April 3
Bible Reading: Luke 22
Luke 22:21-23, “’But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!’ And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.”
An art forger made millions of dollars by painting and selling fake duplicates of expensive works of art. His forgeries were so authentic looking that no one could tell that they were frauds. He was finally “found out” by a forensic art detective when he mistakenly used a paint that was not available in the time of the painting he had forged. His paintings were near perfect but were faux representations. Judas reminds us that it is possible to play the part of a disciple of Jesus, without actually being one.
Judas was a faux disciple, though he was a privileged recipient of unique spiritual advantages. Judas walked with Jesus. Judas saw Jesus do things that no man had ever done. He heard Him speak as no man had ever spoken. Jesus’ words worked to calm storms and raise the dead, but they did not work to move Judas’ heart. Never had any man had a better set of friends. Judas enjoyed the blessings associated with union to a unique company of God-chosen men partnered together in a glorious enterprise. Despite these special privileges, Judas was not and was never a true disciple. He serves as a reminder to all of the hazards associated with mere external religion. Jesus warned, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of the Father who is in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’ (Matthew 7:21-23).” Religious profession and practice are of no value if unaccompanied by religious possession. Judas had religion, but he did not possess salvation in Christ.
Judas was a faux disciple, and the rest of the disciples were unaware of it. Judas played the part of a true disciple. He spoke “disciple words” and did “disciple things.” He accompanied Jesus and the others and was with them day and night and day-after-day. They were with him and saw in him nothing that would set him apart as a phony. He was a chameleon. He blended in. He feigned interest. He mimicked what the others were doing. Jesus warned of His betrayal, the disciples questioned one another as to whom it would be. Satan had already entered Judas’ heart. He had already met with the chief priests and officers (Luke 22:3-6). The disciples didn’t know the identity of the betrayer, but Jesus did.
Jesus knew the truth about Judas. He who knows what is in a man, knew what was in Judas’ heart (John 2:25). Judas betrayed his Master just as Jesus had warned. After Jesus’ arrest, he felt remorse and sought to return the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. Then he went and hung himself (Matthew 27:3-5). Jesus had said of Judas, “It would have been better for that man if he had not been born” (Matthew 26:24). It’s hard to imagine a more horrible epitaph!
Judas’ example serves to remind us of an important truth—religious profession and practice alone are no guarantee regarding a person’s salvation. A person can grow up in a Christian home, attend church, hear Christian teaching, and do Christian things. They can be baptized and even share with others in communion. They can do all these things and yet remain unsaved. A person must be born again as a result of receiving Jesus by faith (John 1:12). Anything else or less is to no avail. The question is not whether a person has associated himself with Christians or heard or done Christian things. The question is, does that person possess a personal relationship with Jesus (2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 John 5:11-12). The other disciples were far from perfect. All fled as Jesus’ arrest. Peter denied Jesus three times. But they belonged to Jesus and were kept by Him, “none of them (was) lost except the son of destruction” (John 17:12). How blessed are those who have entered into an authentic relationship with Him by faith!
It is not enough to know of Jesus or know about him or associate with those who do. The urgent call to every soul is to enter into an eternal and abiding relationship with Him by faith.
Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from ev’ry sin and set me free.
Lord, take my life and make it wholly thine;
Fill my poor heart with thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride;
I now surrender; Lord, in me abide.
LookingtoJesus 