READ: LUKE 22:21-38 TEXT; v22 CAN JUDAS BE SANITISED?
And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! (Luke 22:22)
BACKGROUND: The popular press reported how the Church of Rome had plans
to sanitise Judas Iscariot, hence this sermon. However, the following
week, Rome denied that they had any plans. The basic substance of this
message on Judas is not dependent upon the circumstances which led to
it being preached
In the few days a high ranking official in the Vatican (Monsignor
Walter Brandmuller, Head/the Pontifical Committee for Historical
Science) has declared that it is time to re-read the story of Judas
Iscariot who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces/silver.
Brandmuller, supported by a certain Signor Messori, sees this as an opportunity to fix what he perceives are several problems.
These are as follows:
[i] Judas was not evil but merely fulfilled God's plan which ultimately led to man's salvation
[ii] Jesus, who had always preached forgiveness for ones enemies, did not show him any mercy
[iii] Judas is a victim of doctrinal libel leading to anti Semitism
In order to be rid of these perceived problems, Messori uses the term
"rehabilitation" of Judas, quoting a Christian tradition that Judas
actually was forgiven by Jesus and that he purified himself with
"spiritual exercises" in the desert.
The Bible speaks at considerable length about him and so we are not
left at the mercy of so called Christian traditions or the whim of
Vatican officials who evidently have little else to do with their time.
To the authority/Bible we all must bow.
4 main thoughts about Judas Iscariot which will show that no amount of Vatican whitewashing can ever rid Judas of his guilt:
1) JUDAS DID NOT SIN THROUGH DIVINE COMPULSION:
A/ The link between God's sovereignty/man's responsibility is stated rather than explained in the Bible
An attempt to reconcile them is not the best way forward
Such reconciliation can lead to a dilution/both
Best stated as absolutes and dealt with accordingly
When I do good - God takes the glory (Psalm 115:3)
When I do evil - I take the blame (Psalm 51:5-7)
I therefore, by God's sovereign help, seek to avoid doing evil
[i] Words like Genesis 39:9 challenge me
[ii] Words like 1 Corinthians 10:11 encourage me
B/ Luke 22:22 puts a great emphasise upon both
[i] Jesus Christ went according to a pre determined plan
This extended to every last detail including the traitor
He would be a close friend/companion (Psalm 55:13)
Jesus knew early on (indeed He always knew) that Judas was the betrayer.
He hinted as such in his language:
But there are some of you that
believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that
believed not, and who should betray him. (John 6:64)
Have I not chosen you twelve…one of you is a devil? (Jn 6:70)
The time came when this plan/God that His Son should be delivered up to
die for the sins/His people be fulfilled and every last detail was
meticulously planned/executed by God
It was not against God's will
It was not left to chance
If it were…how could we ever venture our eternal souls upon it?
How could we glorify God for His provision?
[ii] However, Judas Iscariot was no mere puppet or pawn
Certainly he is no helpless victim in this event
What Judas did…Judas did freely because he wanted to
The envy/malice/hatred/sin all belongs to Judas and flows out of His wicked heart.
God is not the author of Judas' sin nor can God look favourably upon the iniquity of Judas' heart (Hab 1:13)
C/ The secret lies in the motive attributed to both:
[i] What God did when He arranged the Cross was in accordance with His holiness, justice, goodness and truth. Therefore: Good
[ii] What Judas did, in the very same act, had no inkling towards anything good, but flowed rather from sinful thoughts
We praise God for His sovereignty…we condemn Judas for his sin
2) JUDAS REJECTED HIS GOSPEL PRIVILEGES
A/ When Judas stepped willingly into the role: betrayer/Jesus, do remember: he had been building his way up to this dark deed
Can take a long time before Satan enters (in the special sense portrayed here) into a man's heart (Luke 22:3)
B/ Although Judas was chosen to be an Apostle (John 6:70) and with the
Apostolic band, not only witnessed but performed great miracles
(Matthew 10:1) yet he himself was never saved
Working/miracles is no infallible sign of grace (Matt 7:22-23)
Hebrews 6:4-6 show how far an unsaved man can go with God
Judas was taught by Christ as part/Apostolic band
Had insights when others were left/darkness (Matthew 13:10-12)
He was taught to pray by Christ (Luke 11:1)
He himself preached/expounded the very gospel itself
But he himself was never saved. Frightening!
