Allow me here to state my understanding of Judas’ situation from the bible; bearing in mind that GOD is the creator of good and evil both for His own purpose. Isa. 45:7
We are told by the prophet Isaiah (Isa. 53:1-10 ) how the son of God would enter earth as a babe for the purpose of saving the human race from their sins. It further enumerated his sufferings at the hands of the very ones he came to save, sinners. If God hatched such an inexplicable plan, then it seems to me that He would have provided all the tools necessary to carry out His plan to-the-teeth. In other words, Jesus’ life, death, burial and resurrection were no lottery game. The players were well orchestrated. God does not always reveal His plan to man, often, they carry out their assignments unwittingly, see Ex.7:3-4; 11:9; Jn.9:1-3; Jn. 11:11,13. Sometimes the assignment appears unlike a merciful God, as in the case of the king of Babylon whom God used to devastate His own people; and Moses was punished for striking the rock instead of talking to it; nor should we forget the prophet God slew for not returning straight home as instructed after delivering his message 1 Kgs. 13:16-25.
First, Jesus told His disciples that they would sit on twelve thrones, in His kingdom, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, Matt.19:27-28. It is my belief that when He spoke, He was specifically referring to ‘the twelve’ in training because He used the phrase ‘Ye who have followed me’ and though Mathias had followed Jesus from the beginning, Acts.1:21-22, he was not part of the inner circle, and notwithstanding his election to replace Judas, as prophesied, it could not change Jesus’ statement in Matt.19:27-28. John, in vision saw twelve foundations in the New Jerusalem with the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Rev. 21:14; and Judas’ name would have to be one. This vision appears to back-up Jesus’ statement mentioned above.
Listen to Jesus again, ‘Those you have given me, I have kept, I lost none except the son of perdition’ [presumably referring to Judas]. If so, was Jesus referring to Judas’ death, his eternal doom or merely his eminent departure from the flock? We may speculate as humans, and assume Jesus was referring to his place in hell’s fire, ignoring the rest of Jesus’ statement in Jn.17:12, and His prayer on the cross; ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they did’; but Jesus clarified that statement to the soldiers in Jn.18: 8-9, while Judas was clearly seen to be on the opposite side of the flock. Consider also verse 11 where Jesus rebuked Peter for trying to stop Jesus from drinking the cup designed for Him by His Father. This cup must in all fairness be His entire ordeal. Let me hasten to mention that biblical prophecies fall into one of two categories: Apocalyptic, meaning they can’t be influenced by human actions, like the birth and death of Christ. Or Classical (conditional) which may or may not be fulfilled, based on human reaction, as in Jonas’ prophecy to the Ninavites.
Can you imagine Judas , in his right mind, knowingly sending his master to the death chamber for thirty pieces of silver, not gold, after he was told that he would be judging his nation in heaven? Surely not! That’s where we begin to castigate Judas without considering the rest of Jesus’ statement in Jn.17:12; “but that the scripture might be fulfilled”. Isn’t Jesus saying here that Judas was fulfilling scripture? Compare Jn. 9:3. Here’s my question: What scripture had to be fulfilled and who is going to fulfill it, given the fact that the prophecies concerning Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection were apocalyptic?
There are many scriptures in the bible that attest to Jesus’ suffering and agony; I could quote Isa.53:7; ‘ He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep dumb before its shearer so He open not His mouth’. No wonder John-the-Baptist echoed “Behold the lamb of God” when he first encountered Jesus; or we could try Ps. 41:9, a direct prophecy of Judas’ action. Suffice it to say that whatever scripture Jesus meant, when God hatched His plan to save mankind He did not just prepare a victim in the person of His Son but He also prepared a villain to lead Him to the slaughter, see Lev.16: 21,26. Note that the one given the job by Aaron of leading the scapegoat to the wilderness had to be a ‘fit’ man, (defiled, ostracized from society but ultimately redeemed).
Ponder, for a moment, the biblical meaning of that little word ‘Fit’ as used by Moses here. Search the root and you will find that Moses isn’t talking about health, rather, he is saying that this man is prepared and ready to perform the task, suggesting then that he was chosen. The Jerusalem bible said it this way, ‘He (Aaron) shall send it out into the desert led by a man waiting ready, and the goat will bear all their faults…’, Lev.16: 21. Notice too, that like Aaron, the man had to wash his clothes and bathe, on his return before he could re-enter the camp and be back in God’s presence. That was the type we are here speaking of the anti-type. What do you think? It seems to me from Lev.16 that Judas did not choose to betray Christ but was chosen to do the job. Check out Mk.10: 33 where, according to Mark, Jesus used the phrase ‘delivered unto the Chief Priest’’ instead of betrayed; compare Lev.16:21 where Aaron delivered the goat to the fit man.
