A PORTRAIT OF HUMAN HEARTS – JUDAS ISCARIOT

One the most perplexing questions we can have as a Christian is, “WHY DID JUDAS ISCARIOT CHOOSE TO BETRAY THE LORD JESUS?” He was with the LORD for a long time. He heard with his own ears, all what the LORD Jesus spoke. He saw with his very own eyes, all what the LORD Jesus had done. He certainly was not ignorant about the prophecies concerning the promised Messiah, in the Scriptures. Yet, he chose to sell his Rabbi – Master – Teacher? 

Traditionally, Wednesday, in the Passion Week is called the “Silent Wednesday” or the “Spy Wednesday” because of Judas Iscariot. He went to the High Priest on his own, and offered his services to sell his Rabbi – Master – Teacher, for money or some gift. The Scriptures suggest Judas went on his own free will, and was not contacted by anyone. 
– ” 14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. 16 So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.” – Matthew 26:14-16

Judas Iscariot was chosen by the LORD Jesus Himself to be one of the apostles and the disciple. Judas was used by God, is what the Scriptures record.
– “13 And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. 14 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, 15 and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: 16 Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter; 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”; 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; 19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.” – Mark 3:13-19

The LORD Jesus gave Judas Iscariot the position, the power and the gift of driving the evil spirits away.
– “​1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.” – Matthew 10:1-4

Strange as it may seem, nothing seems to have rubbed off onto Judas Iscariot. He heard the words of Jesus; saw the miracles Jesus did; he himself was empowered by the LORD Jesus to work miracles; yet Judas Iscariot was never one of those who belonged to the LORD Jesus, and the kingdom of God. What a strange thing it is. What a tragedy it certainly is.

When we look at all what had transpired during the last few weeks of the LORD Jesus’ earthly ministry, we get a clearer picture about Judas Iscariot, the religious leadership of Jews, and evil in their hearts. Judas Iscariot, just like the chief priests and the scribes, were people who never belonged to YAHWEH. They were never God’s chosen people. They were evil to the very core. They were agents of Lucifer, doing his evil bidding willingly and gladly. They never ever were the children of God.
– “​1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. 4 So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.” – Luke 22:1-6

A few lessons to learn for us this morning, from the life of Judas Iscariot. The life of Judas Iscariot is A PORTRAIT of the evil and the darkness in the HUMAN HEARTS.
– One can be closely associated with all the activities that are generally called “Christian” yet be absolutely far far away from the LORD Jesus Christ Himself.
– One can do wonders and miracles in the name of the LORD Jesus, yet never ever be one of His Chosen Children.
– One can hold great and significant positions of power and authority in the Church and the Christian ministry, yet never be at any point of time, the ambassadors of the LORD Jesus, but are all along, the agents of Satan, working for him with their heart, soul and mind.
– One may call the LORD Jesus their Master, yet be actually the faithful and obedient disciple of the Evil One, the Fallen Angel, Lucifer, the god of this world, and the Prince of Darkness.

Let us pause for a while this morning, and take a hard and deep look into our own hearts, this morning. Do we find the LORD Jesus in our hearts? Or, do we find Beelzebub in our hearts. Our actions speak loud and clear about the state of our hearts, and its intent. Let us deceive ourselves – Judas Iscariot was never a child of God; so could any one of us be. Therefore, let us earnestly and wholeheartedly seek the LORD to help us to live for Him and Him alone, and be truly His child and His ambassador. Even so, the LORD help us.