“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” - John 17:12
We tend to have a dim view of those who become traitors. A classic example of a traitor was Benedict Arnold. During the American revolution, he fought for the Colonial army, but later fled to the British and fought for them. We use the name, “Benedict Arnold,” as a label that we apply to those we feel are traitors in some form.
Probably the best known traitor of all time was Judas Iscariot. He was one of the original twelve disciples. He was personally chosen by Jesus to be among the twelve. Judas would ultimately betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
It has been said that, “everyone has their price.” I don't agree with that statement. There are some who have strong convictions and will refuse to compromise. Yet many in our culture do have a price. At the right price, they are willing to bend their ethics out of convenience or for profit. Judas was such a man.
When Jesus prayed to His Father in John 17, He mentions Judas without specifically naming him. “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” Jesus kept His disciples and specifies that none of them are lost … but one. When Jesus prayed these words, Judas had not yet betrayed Him with a kiss. Yet Jesus knew Judas. The kiss of betrayal in the garden would not come as a surprise.
Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him. So why did He choose Judas as a disciple? Why include a man who would sell his soul to betray the Lord? Well, for one thing, it was the fulfillment of prophecy. In fact, Jesus mentions this as He prayed, “... none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” Psalm 41:9 says, “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” Zechariah 11:12-13 says, “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord.”
I think there is another reason Jesus permitted Judas to be among His group of twelve. He knew that we would face such people ourselves. Jesus, being our example, showed us that others will disappoint us and even betray us. Jesus was not exempt from personal betrayal.
In His prayer to the Father, Jesus referred to Judas as, “... the son of perdition.”
According to dictionary.com, the word, “perdition,” means a state of final spiritual ruin, or loss of the soul. In other words, Judas was eternally lost. He was facing eternal punishment for his sins.
Let's consider some sobering facts about Judas. First of all, he walked with Jesus for three years. He heard the Lord's teachings. He saw the miracles. He was a witness to magnificent events. There are many who think that if their lost friends and loved ones saw a miracle, it would lead them to saving faith. Not necessarily. Judas saw the miracles and still perished. When the rich man was suffering in hell, he begged Abraham to send Lazarus back to his brothers. The rich man thought that if his brothers saw a dead man come back to life, they would believe. Yet Abraham said, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
The problem with Judas was not in his head, but in his heart. He saw the miracles, heard the Lord's teachings and stood beside of deity & yet did not believe. To Judas, Jesus was a means to an end. He used the Lord to satisfy his greed. The Bible says that Judas was the treasurer of the ministry finances and he embezzled some of that money. Ultimately, Judas ended up selling the Lord for thirty pieces of silver.
Even worse, Judas had been involved in ministry. Jesus had sent His disciples out two by two. Yes, Judas was part of this short-term mission trip. Read Mark 6:7-13. The disciples were given power over unclean spirits. They preached. They performed miracles, such as the healing of the sick and casting out demons. Yes, Judas was part of this mission trip. He was part of a two-man team that was involved in this powerful ministry. Yet he was lost.
This should force us to look within. Just because you go on a short-term mission trip, serve in a ministry or participate in some evangelistic work … these things don't make you right with God. You must be born again. While the work of your hands is important, it is the state of your heart that makes an eternal difference. Don't continue playing church with a deceitful, hard heart. Get right with God. Repent. Turn to Jesus in complete surrender.
Don't be a Judas.
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