Lesson 249 - Junior

Memory Verse

"Woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed!" (Mark 14:21).

Notes

An Apostle

Among those chosen to be Jesus' disciples was a man by the name of Judas Iscariot. We do not know any-thing about his life before he was a disciple. The name of Judas' father was Simon [JHN:6:71]). When Jesus called men to follow Him, He did not inquire whether their parents were godly or if they had been given a religious training.

Today, the Gospel call is the same and goes forth to all. It is not necessary to have a praying family and a knowledge of the Bible in order to receive the call of God. The Lord calls those who know nothing about the Bible and prayer as well as those who have come from Christian homes. "And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" [REV:22:17]). "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him" [REV:3:20]).

The way in which Judas answered the call of Christ is not recorded in the Bible. There is no reason to believe that Judas' call was any different from that of the other disciples. Judas was among the twelve disciples who were chosen to be Apostles. Jesus called them apart from the other disciples and "they came unto him" [MAK:3:13]). Judas responded to the call, and was ordained, with the other eleven, to be with Jesus and to go forth to preach the Gospel.

Jesus told His disciples: "Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved: [MAT:10:22]). Judas heard Jesus tell what He required of His disciples: "Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple" [LUK:14:27]). Judas was numbered among those Apostles who went out to preach "that men should repent." Judas was one of the twelve Apostles who "cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them" [MAK:6:12];[MAK:6:13]).

The Bag-Bearer

There were times when Jesus sent the disciples to buy food, like the time in Samaria when Jesus was entrusted with the moneybag for the Apostles [JHN:13:29]). He held the position of what we call the treasurer. Judas was responsible for the purse, and he carried the money that the Apostles had.

Judas had heard the warnings that Jesus had given. When the twelve Apostles asked Jesus to explain the parable of the sower, they were told that, "the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word" and cause one to be unfruitful [MAT:13:22]). Jesus told them about the rich fool whose soul was required of him before he had time to take his ease, to eat, to drink, and to be merry. Jesus said, "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God" [LUK:12:21]).

Judas did not take heed to the warnings that he had heard. He became selfish, and objected when Mary anointed Jesus with a pound of ointment of costly spikenard. Jesus said: "Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?" [JHN:12:4-5]). Jesus answered: "Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could" [MAK:14:6-8]).

Judas spoke with deceit and hypocrisy, from a heart that was covetous. He had considered the ointment, but not for the benefit of the poor. Judas was not concerned about the poor. He did not have compassion on them. He had become greedy and dishonest [JHN:12:6]).

Selling Christ

The Chief priests did not go to Judas to try to persuade him to enter into their plan. It was Satan who caused Judas to scheme against Jesus and to go to the chief priests [LUK:22:3-4]). He did not go to volunteer to witness against Jesus, although they wanted evidence against Christ. Judas did worse than that " he sold Jesus to them.

Love of Money

Judas was not in need. It was not a lack of money that caused Judas to bargain with the chief priests. It must have been a love of money that caused him to betray Christ. Judas offered to deliver Christ into their hands. No doubt. Judas hoped to receive money. The Bible tells us that "the love of money is the root of all evil" [1TM:6:10]).

Judas said, "What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?" They agreed that the price would be thirty pieces of silver, the same price put upon a servant by the Law [EXO:21:32]).

Judas wanted that money " less than twenty Naira "- more than he wanted Christ. People today sometimes let money take first place in their lives rather than love Christ with all their heart. People have been known to exchange Christ for less than twenty Naira, because they let Satan enter into their heart.

If you are not saved, what is standing between you and Christ? What takes first place in your heart instead of Christ? For what are you selling your soul? "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" [MAK:8:36]).

Fear of the People

The chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest to plan how they could take Jesus. Their plot against Jesus was cruel and subtle. They planned by craftiness to kill Him. For fear of the people, they did not dare to take Him as He taught in public, and they did not know where to find Jesus alone. They said they would not take Jesus on the day of the Passover feast, not because they had reverence for the day nor honour for God. Their concern was their own safety, lest, there be an uproar among the people. They wanted to please the people and were not interested in pleasing the Lord.

Judas went to these men who had evil hearts and a plan to murder. He talked to them about how he might betray Christ. Judas was even worse than they had imagined. Little did they think that one of Jesus' followers would help them. They were glad to bargain with Judas when he promised to betray Jesus unto them "in the absence of the multitude."

