Why would Jesus solemnly declare it would have been better if one of his own disciples had never been born? What could prompt the loving son of God to utter something so stark and severe about Judas Iscariot, one of his twelve closest followers? As we explore Judas's premeditated betrayal, his forfeiture of intimacy through trust, and Christ's foresight of eternal consequences, we begin to grasp the profound gravity of this disciple's offence.
This was no simple mistake or momentary lapse of judgment. Judas'calculated scheming represented an outright rejection of Jesus'identity as son of God and submission to the forces of darkness. Instead, the spiritual and relational implications reverberate through history down to this day.
Now we start to understand why Jesus mourned over the terrifying, irreversible fate awaiting Judas for playing his tragic role as betrayer of the savior. As Christ awaited arrest and death, he could see farther down the corridor of time, he discerned the coming cosmic tragedy as one intimate companion turned irreversibly from the light that had dawned among them. Indeed, this betrayal cut through soul and spirit in ways defying human expression.
Yet the scripture calls us to peer bravely into these dreadful events as a sobering reminder that denial of Christ yields only destruction and despair. Let us then turn our ears to hear what the spirit says through Christ's words over Judas. May our eyes be opened through today's passage to renounce all hints of darkness and cling fervently to the one who is the way, the truth and the life.
In Matthew 26 we read about the moment when Judas betrays Jesus to the religious authorities for 30 pieces of silver. After Judas leaves to carry out his betrayal, Jesus says, the Son of man indeed goes just as it is written of him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed.
It would have been good for that man if he had not been born. Matthew 26 24 these are incredibly harsh and solemn words. Why would Jesus say something so severe about Judas'betrayal?
For several reasons, Christ's solemn and severe pronouncement about Judas alarms us. Why would the loving, compassionate son of God say something so harsh? To understand this, we must comprehend what Judas'betrayal meant to Jesus and how grievous its spiritual consequences are.
First, Judas'betrayal was intensely painful for Christ emotionally. Despite knowing it had to happen, Jesus still felt the sting of having a close friend conspire against him. Even perfect God man, Jesus had human emotions that suffered.
Psalm 55 gives insight into this pain as David cries out, for it is not an enemy who reproaches me, then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me, who has exalted himself against me. Then I could hide from him.
But it was you, a man, my equal, my companion, and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together and walked to the house of God in the throng. Psalm 50 512 14 though necessary, Judas's betrayal nonetheless inflicted emotional wounding.
Additionally, Judas's betrayal meant Jesus had to endure rejection from those closest to him. Christ came unto his own, but his own did not receive him. John 111 despite investing himself in the disciples, one of them ultimately turned against him, despising all he offered.
The rejection was bitter as Jesus stood on trial, about to be sentenced to torture and death. It was excruciating knowing that one of his dearest friends put him there. Most importantly, Judas'betrayal led to disastrous spiritual consequences for both Judas and those he influenced.
Not only did Judas lose his own soul, but his scheming advanced the plot to kill the long awaited Messiah. Like the serpent in Eden, Judas facilitated history's most catastrophic sin, the murder of the son of God. The spiritual implications reverberated through time and eternity, impacting all future generations.
No wonder Jesus declared, such a terrifying fate awaited the man who made this horror possible. Recognizing the emotional, relational, and spiritual gravity of Judas'offence, we better understand the necessity of Christ's solemn words. They underline the fearsome consequences of resisting God's will to instead side with evil consequences, impacting ourselves, others, and eternity.
Secondly, because Judas'betrayal was premeditated and cold blooded, the gospel writers explicitly state that Judas did not suddenly decide to betray Jesus in a moment of confusion or weakness. Rather, the betrayal was premeditated. Judas consciously planned and calculated how to betray the Lord.
We see this in how Judas deliberately waited for an opportune time to hand Jesus over to avoid public riot or uproar. Luke 22 six reads, so he promised and sought opportunity to betray him to them. In the absence of the multitude, Judas purposefully watched for the perfect chance to covertly arrest Jesus without public disturbance or resistance.
His scheming reveals deliberate strategic planning to betray Christ. Additionally, John twelve shows how Judas's heart had already turned against Jesus well before the betrayal was carried out. Upon seeing Mary anoint Jesus's feet with perfume that could have been sold to help the poor, John writes, but Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples who was intending to betray him, said, why was this perfume not sold for 300 danari and given to poor people?
John twelve four six. Judas had already resolved to betray Jesus. He just needed the right timing.
His objection to Mary's sacrificial gift for Christ stemmed from underlying greed and rejection of Jesus's lordship. This was no mere slip up or accident. Judas's betrayal was the culmination of conscious determination to hand Jesus over to condemnation and crucifixion.
