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Chapter 76
Judas
THE history of Judas presents the sad ending of a life that might have been honored of
God. Had Judas died before his last journey to Jerusalem he would have been regarded as a
man worthy of a place among the twelve, and one who would be greatly missed. The
abhorrence which has followed him through the centuries would not have existed but for the
attributes revealed at the close of his history. But it was for a purpose that his
character was laid open to the world. It was to be a warning to all who, like him, should
betray sacred trusts.
A little before the Passover, Judas had renewed his contract with the priests to deliver
Jesus into their hands. Then it was arranged that the Saviour should be taken at one of
His resorts for meditation and prayer. Since the feast at the house of Simon, Judas had
had opportunity to reflect upon the deed which he had covenanted to perform, but his
purpose was unchanged. For thirty pieces of silver--the price of a slave--he sold the Lord
of glory to ignominy and death.
Judas had naturally a strong love for money; but he had not always been corrupt enough to
do such a deed as this. He had fostered the evil spirit of avarice until it had become the
ruling motive of his life. The love of mammon overbalanced his love for Christ. Through
becoming the slave of one vice he gave himself to Satan, to be driven to any lengths in
sin.
Judas had joined the disciples when multitudes were following Christ. The Saviour's
teaching moved their hearts as they hung entranced upon His words, spoken in the
synagogue, by the seaside, upon the mount.
Judas saw the sick, the lame, the blind, flock to Jesus from the towns and cities. He saw
the dying laid at His feet. He witnessed the Saviour's mighty works in healing the sick,
casting out devils, and raising the dead. He felt in his own person the evidence of
Christ's power. He recognized the teaching of Christ as superior to all that he had ever
heard. He loved the Great Teacher, and desired to be with Him. He felt a desire to be
changed in character and life, and he hoped to experience this through connecting himself
with Jesus. The Saviour did not repulse Judas. He gave him a place among the twelve. He
trusted him to do the work of an evangelist. He endowed him with power to heal the sick
and to cast out devils. But Judas did not come to the point of surrendering himself fully
to Christ. He did not give up his worldly ambition or his love of money. While he accepted
the position of a minister of Christ, he did not bring himself under the divine molding.
He felt that he could retain his own judgment and opinions, and he cultivated a
disposition to criticize and accuse.
Judas was highly regarded by the disciples, and had great influence over them. He himself
had a high opinion of his own qualifications, and looked upon his brethren as greatly
inferior to him in judgment and ability. They did not see their opportunities, he thought,
and take advantage of circumstances. The church would never prosper with such shortsighted
men as leaders. Peter was impetuous; he would move without consideration. John, who was
treasuring up the truths that fell from Christ's lips, was looked upon by Judas as a poor
financier. Matthew, whose training had taught him accuracy in all things, was very
particular in regard to honesty, and he was ever contemplating the words of Christ, and
became so absorbed in them that, as Judas thought, he could not be trusted to do sharp,
far-seeing business. Thus Judas summed up all the disciples, and flattered himself that
the church would often be brought into perplexity and embarrassment if it were not for his
ability as a manager. Judas regarded himself as the capable one, who could not be
overreached. In his own estimation he was an honor to the cause, and as such he always
represented himself.
Judas was blinded to his own weakness of character, and Christ placed him where he would
have an opportunity to see and correct this. As treasurer for the disciples, he was called
upon to provide for the needs of the little company, and to relieve the necessities of the
poor. When in the Passover chamber Jesus said to him, "That thou doest, do
quickly" (John 13:27), the disciples thought He had bidden him
buy what was needed for the feast, or give something to the poor. In ministering to
others, Judas might have developed an unselfish spirit. But while listening daily to the
lessons of Christ and witnessing His unselfish life, Judas indulged his covetous
disposition. The small sums that came into his hands were a continual temptation. Often
when he did a little service for Christ, or devoted time to religious purposes, he paid
himself out of this meager fund. In his own eyes these pretexts served to excuse his
action; but in God's sight he was a thief.
Christ's oft-repeated statement that His kingdom was not of this world offended Judas. He
had marked out a line upon which he expected Christ to work. He had planned that John the
Baptist should be delivered from prison. But lo, John was left to be beheaded. And Jesus,
instead of asserting His royal right and avenging the death of John, retired with His
disciples into a country place. Judas wanted more aggressive warfare. He thought that if
Jesus would not prevent the disciples from carrying out their schemes, the work would be
more successful. He marked the increasing enmity of the Jewish leaders, and saw their
challenge unheeded when they demanded from Christ a sign from heaven. His heart was open
to unbelief, and the enemy supplied thoughts of questioning and rebellion. Why did Jesus
dwell so much upon that which was discouraging? Why did He predict trial and persecution
for Himself and for His disciples? The prospect of having a high place in the new kingdom
had led Judas to espouse the cause of Christ. Were his hopes to be disappointed? Judas had
not decided that Jesus was not the Son of God; but he was questioning, and seeking to find
some explanation of His mighty works.