Now, picture Jesus the God-Man preparing His mission and needed to select a board of directors. He is under heavy manners through the Spirit; He was able to tell Nathaniel, much to his surprise, that He saw him long before Nathaniel was in sight. He chose twelve from the stock including, one whom He knew ‘from the beginning would betray Him’, Jn. 6:64; even though a betrayal was foreign to Judas at that point, Jn.13:2, 27; Lk. 22:3. Why would the Son of God chose a fellow like that, if this man did not fit His Father’s plan? Jesus told His disciples that no one can come to Him unless His father sent him. Jn. 6:65. My submission here is that Judas did fit God’s Plan bearing in mind that Jesus could have chosen Mathias, Judas’ apparent successor. Put your finger back on Jn. 17:12, we are not finished with it yet, remember Jesus’ prayer, ‘Those you have given me …’
Before that prayer, Jesus told His apostles that it would have been good for the one who will betray Him if that one had not been born. Matt. 26:24. Is Jesus implying here that this was the purpose for which this man was born, given the other relatives like ordaining him as an Missionary, Matt.10:1-4, with the full knowledge of his personality, being his creator; and knowing that Judas would betray Him? What accusation could be leveled at Him for dumping Judas when He discovered Judas’ plan, if so it was? (See Jn.17:12, (last part). It’s like saying, if being created serves no other purpose than betraying me, then it would have been better if he wasn’t created but he was created to fulfill prophecy. Would a loving God create someone to betray His Son, if it fulfill His plan? You be the judge after reading Isa. 45:7, Prov.16:4 Hos 1:2. But wait! Jesus answered the question in Jn. 9:1-4 when He passed a man blind from birth and His disciples asked Him whether the blindness was the result of the man’s sin or that of his parents. Jesus assured them that the blindness was the result of neither his nor his parents’ sin but it happened so as to fulfill God’s purpose. In other words God will permit evil to fulfil His purpose as in the story of Job.
How could I forget righteous Job whose ruin God permitted in order to fulfill His plan; and when Job accused Him of breaking His own rule as stated in Deu. 28:1-14 and desire to know why he was under the curses of verses 15, etc. although he was faultless before Him, Job 31. God’s answer is found in Job 38 & 39 where He reminded Job that He was the creator of all things seen and unseen and as such possesses the power to do as He pleases with them. Moreover, God demand from Job whether he would condemn God’s judgement so as to retain his righteousness. Chapter 42 showed a complete restoration of all that Job had, plus a double portion of his future life of 70 years. In Jn .9:6-7 Jesus restored the blind man’s eyes and if Judas was picked to betray Jesus, His request for His father to forgive them for they know not what they did would certainly restore Judas’ eternal position in heaven is my belief. Notwithstanding that Judas’ earthly position was transferred to Mathias, Judas’ heavenly position is not transferable, Mathias had to earn his own.
Scripture records that Judas asked Jesus “Master, is it I”? Here’s my question: Was he being presumptuous or was he under heavy manners by the Spirit? Note also, that during the meal Jesus told the twelve, including Judas, that He would not drink the fruit of the vine again until He drink it anew with them in His father’s kingdom. How interesting? Jn 13:2; 13:27 records that after the Sop, Satan entered into Judas, and Jesus said to him, ‘That thou doest do quickly’. Did he comprehend Jesus’ statement? Was Judas programmed?
