom to arrest. Jesus went peacefully. After Jesus’ crucifixion, Matthew states that Judas returned the 30 pieces of silver to the priests and stated that he “had shed innocent blood,” and they didn’t care about his remorse. Matthew then states that (Matt 27:3-10)Judas hanged himself and the priests went and used the money to buy a potter’s field to bury the poor. They didn’t want to give the money to the church. Peter states in Acts that Judas bought a field with the money and fell headlong over a cliff on it and burst open. Whether suicide or not, Judas didn’t live much beyond Christ. Peter then stated that a replacement (Acts 1:15-26) for Judas needed to be named, so they prayed and drew straws, Matthias winning, and he was added to the 11.
II. What was Judas’sin?
A. Traitor
1. America has the Death penalty for 2 crimes: murder and treason. In 1951 a federal judge finds Julius and Ethel Rosenberg guilty of treason (selling atomic secrets to the Soviets) and they were executed.
a. Treason is defined as “the betrayal of trust.” When we disobey God, are we not betraying his trust? Jonah not doing what he was commanded? Us not doing what we are told to do or not do by God?
B. Love of money
1. He had to weigh: wealth with a guilty conscience vs. poverty with a clean one. He chose money over morality. When it was all over, he didn’t even want the money--he gave it back--but he couldn’t undo what he had done.
2. Does money bring misery? Probably not, but the unending reaching and not attaining can bring misery. Greek myth of Tantalus, who was punished by Zeus for misdeeds by being placed in water up to his neck, but every time he bent his head to drink, the water level dropped, only to raise again when he raised his head. There was food dangled above his head that was pulled up when he reached for it. He was made immortal so that his torment would never end. We get the English word “tantalizing” from this. Is this the way we are with our pursuit of possessions?
C. Gave up hope
1. Even when Guilt had overcome Judas, he repented to the wrong people, the priests and officials. An apology to Christ probably would’ve saved his soul. (Matt 27:3&4)
2. He saw no way out, and killed himself---the ultimate giving up.
III. Why did Jesus call Judas? Did Jesus know?
A. Jesus never did anything by accident. Jesus chose him on purpose, knowing what would happen all the while. Judas did not trick Jesus. John 13:26 Jesus knew before Judas.
B. To fulfill scripture’s prophecy
1. Psalms 41:9 Scripture says that the Messiah will be betrayed
2. Zechariah 11:12&13 Scripture says that it will be for 30 pieces of silver
C. To prove his Deity - John 13: 18-19 “if it happens the way scripture says, I am the Messiah”
D. He chose him to show that the church can overcome tragedy and divisiveness. John 16:32-33 “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”
E. He got a good 8 2/3 innings out of him; Judas did a lot of good.
IV. Did Judas go to heaven or hell?
A. Jesus answers this statement in John 17:12 “none of them is lost except the son of perdition” Other famous people of the bible who have been called a “son of perdition” are Cain, Apollyon the Destroyer (from Revelations), and the Antichrist. Judas went to Hell. Dante has him in the center of hell, with Brutus and Cassius, being constantly chewed by the giant jaws of Lucifer. He considered traitors to be the worst of all. Matthew even states that Judas committed suicide (Matt 27:5). Peter, in the Acts, states that Judas fell off of a precipice. (Acts 1:17-18)
B. He was part of the original 12 Apostles--quite a prestigious group! This did not save him. Neither will church membership, being buried in the church graveyard, being a deacon, pastor, elder, being related to a minister, being an American, etc. You will have to stand alone in front of God, answering for how you lived your life.
C. Acts 1:25 Paul states that Judas “went to his own place” after death.
IV. How closely are we like Judas?
A. Good Christians can go bad. They can fall away, even those who were mightily used by God.
1. In Luke 9:1-2 the 12 apostles (which includes Judas) were given the power to cast out devils and heal the sick--- and went and did so. They had the annointing! He had what we want. Have you ever cast out devils? Healed the sick? He did, and he fell away.
B. Judas calls Jesus “Master” on several occasions. Is he master of your life? Or are you like Judas? Do you take off your spiritual cleats after the game and put them a way until the next game? Are you different in church than in real life? Tuesday at noon should look like Sunday morning.
C. Does money affect your spiritual life? Judas was guilty of taking from the money box. Have you ever robbed from God? How would you do so? In your tithes and offerings.
D. Are you trying to get into heaven as a group? Judas hung around the right crowd, he had the perfect pastor, and heard the best sermons. Just because you go to church on Sunday, listen to tapes and read the right books, it doesn’t mean you will make it. Just because you walked with God, talked with God, and was hand-picked by God, it doesn’t mean you’ll make it. The path is narrow.
E. Have we ever been a traitor? Ever betrayed someone’s trust? God’s? Judas chose something else over God. Ever done this? Good things keep us out of church, from visiting people, from witnessing, etc.
F. Are we rash or make rash decisions after life-changing news?
G. Are we tantalized with the pursuit of things? Are things always in the forefront of our thoughts? How can you honestly pray without ceasing if you are just asking for stuff. Build a relationship with God that is more than ordering what you want like at a fast food window.
H. Do you ever get even with someone for getting done wrong? Vengence is mine, sayeth the Lord. Judas immediately got even Matt 26:6-15.
I. Judas was sorry for what he did, but he did not seek forgiveness from God. Learn from his mistakes. You actually have to repent each time; it is not assumed.
2 Corinthians 13 :5 “Examine yourself to see if you are in the faith.”
