“What About Judas?”

Sunbury ChristianJudas

Most people have wondered about Judas. Did he have a choice, or was he only doing what God had already planned for him to do?

Focus on these facts:

“Judas is responsible”  God knows all things from the beginning; nothing is a surprise to Him.  Therefore, when God had the prophecy written down, God was “looking into the future, seeing the choice Judas would make, and recording it in advance.” Because God can see things in advance does not mean Judas is no longer responsible for the Betrayal,  just like WE do not get a ‘pass’ because God knows WE are going to make poor choices.

This is a HUGE concept to grasp.  But if understood properly, the rest of the thinking falls in line.  Judas is still responsible for betraying Jesus.

  • “Part of the plan”  If you consider that God allows for poor choices and even includes them in His plan, then ‘yes, it was part of God’s plan.’  This happened with “the fall”, Adam & Eve.  Did God KNOW they were going to eat of the fruit?  Yes.  But they were still responsible.  God saw that one coming, so He incorporated it into His plan.  He even knew ahead of time that He would send Jesus to die on the cross for us.  But it STILL DOES NOT let Adam & Eve off the hook.  God took the poor choice and created the Plan of Redemption.   Once again, just because God could SEE it in advance,  this NEVER takes the responsibility away from Adam & Eve,  or  from Judas,  or  from us.
  • Where will Judas spend eternity?”  First, I really don’t like judging another man’s eternity.  God is the only one who can do that, because only He knows the heart; we only see a part of any man’s life.  “God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.” Why?  Because God knows He will have to judge many who He has created and consign them to hell.  So, having said this. . .  what do we know about Judas?
  • He was chosen as one of the 12.  He could perform miracles, even casting out demons.  He was in the presence of the Son of God for over 3 years!
  • He was a thief, stealing from the money bag.
  • He betrayed our Lord for 30 pieces of silver.
  • He felt awful about it and gave the money back.
  • His choice, however, was to commit suicide rather than to humble himself and ask for forgiveness.  I honestly believe Jesus would have forgiven him!  He forgave Peter.  He is IN THE BUSINESS of forgiveness. But Judas made another poor choice.
  • He is called “the son of perdition”, which means the son of “eternal damnation”  or  “utter destruction”.  This title is used only twice in the N.T., John 17:12 & 2 Thessalonians 2:3. . . Judas and Satan.

Remember, God is willing that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  However, Jesus said “many” will go to the place of destruction,  and  only a “few” will be saved.  It appears that Judas hardened his heart, turned his back on Christ; and even though he hated what he did, he still did not come to repentance.  It was his choice; and it seems to me that he chose to be damned, rather than to humble himself, repent and be saved.  And sad to say, I’m afraid that many still make this choice today, rather than be saved.