Judas Becomes a Judas

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March 3rd, 2012

How could anyone wake up one morning and think, “I believe I will betray the Son of God today”? Judas’s story goes deeper. The gospels indicate part of his motive was money: “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” (Matthew 26:14). Luke (22:3) tells us that Judas was possessed by Satan. John (12:6) reports Judas was a thief who stole from the money bag entrusted to his care. Matthew (27:3-5) relates that after Jesus’ arrest Judas had remorse and tried to return the bribe he had accepted. He then went out and hung himself.

Jesus knew early on that Judas’s motives were not pure (John 6:70-71), yet the Savior does not cast him out. Does this make Jesus complicit in Judas’s crimes? No. Jesus knew what was in Judas’s heart and, in merciful love, gave him opportunity to change his course. Judas ignored the Savior’s warnings. He chose to die alone rather than fall at Jesus feet in confession and repentance.

Tags: Jesus