Notwithstanding the Saviour's own teaching, Judas was continually advancing the idea that
Christ would reign as king in Jerusalem. At the feeding of the five thousand he tried to
bring this about. On this occasion Judas assisted in distributing the food to the hungry
multitude. He had an opportunity to see the benefit which it was in his power to impart to
others. He felt the satisfaction that always comes in service to God. He helped to bring
the sick and suffering from among the multitude to Christ. He saw what relief, what joy
and gladness, come to human hearts through the healing power of the Restorer. He might
have comprehended the methods of Christ. But he was blinded by his own selfish desires.
Judas was first to take advantage of the enthusiasm excited by the miracle of the loaves.
It was he who set on foot the project to take Christ by force and make Him king. His hopes were high. His disappointment
was bitter.
Christ's discourse in the synagogue concerning the bread of life was the turning point in
the history of Judas. He heard the words, "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man,
and drink His blood, ye have no life in you." John 6:53. He saw that Christ was
offering spiritual rather than worldly good. He regarded himself as farsighted, and
thought he could see that Jesus would have no honor, and that He could bestow no high
position upon His followers. He determined not to unite himself so closely to Christ but
that he could draw away. He would watch. And he did watch.
From that time he expressed doubts that confused the disciples. He introduced
controversies and misleading sentiments, repeating the arguments urged by the scribes and
Pharisees against the claims of Christ. All the little and large troubles and crosses, the
difficulties and the apparent hindrances to the advancement of the gospel, Judas
interpreted as evidences against its truthfulness. He would introduce texts of Scripture
that had no connection with the truths Christ was presenting. These texts, separated from
their connection, perplexed the disciples, and increased the discouragement that was
constantly pressing upon them. Yet all this was done by Judas in such a way as to make it
appear that he was conscientious. And while the disciples were searching for evidence to
confirm the words of the Great Teacher, Judas would lead them almost imperceptibly on
another track. Thus in a very religious, and apparently wise, way he was presenting
matters in a different light from that in which Jesus had given them, and attaching to His
words a meaning that He had not conveyed. His suggestions were constantly exciting an
ambitious desire for temporal preferment, and thus turning the disciples from the
important things they should have considered. The dissension as to which of them should be
greatest was generally excited by Judas.
When Jesus presented to the rich young ruler the condition of discipleship, Judas was
displeased. He thought that a mistake had been made. If such men as this ruler could be
connected with the believers, they would help sustain Christ's cause. If Judas were only
received as a counselor, he thought, he could suggest many plans for the advantage of the
little church. His principles and methods would differ somewhat from Christ's, but in
these things he thought himself wiser than Christ.
In all that Christ said to His disciples, there was something with which, in heart, Judas
disagreed. Under his influence the leaven of disaffection was fast doing its work. The
disciples did not see the real agency in all this; but Jesus saw that Satan was
communicating his attributes to Judas, and thus opening up a channel through which to
influence the other disciples. This, a year before the betrayal, Christ declared.
"Have not I chosen you twelve," He said, "and one of you is a devil?"
John 6:70.
Yet Judas made no open opposition, nor seemed to question the Saviour's lessons. He made
no outward murmur until the time of the feast in Simon's house. When Mary anointed the
Saviour's feet, Judas manifested his covetous disposition. At the reproof from Jesus his
very spirit seemed turned to gall. Wounded pride and desire for revenge broke down the
barriers, and the greed so long indulged held him in control. This will be the experience
of everyone who persists in tampering with sin. The elements of depravity that are not
resisted and overcome, respond to Satan's temptation, and the soul is led captive at his
will.
But Judas was not yet wholly hardened. Even after he had twice pledged himself to betray
the Saviour, there was opportunity for repentance. At the Passover supper Jesus proved His
divinity by revealing the traitor's purpose. He tenderly included Judas in the ministry to
the disciples. But the last appeal of love was unheeded. Then the case of Judas was
decided, and the feet that Jesus had washed went forth to the betrayer's work.