His pursuit of payment in exchange for the life of God's son also shows cold, mercenary calculation. 30 pieces of silver mattered more to Judas than loyalty to the master he had accompanied for years. This ultimate treachery from an inner circle disciple warranted Jesus'pronouncement of coming catastrophe for Judas due to his resolute rebellion and hardness of heart.
Thirdly, because Judas was a friend who betrayed trust, not only was the betrayal premeditated, but Judas was considered a close friend and disciple who had been with Jesus for years. Jesus'solemn words also stem from the immense personal betrayal enacted by Judas. Rather than an enemy or stranger turning against him, it was someone considered an intimate friend and trusted follower.
Judas had journeyed alongside Jesus for years, witnessing miracle after miracle, testifying to Christ's divinity, Judas saw the clear evidence day in and day out that Jesus was the foretold messiah. Yet he ultimately rejected this truth, betraying not just Jesus'physical body but his very identity and mission. Additionally, Judas shared table fellowship with Jesus countless times.
They ate together, traveled together, prayed together as companions for Christ's entire earthly ministry. The psalmist wrote, even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. Psalm 41 nine a prophecy fulfilled in Judas's kiss of betrayal.
After spending so much intimate time with Jesus, the betrayal cut especially deep, warranting Jesus's severe pronouncement. The piercing betrayal came through breaking of bread, the sign of friendship and unity. Moreover, it was Judas'kiss that secretly identified Jesus.
To the arresting officers, the kiss was normally a sign of affection, respect and love. Yet Judas warped this expression of intimacy and connection into the ultimate sign of betrayal. As one trusted as a friend, Judas had the opportunity to enact betrayal more painfully than any enemy could have.
The forfeiture of intimate friendship provided by the son of God himself amplified the horrific nature of Judas'scheming. Though Jesus loved Judas to the end, Judas ultimately rejected that love. This warrants the terrible fate Jesus foretells for him.
Fourthly, because Jesus knew the terrible fate awaiting Judas. While we do not know exactly what happens after death to someone like Judas, Jesus himself declared that there awaits an awful fate for the one who betrays the Son of God. Undergirding Christ's sombre words is his foreknowledge of the calamitous destiny awaiting Judas for this treason.
As the omniscient son of God, Jesus perceives all of time, past, present and future in ways we can only faintly grasp. He knows the final outcome and eternal consequence for Judas's demonic betrayal. While scripture does not give specifics about Judas's experience after death, Christ hints at a dreadful eternal destiny for Judas, one that makes never having been born preferable.
Mark 1421 records the son of man indeed goes just as it is written of him. But woe to that man by whom the son of man is betrayed. It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.
Therefore we understand irreversible, everlasting doom and misery will be Judas'lot for rejecting God's son and delivering him up to death. Jesus says it would have been good if Judas had never been born. Existence itself becomes a curse for Judas rather than a blessing.
This implies he forfeits any chance of redemption or hope. Once in eternity, Judas will be forever ruined the day he sold Jesus for silver. Immense, unending suffering awaits rather than heavenly peace and rest for those who believe.
Indeed, for Judas, temporary earthly pleasure in greed led to eternal torment, far exceeding the despair of non existence. His fate underscores the hazards of defiant rebellion against God's redeeming plan. Judas serves as a timely warning that while on earth we still can turn from ruinous paths.
But if we spurn mercy to the end, ruin shall be inescapable. Just as Judas marched deliberately to his doom, Christ wants to turn our feet toward eternal life. Instead, the words Jesus uttered underline the gravity of Judas'offence.
When we grasp the premeditation, the betrayal of friendship and the eternally terrible consequences, we understand why Jesus said it would have been better if one of his own disciples had never been born. Let us examine our own hearts today to root out and renounce any hints of betrayal before God. As we close our solemn meditation today, Christ's heavy words over Judas iscariot continue echoing through our hearts.
While we may never fully grasp the cosmic gravity in this scene of betrayal, nonetheless it calls for our prayerful attention. Just as Peter wept bitterly over his three fold denial, let us not shy away from godly sorrow over the implications of such rebellion against God's anointed one. Yes, Jesus knew all along that he must suffer and die as part of God's redemptive plan.
But this does not dilute the heinousness of Judas'offence or remove responsibility from those who handed Jesus over, pressed the crown of thorns onto his brow, nailed him to the wooden cross. Scripture compels us to ponder these horrors in order to renounce any vestiges of partnership with the cruel forces that crucified earth's one true hope. As we move from today toward our eternal destiny, will we align with Judas through rejection of Christ, or with mary through extravagant worship at his feet?
The choice awaits all who hear the gospel invitation. Jesus desires that we embrace him as the resurrected king now and forever. Then we too will participate in the joyous psalm 16 promises, in your presence is fullness of joy.
At your right hand are pleasures forevermore let us confess together. You alone hold the words of eternity.
