Judas: Saved or Lost ? George H. Mundell*
the beginning who they were that be lieved not, and who should betray him” (John 6 : 63,64). Here the Lord Jesus definitely states that Judas was an unbeliever from the very beginning, for He knew from the beginning who would betray Him. Judas was never a saved man, even though he partook of all of the grace and blessing and love that the other disciples shared. He never opened his heart to the Lord. “ But there are some of you that be lieve not. For Jesus knew from the be ginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. “ Then said Jesus unto the twelve.” Twelve—Judas was still there. “Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter an swered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. “ Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?” (Devil is sometimes translated demon.) “He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve” (John 6:64-71). The Lord makes constant reference to the betrayal from within the circle of the Twelve. Now the testimony of Peter in
W AS the man Judas, who traveled as a disciple with the Lord for three years, ever saved? What saith the Scriptures? “ Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him” (Matt. 10:4). When Judas is introduced to us in Scripture, he is introduced as the be trayer of our Lord Jesus. “ Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him” (Matt. 26:14-16). “Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? “ And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me iii the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master is it I? He said unto him, Thou has said.” Judas was told by the Lord while he was gathered in the presence of the other disciples that he would betray Christ. Judas partook of the Last Supper. He did not go out until after they had broken bread in the Passover Supper, which became our communion service. In that same chapter, Matthew 26, we read: “ And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. “ And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.” Note the word Friend, because we are going to see something of it a little further along. In Luke 22 it is written: “ Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. “ Then entered Satan into Judas sur-
named Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and cove nanted to give him money. And he prom ised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude” ( 1-6). “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table” (19-21). Here is the Lord breaking bread, giv ing it to the disciples—giving wine to them and saying, “ The one who betrays me is with me here at this table.” Judas was there, receiving the communion from the hand of the Lord and at that time had it pointed out to him that he would be the betrayer of the Lord Jesus. “ And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing” (22, 23). “ It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from
Artist H. Prell’s conception of the blackest deed in history: Judas accepting the thirty pieces of silver for the sale of the Lord Jesus Christ.
*Pastor of the Maran-atha Taber nacle. Darby, Pa.
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