DESTINY’S BIBLE STUDY NOTES ANDS QUOTES

(The Life and Ministry of Jesus #47)

Judas

The history of Judas presents the sad ending of a life that might have been honored. Had Judas died before his last journey to Jerusalem he would have been regarded as a man worthy of a place among the twelve, and one who would be greatly missed.

But it was for a purpose that his character was laid open to the world. It was to be a warning to all who, like him, should betray sacred trusts.

Judas had fostered the evil spirit of greed until it had become the ruling motive of his life. The love of the world overbalanced his love for Christ.

The Savior did not repulse Judas. He gave him a place among the twelve. He trusted him to do the work of an evangelist. He endowed him with power to heal the sick and to cast out devils. But Judas did not come to the point of surrendering himself fully to Christ. He did not give up his worldly ambition or his love of money. While he accepted the position of a minster of Christ, he did not bring himself under the divine molding. He felt that he could retain his own judgement and opinions, and he cultivated a disposition to criticize and accuse.

Christ’s often repeated statement that His kingdom was not of this world displeased Judas.

Judas saw what relief, what joy and gladness, come to human hearts through the healing power of the Redeemer. He might have comprehended the methods of Christ, but he was blinded by his own selfish desires.

Christ’s discourse in the synagogue concerning the bread of life was the turning point in the history of Judas. He heard the words “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” (John 6:53) He saw that Christ was offering spiritual rather than worldly good.

Judas made no open opposition, nor seemed to question the Savior’s lessons. Yet the dissension of who should be the greatest was generally excited by him.

Judas’s experience will be the experience of everyone who persists in tampering with sin. The elements of depravity that are not resisted and overcome respond to Satan’s temptation, and the soul is led captive at his will.

Judas did not believe that Jesus would permit himself to be arrested. In betraying Him, it was his purpose to teach him a lesson, and acquire for himself a high position in his kingdom. Since Jesus had escaped so many snares previously, Judas thought Jesus would not allow Himself to be taken.

The priests had been willing to make Judas their tool, but they despised his baseness. When he turned to them with confession, they spurned him.

The Savior did not reproach His betrayer. He knew that Judas did not repent. His confession was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a looking for of judgement, but he felt no deep, heartbreaking grief that he had betrayed the spotless Son of God. Yet Jesus spoke no word of condemnation. He looked pityingly upon Judas, and said, “For this hour came I into the world.”

Judas saw that his entreaties were in vain, and he rushed from the hall. He felt that he could not live to see Jesus crucified, and in despair went out and hanged himself.

Retribution seemed already visiting those who were guilty of the blood of Jesus.

In Pilate’s Judgement Hall (See Matthew 27:2, 11-31, Mark 15:1-20, Luke 23:1-25, John 18:28-40, 19:1-16)

Before Pilate, the Roman governor, stands Christ bound as a prisoner. Pilate had to deal with all kinds of criminals, but never before had a man bearing marks of such goodness and nobility been brought before him. On his face he saw no sign of guilt, no expression of fear, no boldness or defiance. He saw a man of calm and dignified bearing, whose countenance bore not the marks of a criminal, but the signature of heaven.

Pilate saw through the priests’ purpose. He did not believe that the prisoner had plotted against the government. His meek and humble appearance was altogether out of harmony with the charge.

With noisy cries, priests, scribes, and rulers demanded that Jesus be sentenced to death. The shouts were taken up by the onlooking mob, and the uproar was deafening. Pilate was confused. Seeing that Jesus made no answer to His accusers, Pilate said to Him, “You answer nothing? Behold how many things they testify against You.” But Jesus still answered nothing.

Standing behind Pilate, in view of all the court, Christ heard the abuse. But to all the false charges against Him He answered not a word. His whole bearing gave evidence of conscious innocence. He stood unmoved by the fury of the waves that beat about Him.

“I find in Him no fault at all,” Pilate had declared. These words from a heathen judge were a scathing rebuke to falsehood of the rulers of Israel who were accusing the Savior.

When Pilate heard that Christ was from Galilee, he decided to send Him to Herod, the ruler of that province, who was then in Jerusalem. By this course, Pilate thought to shift the responsibility of the trial from himself to Herod. He also thought this a good opportunity to heal an old quarrel between himself and Herod. And so it proved. Thus the two magistrates made friends over the trial of the Savior.

Herod as well as Pilate was satisfied that Christ had been accused through malice and envy. Yet he peppered Christ with many questions, but throughout the Savior maintained a profound silence. He even petitioned Christ to preform a miracle. The Son of God had taken upon Himself human nature. He must do as man must do in like circumstances. Therefore He would not work a miracle to save Himself the pain and humiliation that man must endure when placed in a similar position.

The mission of Christ in this world was not to gratify idle curiosity. He came to heal the broken hearted.

Hardened as he was, Herod dared not ratify the condemnation of Christ. He wished to relieve himself of the terrible responsibility, and he sent Jesus back to the Roman judgement hall. Pilate was disappointed and much displeased.

Although Pilate found no fault in Jesus, he declared that he would chastise Him and then release Him. Here Pilate showed his weakness. He had declared that Jesus was innocent, yet he was willing for Him to be scourged to pacify the accusers.

Pilate had taken step after step in violation of his conscience. He had excused himself from judging with justice and equity, and he now found himself almost helpless in the hands of the priests and rulers. His wavering and indecision proved his ruin.

The wife of Pilate had been visited by an angel from heaven, and in a dream she beheld the Savior. She was not a Jew, but as she looked upon Jesus in her dream, she had no doubt of His character and mission. While Pilate was hesitating as to what he should do, a messenger pressed through the crowd, and handed him a letter from his wife which read: “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him.”

Pilate’s face grew pale. He was confused by his own conflicting emotions. But while he had been delaying to act, the priests and rulers were still further inflaming the minds of the people.

The Roman authorities at this time held a prisoner named Barabbas, who was under sentence of death. This man had claimed to be the Messiah. Under cover of religious enthusiasm, he was a hardened and desperate villain, bent on rebellion and cruelty.

Pilate asked the crowd who he should release, Jesus or Barabbas. He was certain they would choose Jesus, but instead demanded that he release Barabbas. He asked what he should do with Christ. The surging multitude roared like demons. “Let Him be crucified.”

Satan led the cruel mob in its abuse of the Savior. It was his purpose to provoke Him to retaliation, and thus break up the plan of salvation. But He who could have driven away that mob in terror by the flashing forth of His divine majesty—submitted with perfect calmness to the coarsest insult and outrage. Every feature of Christ’s face expressed gentleness and the tenderest pity for His cruel foes. In His manner there was no cowardly weakness, but the strength and dignity of long suffering love.

Pilate was filled with amazement at the uncomplaining patience of the Savior. In the vast sea of upturned faces, His alone was peaceful.

Pilate had longed to deliver Jesus. But he saw that he could not do this, and yet retain his own position and honor. Rather than lose his worldly power, he chose to sacrifice an innocent life. How many, to escape loss or suffering, in like manner sacrifice principle. Conscience and duty point one way, and self-interest points another.

Yet the very thing he dreaded afterward came upon him. Not long after the crucifixion, his honors were stripped from him, and he was cast down from his high office. Stung by remorse and wounded pride, he ended his own life.

“The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”  (1 Corinthians 2:14)