Judas Iscariot

~ The Growth of Sin ~

Judas Was  ~  Judas was positioned wonderfully in this life, but like many he squandered his situation because of sin.  Consider two key aspects of great opportunity.

A Member of the Twelve Apostles ~  “Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter [1], and Andrew his brother [2]; James the son of Zebedee [3], and John his brother [4]; Philip [5] and Bartholomew [6]; Thomas [7] and Matthew the tax collector [8]; James the son of Alphaeus [9], and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus [10]; Simon the Cananite [11], and Judas Iscariot [12]…”  (Matthew 10:2-4).

The Treasurer of the Twelve Apostles  ~  “But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son…  had the money box…” (John 12:4-6).  “…some thought, because Judas had the money box…” (John 13:29).

A Root Problem  ~  The Bible warns about greed in many places.  Consider carefully the following passage with as it pertains to the life of Judas.

A Lover of Money  ~  While we cannot know the various motives which Judas possessed it seems clear from Scripture that one of his flaws was his desire for wealth.  “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

Judas Became  ~  His character flaws—from his sin nature—led him down a path of destruction.  He became:

A Thief  ~  “But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son… he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it” (John 12:4-6).

A Traitor  ~  “Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor” (Luke 6:16).

A Betrayer  ~  “Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, ‘Rabbi, is it I?’

He said to him, ‘You have said it’” (Matthew 26:25). 

A Hypocrite  ~  “But Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’” (Luke 22:48).

One Whom Satan Entered  ~  When an enlightened individual continues a lifestyle of sin they make it possible for Satan to take control.  This is what happened to Judas Iscariot.  “Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve” (Luke 22:3).  “And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him” (John 13:2).  “Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him.  Then Jesus said to him, ‘What you do, do quickly’” (John 13:27).

An Apostate  ~  Jesus prayed for His disciples.  “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name.  Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled” (John 17:12).  “To take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place” (Acts 1:25).

Judas’ Result  ~  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:22).  Sin always has consequences.  Sin results in spiritual death and in Judas’ case it also caused his physical death. 

Death by Suicide  ~  “Judas threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:5).  

Closing Comment  ~  Is it any wonder that in the lists of the apostles we find in the Scriptures Judas is always listed last! 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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