Scripture further recorded that the other apostles thought Jesus was talking about food. What was Judas thinking? Only God knows, but scripture appears to answer to the heavy manners theory despite how we humans may criticize and demonize Judas. Check out Jn .6:71; 12:4, and notice John’s usage of the word “should” in reference to Judas, without forgetting Mk.13:21-22. That word ‘should’ according to Webster’s dictionary is the past form of ‘shall’ and when used as John did, it denotes an obligation or duty as in ‘ I should go home now’. So let’s analyze Jesus’ sentence in 6:71 to see if Judas was chosen to carry out this task. ‘ He (Jesus) spake of Judas, Simon son, for it was he who should betray Him being one of the twelve’. My question: Why didn’t John say ‘for it is he who will betray Him; and why add ‘being one of the twelve’, as if to fulfill Ps.41:9? Look at 12:4 where John used the same phrase, ‘Simon son which should betray Him’. Compare Jn.5:23; Jesus speaking again, ‘That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father’. If we should do something, it’s incumbent on us to do it; we are not always given choice; but, if we do, we may exercise our choice to our detriment. No wonder Jesus prayed, ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do’, for it seems to me that Judas had no choice. His later actions showed that he didn’t consciously do it for the 30 pieces of silver; he was merely fulfilling prophecy according to God’s will.
It is easy to understand why some Christians, question Judas’ honesty when he asked Jesus, ‘Is it I’, after reading Matt.26:14-16 where Judas had covenanted with the rulers to “deliver” Jesus to them for thirty pieces of silver. Is it not true that often times, as humans, we do things unconsciously without reason for our actions? Did Pharoah know that his stubbornness in refusing to let the Israelites leave Egypt was dictated by the God he said he couldn’t obey? Is it not possible that Judas, like Pharoah, was under heavy manners by the Spirit, given the other relatives, like, Jn,13:27 ‘That thou doest do quickly’ and v28 continued that no one at the table (including Judas) knew what Jesus meant. Lk.22:48, Jesus speaking: again, ‘Judas, betray the Son of Man with a kiss’? No reply from Judas in defense. Scripture record that Jesus spoke directly to Judas three times with no comment from him, (Lk.22:48, Matt.26:25, Jn.13:27).
It seemed clear from Jesus’ statements and actions that Judas was the villain appointed by God to lead Jesus to the cross. Consider the discourse with His disciples recorded in Jn.13:10-19, note v.11: ‘For He knew who should betray Him, therefore said He “you are not all clean”’. Follow Him now to v.18: ‘I speak not of you all, I know whom I have chosen, but that the scripture may be fulfilled’. It seems to me that Jesus is saying that He had chosen His betrayer to fulfill prophecy. But walk your fingers back to Jn.17:12 again, (this verse is loaded with information) and study the phrase ‘those you have given me’ and couple that with ‘I and my father are one’ Jn.10:30; note also that Judas is there fulfilling scripture again. Can there be any doubt that Judas’ actions were dictated by the Holy Spirit, even as Jesus had knowledge of him being a thief, Jn. 12:4-6?
Here are some more facts we need to consider: When God was ready to deliver Israel from Egypt, He used a wicked king as one of His weapons. He told Moses three things about this Pharaoh: (a) He will not let Israel go not even with a strong hand. (b) He had hardened Pharaoh’s heart to be uncooperative; (c) He had raise up Pharaoh for that very reason to show His power as the true God. Ex.3:19; 7:3-4; 9:16. Pharaoh was under heavy manners, even though he thought that his actions were the result of his own wisdom and ingenuity. He even had the audacity to ask Moses ‘ Who is the Lord that I should obey Him’? Ex.5:2, unconscious that he had been programmed by that same God he said he didn’t know. That same God who said that He had made all things for Himself, even the wicked for the day of evil, Prov.16:4.
The bible is pregnant with stories of God using wicked kings to punish the Israelites when they turn from Him; and raised up judges to deliver them when they cried to Him. Samson’s parents did not know that it was “of the Lord” that Samson wanted to marry the Philistine-girl Jd.14:4. When they questioned him whether he could not find a wife among his race, he answered, ‘ Get her for me, she pleases me well’, v.3. Even in today’s culture, that answer would be considered rude and impudent. Was Samson excersing his power of choice or was he acting under the power of the Holy Spirit? Nor should we forget Jonah’s encounter with the sea monster which, scripture tells us, God had prepared to swallow and preserve Jonah as a result of his disobedience.
Now, God had a plan to save the human race from their sins; that plan, according to scripture, involved the suffering Jesus Isa. 53:12. Jesus said to Pilate, ‘To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world’. Was it by chance that the task fell on Judas, if so, then whom did God chose amongst His friends to lead Him to the executioner, not forgetting that the job must be accomplished by one of His friends, Ps. 41:9, Jn.13:18. But listen to Peter in Acts 1:16 ‘This scripture is being fulfilled which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas’. Could it be that Judas too, came into the world for the purpose of delivering up the Son of God? I consider this a reasonable human question, given the foregoing facts; noting that Jesus’ own words were, ‘it would have been better if this person had not been born’. In other words, if that person had not been born, Jesus would not have to face the cross; and no cross would mean no saviour. But stop! Back up to Jn.13:18 again, Jesus still talking after washing His disciples’ feet, with a lesson on Christ-like behaviour, “ I speak not of you all, I know whom I have chosen” said Jesus. Given the context of this discourse in Jn.13, any conclusion other than a reference to Judas as the chosen one would be foreign to the discussion, even without v:11.