Judas reasoned that if Jesus was to be crucified, the event must come to pass. His own act
in betraying the Saviour would not change the result. If Jesus was not to die, it would
only force Him to deliver Himself. At all events, Judas would gain something by his
treachery. He counted that he had made a sharp bargain in betraying his Lord.
Judas did not, however, believe that Christ would permit Himself to be arrested. In
betraying Him, it was his purpose to teach Him a lesson. He intended to play a part that
would make the Saviour careful thenceforth to treat him with due respect. But Judas knew
not that he was giving Christ up to death. How often, as the Saviour taught in parables,
the scribes and Pharisees had been carried away with His striking illustrations! How often
they had pronounced judgment against themselves! Often when the truth was brought home to
their hearts, they had been filled with rage, and had taken up stones to cast at Him;
but again and again He had made His escape. Since He had escaped so many snares, thought
Judas, He certainly would not now allow Himself to be taken.
Judas decided to put the matter to the test. If Jesus really was the Messiah, the people,
for whom He had done so much, would rally about Him, and would proclaim Him king. This
would forever settle many minds that were now in uncertainty. Judas would have the credit
of having placed the king on David's throne. And this act would secure to him the first
position, next to Christ, in the new kingdom.
The false disciple acted his part in betraying Jesus. In the garden, when he said to the
leaders of the mob, "Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He: hold Him fast"
(Matt. 26:48), he fully believed that Christ would escape out of their hands. Then if they
should blame him, he could say, Did I not tell you to hold Him fast?
Judas beheld the captors of Christ, acting upon his words, bind Him firmly. In amazement
he saw that the Saviour suffered Himself to be led away. Anxiously he followed Him from
the garden to the trial before the Jewish rulers. At every movement he looked for Him to
surprise His enemies, by appearing before them as the Son of God, and setting at nought
all their plots and power. But as hour after hour went by, and Jesus submitted to all the
abuse heaped upon Him, a terrible fear came to the traitor that he had sold his Master to
His death.
As the trial drew to a close, Judas could endure the torture of his guilty conscience no
longer. Suddenly a hoarse voice rang through the hall, sending a thrill of terror to all
hearts: He is innocent; spare Him, O Caiaphas!
The tall form of Judas was now seen pressing through the startled throng. His face was
pale and haggard, and great drops of sweat stood on his forehead. Rushing to the throne of
judgment, he threw down
before the high priest the pieces of silver that had been the price of his Lord's
betrayal. Eagerly grasping the robe of Caiaphas, he implored him to release Jesus,
declaring that He had done nothing worthy of death. Caiaphas angrily shook him off, but
was confused, and knew not what to say. The perfidy of the priests was revealed. It was
evident that they had bribed the disciple to betray his Master.
"I have sinned," again cried Judas, "in that I have betrayed the innocent
blood." But the high priest, regaining his self-possession, answered with scorn,
"What is that to us? see thou to that." Matt. 27:4. The priests had been willing
to make Judas their tool; but they despised his baseness. When he turned to them with
confession, they spurned him.
Judas now cast himself at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging Him to be the Son of God, and
entreating Him to deliver Himself. The Saviour did not reproach His betrayer. He knew that
Judas did not repent; his confession was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of
condemnation and a looking for of judgment, but he felt no deep, heartbreaking grief that
he had betrayed the spotless Son of God, and denied the Holy One of Israel. Yet Jesus
spoke no word of condemnation. He looked pityingly upon Judas, and said, For this hour
came I into the world.
A murmur of surprise ran through the assembly. With amazement they beheld the forbearance
of Christ toward His betrayer. Again there swept over them the conviction that this Man
was more than mortal. But if He was the Son of God, they questioned, why did He not free
Himself from His bonds and triumph over His accusers?
Judas saw that his entreaties were in vain, and he rushed from the hall exclaiming, It is
too late! It is too late! He felt that he could not live to see Jesus crucified, and in
despair went out and hanged himself.
Later that same day, on the road from Pilate's hall to Calvary, there came an interruption
to the shouts and jeers of the wicked throng who were leading Jesus to the place of
crucifixion. As they passed a retired spot, they saw at the foot of a lifeless tree, the
body of Judas. It was a most revolting sight. His weight had broken the cord by which he
had hanged himself to the tree. In falling, his body had been horribly mangled, and dogs
were now devouring it. His remains were immediately buried out of sight; but there was
less mockery among the throng, and many a pale face revealed the thoughts within.
Retribution seemed already visiting those who were guilty of the blood of Jesus.
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