To me, there is no one in the Bible more pitiable than Judas Iscariot.
Many readers may disagree with my description of him as “pitiable.” After all, this was the man who betrayed Christ to the Sanhedrin and set the events of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion into motion. Instead, they would say that he was a thief [John 12:6] and a traitor [Luke 22:48] who “got what he deserved.”
I understand this sentiment. The fact that he did what he did is incontrovertible. And, I offer no argument that his deeds were not despicable and deserving of judgment and punishment. In fact, he received both by his own hand.
So, why would I use the word “pitiable” to describe him? Therein lies today’s lesson.
Some Perspective.
First, we have to remember that Judas was selected by Christ to be a member of his inner circle. Christ had a reason for selecting each of His apostles, and he undoubtedly had a reason to choose Judas.
There is evidence that Jesus knew from the beginning that Judas could be a problem. [John 6:70] But He picked him anyway and even allowed Judas to serve as the treasurer for His group.
I’m convinced that Judas was a “believer.” He spent three years following, listening to and learning from Jesus. That’s a long time to follow someone without coming to believe at least some of what they’re saying. If he’d not been converted, he’d have left the group long before the evening of the Last Supper.
Betrayal.
Theories abound as to why Judas betrayed Jesus.
Some suggest that Judas was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, but that he (like the rest of the apostles) expected the messianic manifestation to be an earthly one. He expected Jesus to revive the Kingdom of David, drive the Romans from Isreal, and establish a new world order based on Jewish principals and precepts. When it became obvious that Jesus had no intention of instituting such a reign on Earth, Judas was disappointed, which led him to betray Christ.
Others have suggested that Judas became convinced that Jesus was deluded and that His constant prodding of the Sanhedrin would result in Jesus and His close followers being arrested and killed. (Which is exactly what happened.) He felt that turning Jesus over to the authorities could save himself from their retribution.
And, there is the explanation given in the Bible, that “Satan entered into him” and led him to betray Jesus. [Luke 22:3]
We are unlikely ever to know the real reason that Judas betrayed Christ. What we do know is that he did.
Observations.
Jesus obviously detected some possibility for Judas’ redemption, or He wouldn’t have picked him to begin with. He may have known that Judas was capable of betrayal, but Judas still had free will. He could have turned from the path of betrayal at any time. It’s possible that Jesus had hope that Judas would ultimately do “the right thing,” even though He expected him to make his mistake.
Also, Judas was one of the most twelve privileged people in the world. He’d had a once-in-the-universe opportunity to live, eat, sleep, walk, and talk to God Incarnate. What an opportunity!
And, I don’t believe that there is any way anyone could have lived in that kind of proximity to Jesus for that long and not been converted. Judas may not have understood all that Jesus was saying (see above), but I’m convinced that he was a believer.
So, yes, he may have been tempted by the devil (as we still are today). And, yes, he may have been disappointed that Jesus wasn’t going to live up to his expectations. But, to have thrown all of that away (for whatever reason) has to be one of the worst decisions ever made in the history of the world.
Why Pity.
That’s why I pity him.
Judas had advantages, knowledge, and experiences that no one else was ever going to have that any Christian would envy. And yet, he made the decision to betray Jesus. That’s a lapse in character and judgment of staggering proportions. I see a wondrous opportunity thrown away. He had eternity within his grasp and let it go. I find that very sad.
Pity for Us.
But I feel sorry for us also because we make similarly bone-headed decisions every day.
Somewhere today, someone is going to betray their wedding vows and engage in an inappropriate relationship outside of their marriage.
Today, someone is going to purchase a new car or house that they cannot afford. And, by doing so, they’re surrendering their ability to honor the financial pledge that they’ve made to God to support His house of worship.
And, someone today is, going to pass by the homeless person on the street who’s asking for help, possibly help that only they could give.
We Are All Guilty.
All too often, we are all guilty of betraying Jesus’ trust and his commandments.
And, if it’s true that to God, even a “small” sin is as egregious as a “big” sin, then our sins are just as damning as Judas’.
His may have been more dramatic. But ours are just as real in their effect. They all separate us from God and the loving, trusting relationship He desires to have with us.
I do pity, Judas. But I pity us all as well.
Thoughts.
We’ll never know Judas’ ultimate fate. We don’t know “where” he went after he killed himself. We do know that he recognized his sin and that he repented. And we know that in that repentance was overwhelming grief over what he’d done. And, I suspect that at the end, he recognized Jesus for who and what He really was.
Unlike Judas, most of us have the opportunity to move past our sins and to live redeemed lives into the future. We’re taught that there is no sin that cannot be overcome by Jesus’ love. We’re taught that if we recognize our sin, repent of it, and acknowledge Jesus as Lord; we will have salvation.
As pitiful as we are, through Jesus’ sacrifice, we all have access to eternal life with God.
Challenge.
So, let’s all challenge one another not to be like Judas. Let’s challenge ourselves to live better lives and make better decisions guided by our relationship with and respect for our Lord.
Let’s not be pitiful. Let’s live triumphantly in the Lord!
God’s Blessings on You All.
Richard
September 13, 2019
