ZNA-334
910630AM
Judas & Apostacy
Mark 3:16
Open to Mark 3:16 and let me read Peter… now v.19 (slowly)
The last Apostle stands out against the background of the others. He is isolated, lonely, and alone. His name?…
Judas Iscariot Judas was a horrifying, colossal misfit – the epitome of disaster. His name is mentioned last in the list of Apostles here in Mark 3 as well as in all of the other lists, along with a comment about his betrayal of Christ. The dark story of Judas is a blight on the page of human history. His name became a byword for betrayal, and has become so despised that it is not used in human society – although its meaning is full of loveliness.
Judas warns that seeing God’s reality and power does not equal embracing his salvation.
Now, I believe this man can teach us some profound and awakening lessons; so let’s examine what the Bible says about him:
1) The name Judas = Judas means Jehovah leads on one who is to be praised Iscariot = Ish + Kerioth man from Kerioth Ish = man Kerioth = town 23 miles south Jerusalem that gave birth to one of the most hated men ever to live
2) The choice Now, one thing is certain: (John 6:64 “from beginning”) Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, and that’s why He chose him. You see, Jesus knew the plan. Not only was He omniscient, but He knew the Old Testament had predicted that one of His own would betray Him. For example:
i. Psalm 41:9 – “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.”
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The psalmist saw the Messiah being betrayed by His own familiar friend, far in the future. ii. Psalm 55:12-14, 20b-21 – “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it. Neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hidden myself from him; but it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and my familiar friend. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company… he hath broken his covenant. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.” Here we see treachery, hypocrisy and betrayal, with a Messianic perspective. iii. Zechariah 11:12-13 – “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighted for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter – a lordly price that I was prized at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord.
The Old Testament prophesied that the Messiah would be betrayed by His own familiar friend for thirty pieces of silver, and the New Testament simply records the fulfillment of the prophecy (Matthew 26:14-16). So, when Jesus chose Judas, He knew that he would be the one to fulfill the prophecies of betrayal. He chose him because of the plan.
In John 17:12, Jesus is praying to the Father about the Twelve, and He says, “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.” In other words, Judas was lost because it was the fulfilling of Scripture. Jesus chose him because he knew the Scripture, and He knew that prophecy must be fulfilled. That was the plan!
John MacArthur says… If the betrayal was prophesied, was Judas responsible? You say, “How can God predetermine that Jesus would be betrayed, set up the plan, make all the prophecies, fit Judas into it, and then make him responsible?” I don’t understand how because I don’t have the infinite mind of God, but Judas is responsible. Look at Luke 22:21-22. Jesus, speaking at the last Supper, says this: “But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth Me is with Me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined; but woe unto that man by
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whom He is betrayed.” On the one hand it was all determined, but on the other hand Judas was responsible. The overruling power and providence of god can allow such a man as Judas to desire to follow Christ of his own choice, and yet be in utter fulfillment of the divine plan. That is the power of God!
3) The Betrayal –John 6 – John 6:64 – Christ knew it would be yet he let Judas be treasurer and in spite of Christ teaching he stole – John 6:70 – Christ said traitor – Luke 22:23 – no one suspected him – John 12:4-6 – Judas hypocrite – Luke 21:37-22:6 – deliberate betrayal, Judas ignored – John 12:25-26 – Christ warned So Judas was hypocritical, hard-hearted sinner.
John 13:30 – “out into night” John 8:12 – Christian light of the world / men loved darkness rather than light –John 3:19
What a tragic choice as with any who choose to reject Christ – This morning if you reject God’s final call of grace you’ll have no chance your footsteps to retrace – all hope will then be gone! What can we learn? 1. Judas was most vivid picture of a rejected opportunity. – He was with Jesus 3 ½ years! And ignored Him feeding/healing/raising/walking – he had it all – he saw it, felt it and rejected it. 2. Judas was most vivid example of wasted privilege – He traded mere money for eternity – he could have been written as one of 12 foundation stones of Heaven. 3. Judas was the most explicit portrait of the lover of money… – sold Christ for 30 pieces = 120 denarii or $19.20 Sold Christ for $20 or 4 months pay! Scofield says. 4. Judas was the vivid portrait of the patience of God – Christ knew and still lovingly let him make his choice.
The ultimate hypocrite! Judas was not the first nor will he be the last – Let’s look at a few portraits of other false professions of Godliness.
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Genesis 4:6 Cain -Cain wanted to worship God his own way without following God’s pattern -He is a portrait of false faith and of self righteousness -Sin is portrayed as crouching at his door – Genesis 4:7
“Sin is a monster of such awful mien that to be hated needs but to be seen… but seen to often, familiar with face – first we endure, then pity then embrace.”
Cain tried to come to God his way Hearst Castle Christ said one way – John 14:6 – I am the Way.
Turn to Joshua 6:17 – our 3rd fake is Achan – A man who wanted to be at home with God’s people but keep the world in his home! 1) v. 17 – says entire city was devoted irrevocably given to God. 2) God always calls His own out of the world Abraham – out of Ur to look for a heavenly city Enoch – walk with God Noah – only 8 out of a billion saved Daniel + 3 friends alone not bow 3) Achan’s sins was he wanted to be in God’s camp with out the separation from the world because of it he cost it all – family, possession and life. 7:16-21
Beware – if you allow the world to be a welcomed guest it will defile you and your family. Never watch sin on TV, get rid of books, magazines, rock music, pictures, games and activities that defile.
Well– Cain wanted to get to God his way Achan wanted to stay with Gods people and the world Judas walked with God and abandoned it
Where are you this morning?