Yesterday I touched on the Last Supper and how Jesus informed His disciples that one of them would betray him. To continue on that thought; what is more remarkable to me is that the disciples didn’t instantly suspect Judas. But apparently they missed the warning signs just like we miss them in our own life. The name “Judas” has become synonymous with betrayal and deceit and corruption and greediness and carnality. From what little we now know on this side of history, we presume that Judas was the quintessential, self-serving used-car salesman and as easy to pick out of a crowd as they are in their plaid suit coats and loud ties. But the reaction of the disciples tells a different story–-each of them considered themselves as capable of such treachery as Judas. There is no evidence anywhere in scripture that Judas was singled out by the disciples as the culprit. He was just another disciple – learning, growing, impetuous, trying, failing, fumbling, fickle, weak… just like all the rest. It can reasonably be assumed from Matthew 17 that all the disciples must have been given power to do miracles. If Judas had been excluded, doubts and questions would have flooded the minds of the remaining disciples, especially Peter. I can just hear him asking, “Lord, what’s the deal with Judas? Why can’t he do any of this miracle stuff? Is there maybe something fishy going on with him?” Isn’t it amazing that those who walked with Jesus and would later comprise the foundation of the Church (Eph. 2:20) were unable to differentiate between the true worshipers of God and those who were wolves in sheep’s clothing?
How quick are we to identify what we perceive to be the Judases in our circles? When betrayal and deceit are the sermon topics, do we bow in humble acknowledgment of the Jeremiah 17:9ness of our own hearts or do we immediately begin pointing and asking, “Is it him? Is it her? Is it them? Where are they Lord, I’ll take care of ‘em for you!”
I recognize that Judas was part of God’s divine plan and his betrayal was prophesied in the Old Testament. I would assume however that Judas had a natural devotion to Jesus, but that devotion was likely motivated out of the personal benefit. Maybe Judas thought he could cash in on when Jesus is named the Messiah and over threw Roman rule. Something analogous to supporting a candidate during the primaries so you can get a seat in his cabinet or a lucrative post. Oswald Chamber’s states; “…Natural devotion may be enough to attract us to Jesus, to make us feel His irresistible charm, but it will never make us disciples. Natural devotion will deny Jesus, always falling short of what it means to truly follow Him."
For those who have been predestined from before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4) to be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29), who have been called and justified (Rom. 8:30), who have been given the down payment of their inheritance (Eph.1:13-14) in the Spirit to empower them and the Word to equip them, who have heard the sayings of Jesus and done them (Matt. 7:24), who have experienced the transforming promise that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6), to these awaits the warm welcome of Him who became sin (though he Himself never sinned) for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (II Cor. 5:21). He says, Welcome! I have always known you and I set my affection on you (Eph. 1:4-6). I have pursued you and drawn you to myself, and made you alive so you could respond (Eph. 2:1-2). While the weakness of your flesh made you groan along with the rest of the sin-cursed creation (Rom. 8:22-23), my love eventually won you over. Now you are eternally set free from the curse, both your spirit and your body (Rev. 21:4, 22:3). Now enter into my joy, full and overflowing (I Pet. 1:7-9).
I know you!
Note: This post is based on a devotional originally prepared and presented on 12/08/05 by my friend Rudy Estelle who graciously allowed me to reprint it. His original post can be found on euchatastrophe.com
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