C/ Outwardly it seemed there was no difference
He was the treasurer, trusted by the Apostolic band
All the disciples said "Is it I?" None said: "Is it Judas?"
Judas was personally warned by Jesus Christ about this sin: John 13:21-30
D/ But he never embraced the gospel he preached or saw vindicated.
Not even when he heard it from the very lips/Christ
Many wondered at His gracious words (Luke 4:22)
Many embraced Him in the very presence/Judas - great conversions etc.,
but he, himself, never actually came to Christ for salvation
E/ All this Christ rejection - for that's what it was - left him in a very vulnerable position. Satan entered into heart/Judas
It does matter what we do/don't do with Jesus
To many folk the whole matter/gospel is a total irrelevancy
Doesn't seem to impact them any if they ignore/Bible
But, if they were to become demon possessed as Judas was, it would be a total relevancy.
He put himself beyond the pale.
The Spirit stopped striving with him (Genesis 6:3) Cursed time!
Those God applied brakes which kept him from all manner/evil were removed and Satan took full control of his benighted soul
F/ Can this happen to any sinner in these days? Obviously not to the
betrayal/Christ (Historical one off happening) but the sinner can put
himself beyond the pale/grace. Law/Harvest (Gal 6:9)
3) JUDAS WILLINGLY BETRAYED THE LORD JESUS:
Already touched on this…let us develop it further:
A/ Judas never fully trusted the Lord Jesus, but was still prepared to identify with Him.
Willingly bore the reproach of Christ: Matthew 5:11 but he never
committed his soul to be saved - the damnable sin of unbelief (John
3:18)
B/ Why did Judas go so far with Christ? Perhaps: thought of:
Power/fame (Matt 4:25)
Money (John 12:6)
But it all turned sour - so sour that Judas sought to betray His only Hope/Eternity
[i] Was triggered by devotion/Mary (Jn 12:1-8/Mk 14:1-10)
[ii] Descended into Judas himself approaching the Chief priests
They did not approach him…but he approached them
[iii] He actually covenanted with them to actually betray Jesus
[iv] He did all that was necessary to deliver Jesus up - he himself playing a chief/callous and necessary part in the deed
C/ Every sinner in rejecting Christ is in the same boat as Judas
Perhaps not as a traitor…but as an unbeliever - a Christ rejecter
Christ rejection is certainly a voluntary thing
Man is responsible to willingly choose Jesus Christ:
Deuteronomy 30:15 Joshua 24:15
Where man follows his wicked heart (to which his will is totally bound) he will refuse the claims/Jesus Christ
This is why he needs a new heart and the power/God
But the sin remains if he does not choose Christ as Lord/Saviour
4) JUDAS TOOK FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS SIN:
A/ Text says that he would - whether willingly/unwillingly
B/ Acts 1:25 says that he did
C/ Judas willingly confessed his wickedness
[i] He vindicated Christ's person: (Matthew 27:3)
[ii] He repented himself of the deed
[iii] Confessed: He had forfeited his right/life and died a suicide
D/ Was he not saved then if he repented?
Ans:- No…it was a false, godless repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9) only adding sin/sin
He repented himself … Not repentance towards God (Acts 20:21)
Seen in his suicide - He did not believe himself to be forgiven and Satan sealed his convert and took him the darkest part/hell
E/ Was Christ obliged to have mercy upon Him as Rome suggests?
No (Romans 9:15) Judas never sought mercy, although offered to him on many occasions and always rejected.
Are our views/Judas anti Semitic? No reason why they should be
Real issue: What about you as an individual? Your story? Saved?