As we continue our reflection on the responsibility and accountability of the sent (John 20:21-23), let’s consider the sad end of an infamous ambassador of Christ: the betrayer, Judas Iscariot.
Iscariot was neither a fake nor a fraud. He was a bonafide disciple of Jesus. But he was also a selfish and self-serving man. And as Reverend Courtney shared with us on this past Sunday, “the life lived for self is a very small life”— a life stunted in its spiritual growth, stunted in accomplishments, and stunted in years. In other words, the devil takes selfish people and makes sure that they never fulfill their calling. Like Iscariot, their brief moments of ministry accomplishments are subsumed by their overarching penchant for disobedience and selfish gain.
Why did Jesus permit Judas Iscariot to retain his share in the ministry?
The following passages show us that Iscariot was granted a share in the ministry, and his share was never revoked. For the sake of context, here are the two passages of Scripture that discuss the concept of share.
Just before the Passover feast, Jesus knew that his time had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now loved them to the very end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, that he should betray Jesus. Because Jesus knew that the Father had handed all things over to him, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, he got up from the meal, removed his outer clothes, took a towel and tied it around himself. He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel he had wrapped around himself. Then he came to Simon Peter. Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not understand what I am doing now, but you will understand after these things.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” (John 13:1-8)
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty people) and said, “Brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through David concerning Judas – who became the guide for those who arrested Jesus – for he was counted as one of us and received a share in this ministry.” (Acts 1:15-17)
Here is what some of us would like to have read: “Jesus and His disciples held a board meeting. They confronted Judas Iscariot, chastising him for his embezzlement of funds and his collusion with corrupt priests. They dismissed him from his ministry position, and began the process of launching a lawsuit to attempt to recoup the money that Judas had stolen.” Friends, that is what we might be inclined to do… but that is not what Jesus did.
Jesus, in granting Judas Iscariot a share in the ministry, "kissed" him. The kiss Jesus gave to Judas was not physical, but was a spiritual act of grace. How gracious was our Lord? So gracious that He lovingly gave a spectacular gift to a man who had already determined to betray Him.
Behold the accounting: “Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin.” Judas, it’s over: you are destined for hell. You ignored My teachings. You chose to love your sin more than My salvation. But even though you have betrayed Me, I still love you! I cannot return your life to you, but I will give you one last gift: you will always be counted as a disciple of Mine. You have aligned yourself with Satan; your selfishness has destroyed your soul. But I will wash your feet and serve you your last meal—a meal that celebrates your culture, a meal that celebrates My passion. Messiah has come and you have given Him second place behind yourself. But I still choose to show you My love. Though the devil has consumed your heart, he will never consume your share in the ministry. I choose to allow you to die with your ministry position intact.
What kind of love is this? It is absolute, astounding, amazing passion.
What was Judas Iscariot’s response to this spiritual kiss of grace? A physical kiss of betrayal. And in the greatest instance of irony, Judas’s kiss--- intended to hand over Jesus to death-- turned and hurled Judas himself into hell.
Jesus is kissing you. What will you do?
Kiss the Son! Otherwise he will be angry, and you will die because of your behavior, when his anger quickly ignites. How blessed are all who take shelter in him! (Psalm 2:12)
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