Jesus knows all, we know this. So, He clearly knew Judas was going to betray us from the start. Before He even accepted Judas as one of the 12 disciples. Jesus KNEW Judas would betray Him, be the one to give Jesus up to the high priest, Caiaphas. YET, Jesus still loved Judas, took him on with zeal; passion. The zeal of Jesus represents the salvation of mankind.
You see, Judas was given the same power and authority to proclaim the Kingdom of God as we are. We are given the same freedom as Judas. We are often tempted in very similar ways as Judas. We often fall short to defend God, to show His love, just. like. Judas. Judas agreed with the Bible, taught it, but didn’t really practice it. Sound familiar?
He is viewed as a villain in the gospel. Yet, we are so alike him. Judas missed out on all the great things Jesus had right in front of him, I don’t want to assume that I’m exempt from those same behaviors. What Jesus is offering us and offered Judas is WAY better than anything someone or something of the earth can offer. We all have a little Judas in us. It’s our sinful nature. And it’s exposed when we give in to fear of man, the fear of the enemy.
But another interesting thing is that Jesus never moved away from Judas to fuel his motive. Judas moved away from Jesus… we are as close to Jesus RIGHT NOW as you want to be. WE are the ones that move closer. We have every tool, everything we need to move closer to Jesus. Judas had been as deeply committed as the other 11 but, he chose to step away. To choose sin over Jesus. He betrayed Jesus. But isn’t Judas an example of why Jesus died on the cross? To give us all what we don’t deserve; what we could never earn?
Jesus was going to His death wounded before he was whipped and nailed. Wounded by the betrayals and sins of humanity. Judas betrayed Jesus willingly and Jesus still died on the cross, willingly for him, and for us.
Jesus knew Judas would do that from the beginning. So why would He pick Judas as a disciple? Well, doesn’t Jesus also tell us to love our enemies? He can’t teach us to love our enemies if He rejects His. Jesus invited Judas to the table, while Judas was stepping away, Jesus stepped towards Judas.
JESUS STILL CHOOSES US! Every time we choose sin over Jesus, He still invites us to the table. He steps towards us.
We all hold a little of Judas inside of us. BUT we also have the same power that rose Jesus from the grave! The same Holy Spirit that lived in Jesus, lives in us. That will beat the piece of Judas in us every. single. time. We just have to listen in.
joyfully,
Kell
