Lessons Learned from Judas
-Introduction
-Jesus was in the hands of His enemies. One apostle had betrayed Him. Another had denied
Him. Both regretted their actions and were filled with guilt and anguish. The two would take
very different paths.
-In previous lessons, we addressed Peter’s denials and the events that followed for him.
Fortunately, he returned to faithful service to the Lord.
-Tonight, we’ll focus on the betrayer, Judas, and see the unfortunate path he chose.
-Judas – A Curious Person
-We first find Judas’ name in the appointment of the twelve – Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-16.
-From the first reference to his name, he is associated with his eventual betrayal of Jesus.
-In the lists of the apostles, his name always appears last.
-John 6:64 – Jesus knew all along that Judas would betray Him.
-Interestingly, when washing the apostles’ feet, Jesus made reference to David’s words
(John 3:16-21, Ps. 41:9) but He omitted the words, “in whom I trusted.” Jesus knew
not to trust Judas.
-Yet, the other apostles showed no suspicion toward Judas (John 13:22-26).
-So, how did Judas go from being one of the select twelve – a part of the work of the Lord –
endowed with miraculous power – a companion of Jesus – a hearer of His teachings – a
witness of His works – to the betrayer?
-“No serious New Testament student denies there are mysteries the Gospel records do
not fully explain regarding this sinister person. And that is perfectly understandable. Such
matters are not germane to our salvation, and it has never been the will of God that every
whimsical curiosity of man be satisfied. Why did the traitor sell Jesus for the paltry sum of
only 30 pieces of silver when, supposedly, he could have obtained a larger sum (yet see
Zechariah 11:12-13)? Why was he allowed to be the treasurer of the apostolic band? Why
did the Lord identify Judas as a traitor to certain disciples as they ate the Passover meal? Why
did the betrayer return the money, and then commit suicide? Why did the Savior choose a
man of this character?”1
-“It is impossible to analyze and follow the mazes of his dark mind in its terrible progress of
crime and despair.”2
-Judas – Observations Regarding His Character
-Many theories have been expounded regarding Judas – the process he underwent, his (mis)
understandings, his motives. We’ll just have to be satisfied with leaving those in the realm of
theory.
-Recently, there has even been somewhat of an attempt to vindicate the apostle.
-But, regardless of the process and his motives, the scriptures do provide us with some insight.
-John 12:17 – (imperfect tense) – a thief; John 6:70 – “devil” (diabolos); John 13:10-11 –
“Not…clean”; John 17:12 – “the son of destruction”; Matt. 26:24 – “better…if…not been born”
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1Wayne Jackson, “The Judas Make-Over,” nd, < August 2012).
2H. Leo Boles, A Commentary on the Gospel According to Matthew (Nashville: Gospel Advocate Co., 1976), 525.
-John 13:26-30 – Here was an opportunity for Judas to realize he had been discovered, own up
to the truth, exercise penitence and make things right as best as he could. He chose not to do so.
-“Up to this time he had doubts and impulses to do better, but now he gives himself up
wholly to Satan’s work. He was already under his influence, but now he plunges headlong
into the bottomless pit. Satan had entered into Judas and led him to go to the priests to
bargain for his betrayal, now he enters to prompt him to put his purpose into execution.”3
-We must remember that God always preserves a person’s freedom of will. Judas had a choice.
-Remember, he had already bargained with the Jewish leaders – Matt. 26:14-16.
-Matt. 27:3-5 – Yet, afterwards, he was filled with regret. He returned the 30 pieces of silver
and hanged himself. Additional details are provided by Peter in Acts 1.
-Again, it’s hard to know what was going through the mind of Judas – his intentions, motives.
-Lessons From Judas
1. Sin makes a mess of things – of individuals – of lives – of souls.
-Judas had been part of the experiences, role and works of the apostles – Acts 1:17.
-Yet, he opened the door to sin and Satan pushed it wide open.
-Let’s never take sin lightly. Let’s do our best to keep that door closed in our own lives.
2. Judas serves as a valuable witness to the sinless purity of Christ.
-If there was ever a person who could have benefited from pointing out a fault against Jesus,
it was Judas. It could have eased his conscience and justified his actions. Yet, this man – who
had first-hand knowledge of Jesus – boldly proclaimed, “I have sinned by betraying innocent
blood” (Matt. 27:24).
3. We see the tragedy of a lack of repentance.
-Judas regretted his actions but failed to follow the proper path of repentance.
-Peter regretted his actions but eventually followed the proper course. What a contrast!
-As a result, Judas left the world in a lost condition &remains in it – Matt. 26:24, Acts 1:24-25.
-It is possible to be a faithful follower of Christ and then, through the influence of sin,
depart from it into a lost condition. May we always be careful not to allow that in our lives!
-Col. 1:23
Joplin – August 19, 2012 – p.m.
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3C.E.W. Dorris, ed., A Commentary on The Gospel According to John (Nashville: Gospel Advocate, 1979), 214-215.