So, Judas did his thing, he got his money; note his command to the band, ‘Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he, HOLD HIM FAST’, Matt. 26:48. Why hold him fast? Here comes speculation: Either he thought that Jesus would vanish, as at other times, or he is very anxious to see his Jesus dead. Whatever the reason, his job is now completed; his eyes are opened, it seemed, Lk. 24:16,31; he realized his mistake; he took the money back to the Priests and Elders , ‘I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood’ Matt. 27:4. Notice the use of the demonstrative word here, ‘the’ pointing out that Judas knew Jesus was innocent now that his eyes are opened. What else could be the cause of this sudden realization?
Consider again his command to the band; ‘hold him fast’ (this is our enemy, to say the least). Hours later he gave back his reward, confessed that he sinned and took his own life. He didn’t even wait to see the outcome of the trial; because in his mind, he knew that death was certain for Jesus, it seems to me. If this is not heart-felt repentance then tell me what is. I have heard the argument that Judas did not repent wholeheartedly; that he was merely sorry that Jesus did not vanish as He use to. To my mind, that argument has no foundation biblically or otherwise. If Jesus had vanished, then I suspect no Jesus no money, period. One preacher hold that he didn’t repent, he was just sorry for his actions; if he did repent he wouldn’t take his own life; and went on to back up his argument by telling the story of a man who had an abusive attitude to his wife for many years and when the wife’s tolerance evaporated she left; he then sought the assistance of her pastor with the words, ‘I can’t live without her’. The wife, on hearing of his pleadings, agreed to return home. After several months, the husband returned to his old habits forcing the wife to leave again. This preacher failed to see the vast difference between the two confessions.
Allow me to say that I have not seen one word in the bible to suggest that taking one’s own life deprives one of eternal life; if so, then Paul was crazy to number Samson with the faithful in Heb.11:32-39; a man who not only committed premeditated murder as a revenge for his eyes, but solicited God’s help in doing so, Jg.16:28, while ignoring Deu.32:35 “Vengeance belong to the Lord”; or did he, considering his answered prayer? The commandment ‘Thou shalt not kill’ is understood to mean killing another human being; as Jesus clearly explained in Matt .5:21, 19:18, Rom. 13:8-9. It’s my belief that taking his life was clear evidence of the unbearable pain of Judas’ remorse after coming to his senses. Let’s not forget Jesus’ words in Jn.10:17-18, ‘ I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No man take it from me; I lay it down myself”; and while on the cross He echoed “It is finished” and bowed His head and gave up the ghost. In His own words, He took His own life. Did He sin?
Finally, while on the cross, Jesus, addressing His Father said,’ Forgive them Father, for they know not what they have done’. Wow! Is Jesus saying here that this multitude, instigated by then dead-Judas, was possessed, not in their right mind, spiritually blind? Then read Lk. 24:16,31; Jn.17:12. True, when the doctor removed my cataract my praise went to him, forgetting that it was God who gave him both the strength and the wisdom to correct my physical disability; but only God can correct my spiritual disability lest I experience His judgement.
Allow me to remind you that this same Jesus referred to Lazarus, being dead for four days, as taking a nap. So even if Judas was dead before Jesus spoke with His Father, his death would not necessarily negate his chance of eternal life. Nor can anyone deny that Jesus prayer must, by necessity, include the one who appears to be the chief engineer of His calamity. Furthermore, Jesus said that sins against himself would be forgiven with no exception, Matt.12:32. and while Judas was not around to hear His prayer of forgiveness, he too may be surprised to hear the first trumpet, if not because of his words of confession and repenting acts then surely because of Jesus’ prayer of forgiveness. To argue that Jesus’ prayer does not apply to Judas because he might have been dead before the prayer is to limit God’s Power to forgive; notwithstanding the fact that He said in Rev.1:18 that He had the keys of hell and death.
