Judas Iscariot
Some that promote the agnostic Gospel of Judas teach that although he betrayed Jesus, he will still be saved eternally. These add that he was merely obeying the command of Jesus. But the truth is that this disciple will not be saved for he didn’t repent of his sin. Jesus Himself confirmed that when He said, “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born” (Matthew 26:24).
And the Lord foretold of Judas betrayal, “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me” (John 13:18). Jesus was directly quoting from the book of Psalms (Psalm 4:19).
The fact that Inspiration had foretold of Judas betrayal in no way released him from his personal responsibility in this crime. God didn’t destine His disciple to betray Jesus (John 6:71; 13:18). The heinous act of this disciple was a deliberate choice on his part. His crime was not an unintentional slip but a premeditated one (Luke 22:3-6).
Judas, was the most ambitious among Jesus’ disciples, he was so eager to reach great heights of worldly power through his association with Jesus. His horrible death seems strikingly significant of the tragic results of such ambition. It is his guilt that drove him to finally end his life by hanging (Matthew 27:5; Acts 1:18).
Jesus admitted the lost state of Judas in his prayer to His Father, “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled” (John 17:12). The compassionate Jesus offered His disciple every opportunity possible to grow in the grace but Judas chose to rebel and deny his Master.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
