Judas Iscariot

Temple Baptist Church - 2-15-2023

John 6:64-71

 

Introduction:

 

A. I have said that I was through with John, chapter 6, but I do want to take one more night on the chapter.

 

1. I want to look at the life of a man named Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

 

2. Some theologians believe that Judas Iscariot will be resurrected during the Tribulation Period as Satan incarnate, Antichrist. I reject this teaching as its foundation is presumption, not biblical fact and I will not take the time tonight to refute this teaching.

 

B. In verse 67, Jesus asked the question to each of the disciples as leaving the Lord would be the individual’s choice, not the Apostles choice as a group.

 

C. Peter chose to answer for all the Apostles when he answered, “to whom shall WE go?” I will call this answer one of Confidence instead of individual Choice.

 

D. In verses 70-71, we find the Lord’s gentle Correction, as not all the Apostles were saved. “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?”  Not simply a lost man but a devil!

 

E. Verse 71 was not spoken out loud to the Apostles by our Lord, but recorded for us a biblical identification of who the “devil” was, Judas Iscariot the son of Simon (Simeon).

 

F. I believe that it is recorded for two reasons:

 

1. Prophetic of the Lord’s betrayal and the man Satan used in the process.

 

2. To allow us who would read this 2,000 years later to realizes that Christ Jesus, God in the flesh, was not deceived as He is omniscient.

 

3. Two prophecies concerning the Messiah’s betrayal.

 

a) The Person of Betrayal. Psalms 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

 

b) The Price of Betrayal. Zechariah 11:12 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.

 

G. Judas’ silence when Peter included him in allegiance to Christ was hypocritical on his part.

 

H. Judas Iscariot (Judas – this is the Greek rendering of Judah in the Old Testament, which means Praise, the son of Leah. Iscariot speaks of where Judas was from, probably Judea. Possibly only Judas was from Judea and the rest of the Apostles were from Galilee.

 

1. Judas was chosen by Christ to betray Him. As the Lord chose Pharoah, knowing what he was, He also chose Judas for what he was. This is not Calvinism, it is omniscience.

 

John 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

 

2. Judas was given the same power by Christ to rebuke unclean spirits and heal.

 

Matthew 10:1-4 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. (2) Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The 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 publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; (4) Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

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3. Judas was given the same “level playing field” as the other apostles as he spent three ½ years walking with the Lord on this earth.

 

a. Judas ate with Christ while he saw Him feed the thousands with a little lad’s lunch.

 

b. Judas observed the miracles of Christ from the Wedding at Cana until his death.

 

c. Judas watched Jesus as He raised the dead, made the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dumb talk, the blind see, the lepers cleansed.

 

d. Judas watched as Jesus walked upon the sea, command the wind and waves, and stilled the storm. Power and authority beyond human comprehension.

 

e. Judas heard Christ preach and teach the Word of God. The greatest teacher (Rabbi, Rabbi), who ever lived. He sat and listened to the greatest message ever taught, the Sermon on the Mount.

 

f. Judas heard Him pray often. I cannot imagine listening to the Son of God talk with the heavenly Father.

 

g. Judas scrutinized Jesus’ life and declared, “I have betrayed the innocent blood.” No charge ever laid upon Jesus Christ was proven.

 

4. Judas was entrusted with the bag, what we would call a “Treasurer”, though he was a thief.

 

John 12:4-6 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, (5) Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? (6) This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

 

5. Judas sealed his own fate shortly after the Lord’s rebuke when Mary anointed the feet of the Lord. John 13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;

 

6. Judas was condemned and found no space for repentance. Luke 22:3-6 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. (4) And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. (5) And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. (6) And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

 

7. Judas could have broken that covenant but continued with Christ looking for opportunity to betray Him. Matthew 26:14-16 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, (15) 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. (16) And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

 

8. Judas kissed heaven’s Door and the Lord called him “Friend.” Matthew 26:47-50 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. (48) Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. (49) And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. (50) And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

 

9. Judas repented himself as did Esau but no repentance from sin. Matthew 27:3-5 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, (4) Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. (5) And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

 

10. Judas was chosen of God as an Apostle but still died lost and went to hell. Acts 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

 

Conclusion: Judas Iscariot was a man given many opportunities to repent and be saved but, by his own volition, died a sinner’s death and realized an eternity in hell that would follow.