I consider myself a modern Nathan Hale.
Posted on 04/08/2021 5:52:00 AM PDT by metmom
“He who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, ‘Whomever I shall kiss, He is the one; seize Him.’ And immediately he came to Jesus and said, ‘Hail, Rabbi!’ and kissed Him. And Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you have come for’” (Matthew 26:48-50).
Judas Iscariot, in his attitudes and actions, is a classic example of the false believer.
As one of the Twelve, Judas was extremely disappointed at the kind of Messiah Jesus turned out to be. Instead of teaching the disciples how to conquer and control, Jesus taught them how to submit and serve. Any ambitions Judas might have had for gaining wealth, power, or prestige by being a close follower of Jesus were frustrated.
Judas’ compulsive unbelief, combined with his relentless greed and ambition, found a perverse, temporal fulfillment when Satan entered him, and he struck a deal with the Jewish leaders to betray Jesus for money (Luke 22:36). As one possessed by the Devil, Judas’s evil actions were no longer his own, though he was still responsible for them.
Judas could have chosen any of several ways to identify Jesus to the mob, but under Satan’s direction he selected a kiss. This kiss was normally given as a sign of affection between close friends or between pupil and teacher. In the context of Judas’ scheme, however, the kiss could hardly have been more despicable because he twisted its meaning so cynically. It is hard to imagine what grief Jesus must have felt when the one who had been treasurer for the Twelve brashly came forward, said “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed his Master.
Judas’ situation was unique, but his basic attitude is typical of all false believers. The church has always had those who hypocritically profess allegiance to Christ but at heart are really His enemies. Whether it is to advance their business or profession, gain social acceptance, or salve a guilty conscience, hypocrites identify with the church for various reasons. But like Judas, their basic motivation is sinful self-interest.
May God give us the courage to examine our hearts and repent of such traits, and the discernment to deal biblically with false believers in the church.
Suggestions for Prayer
Ask God to graciously protect the integrity and purity of your local church.
For Further Study
Read the Epistle of Jude, and list the key traits of false teachers. What should you know and do regarding such people (vv. 17-23)?
Studying God’s Word ping
I have always found this piece of Christianity fascinating, the betrayal by Judas, and I find myself dwelling on it a bit more recently.
I am still finding my way to God, and there is something about this incident that seems to reveal something critical to me.
God gave us free will, and I assume that God used the free will in Judas as a tool to effect the arrest of Jesus. Judas had a choice, was weak, and susceptible to Satan.
Is that how knowledgeable Christians see it?
I consider myself a modern Nathan Hale.
It’s quite true.
Let me mull that over for a bit.
Thank you, Metmom.
An interesting note from Bible codes. Underneath the text of precious Isaiah 53 are the names of Jesus and his disciples. Except for one which should be there because of it having been so common a name then: Judas.
Those who claim Judas is saved, Jesus Himself at the end of John 6 identified Judas as a devil. Not going to be any devils in Heaven, as far as I can tell.
Judas was convinced that he could force Jesus into launching the Kingdom Age as Judas understood it, an overthrow of Roman rule. I see it that Judas though Jesus was authorizing that instigation to start the Kingdom when He told Judas ‘what you do do quickly’. I imagine Judas thought of himself as a special member of the twelve, being given the task to start the overthrow of Roman rule by havign Jesus arrested by the Temple Guards. Malchus gave an ear to that ...
Amen to that.
“I assume that God used the free will in Judas as a tool ...”
I don’t agree, rlmorel. God tells us the future in advance, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that God causes events. God knew Who would betray Him. If God had used Judas’ free will than it wouldn’t really be free will, no?
LOL, I had to ask, because I am feeling my way through it on my own, and this has probably been discussed ten gazillion times by ten gazillion people far, FAR more knowledgeable and in tune than I am!
I always assumed that Satan had a hand in it with temptation, and Judas must have been fixed in Satan’s eye as someone who was susceptible to temptation (power, helping to overthrow the Roman Empire, etc.)
I also always assumed that God knew what was going to happen before it happened in our slice of time...His omniscience across all time...even though He knew what Judas was going to do, he didn’t “make” him do it.
I love stories with a time twist, but I got lost quickly into the weeds on this one!
Just keep reading the Bible and you won’t be led wrong, rlmorel. Understanding comes in time and by God’s Holy Spirit. God bless you.
John 6:70Jesus answered them, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71He was speaking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. For although Judas was one of the Twelve, he was later to betray Jesus.
Oh...I thought this was a Pence thread...sorry. Carry on.
Is THIS the Unforgivable sin?
Where do I find this in the bible?
yup
Judas was into what he could attain of the world. Wasn’t really into the whole “Savior of the World” thang. You can find the same people in pews today doing the same.
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