He, whom Jesus had chosen to be a follower, was willing to enter into the scheme to put Jesus to death. He, who was a disciple, became a traitor. Judas tried to conceal his treachery. He did not openly forsake Christ, at first. He did not say that he no longer was an Apostle, but Judas continued his association with the Apostles. He was with them as they kept the Passover feast with Jesus. Judas gathered with the other Apostles to keep the religious feast while at the same time his heart was wicked. He pretended to be a friend and disciple. He knew the place where Jesus often took His Apostles to pray. He planned to identify Jesus to the multitude from the chief priests, by greeting Jesus with a kiss. Judas gave them a token, saying, "Whosoever I shall kiss, that same is he" [MAK:14:44]).

Opportunity to Sin

All this time he was watching for an opportunity to deliver Jesus to those who sought His life. Judas waited for a time when he might "conveniently betray" Him. Satan had led Judas so far from God that he did not consider what it would mean to him to sin. What a terrible thing for Judas, or anyone else, to seek an opportunity to do evil! Judas planned, sought, and devised to commit sin. One of the prophets said, "Woe to them that devise iniquity" [MIC:2:1]).

Jesus knew that Judas was about to betray Him. During the feast of the Passover, Jesus said, "One of you shall betray me." Jesus knew Judas' intentions and told Judas, "That thou doest, do quickly." Judas left the group and "it was night." It was spiritual darkness as well as physical night for Judas, for Satan had entered into Judas Iscariot. What sad words Jesus spoke when He said that it would have been better for Judas if he had never been born! [MAT:26:24]).

In a Garden

Jesus, with His disciples, went to a garden to pray. It was a place where Jesus had oftentimes taken them, and Judas knew the place [JHN:18:1];[JHN:18:2]). One would think that such a place would be sacred to the disciples. No doubt they had prayed together there and had talked together in sweet fellowship with Jesus. Into this garden, where one would expect peace and quiet, Judas led a band of men who were carrying lanterns and swords. Judas was the guide to those who took Jesus. They came as if they were about to capture a thief " with many men and weapons. They came as if they expected resistance and battle -" prepared to lay hands on Jesus and "hold him fast." Judas stepped forward with the evil kiss and deceitful words. He said, "Hail, master." Judas greeted Jesus with the kiss which betrayed Him into the hands of the wicked; and they led Jesus away. He gave no resistance, but gave Himself willingly to be a Sacrifice for our sins. Jesus told His disciples to put up their swords. He reminded them that He could have had twelve legions of angels from Heaven but He gave Himself that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.

Son of Perdition

When Judas received the thirty pieces of silver, he found no pleasure in the money. Too late he realised what a terrible deed he had committed! Judas "saw that he was condemned." Even to repent and return the money, and to admit that he had betrayed "the innocent blood" did not blot out the guilty conscience. In his remorse, he went out and hanged himself. Judas gained for himself the name of "son of perdition" [JHN:17:12]) which means "child of hell." By Judas' transgression, he went "to his own place" [ACT:1:25]) of utter destruction, misery, and eternal death.

Yielding to Temptation

It was this same Judas who had answered the call of Christ, who had been with Jesus, and who had done well for a while [ACT:1:17]). He started well but he yielded to temptation and permitted Satan to enter into his life. To be saved and to become a follower of Christ is a wonderful experience, but how much greater to be faithful to the end of our lives!

Because a person is saved at one time, does not necessarily mean that he will always be saved. Unless he lives for Jesus and does not permit sin to enter his life he will lose his right to eternal life [EZE:18:26]). There is power in the Blood of Jesus to save, and to keep, if a person wants to be kept in the Lord.

Resisting Temptation

Judas was not the only person who has been tempted. Judas' sin was his yielding to the temptation. What can a person do to resist temptation when it comes to him? Jesus gave us an example. Satan tried to tempt even Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus used the Word of God to resist Satan. Jesus said, "It is written," and He quoted the Bible [MAT:4:4];[MAT:4:7];[MAT:4:10]). We, too, can have victory over Satan by the Word of God. If we obey Jesus and keep His Word, we can expect Jesus to keep us in the time of temptation. We read: "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth" [REV:3:10]).

The Lord has not promised to keep temptation from us, but He had promised to make a way out of temptation. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" [1CO:10:13]).

When Satan comes to tempt you, resist him by the Word of God; ask the Lord to help you; and commit yourself "unto him that is able to keep you from falling" (Jude 24). By continued prayer and consecration, by watching and heeding the warnings, we can live a life that is faithful to Christ. We can live, by the grace of God, so that we shall be able to say with Paul, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" [2TM:4:7]).

Questions

1. Who was Judas Iscariot?

2. How many Apostles did Jesus choose?

3. Who carried the purse for the Apostles?

4. Why did Judas want to sell the ointment of spikenard?

5. What happened when Satan entered into Judas?

6. Why did Judas go to the chief priests?

7. Why did they not take Jesus as He taught the people?

8. How much money was Judas to receive?

9. How was Jesus betrayed?

10. How can one resist temptation?