Not One of His — The Sad Story of Judas Iscariot

It’s such a terrible shock when it’s found out that a person we thought was faithful to the Lord, gets involved in the wrong things and turns his back to the cause of Christ. Sometimes we even suspect they are not saved.

It is even more surprising when it was one that was even involved in a ministry. It does happen. This happened to our Lord himself. One that walked with him, talked with Him, and even heard the best preaching ever, turned on Him and was even used to have Jesus killed. Here is what the Bible reveals about Judas Iscariot.

•  He was one of the 12 apostles.
  Matthew 10:2 “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.”
• There were signs of worldliness in Judas life. Sin took a hold of him. John 12: 3 “Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4 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.”
• Satan used Judas. One sin lead to others. Most likely, Judas was not even saved, as the devil got access to his heart to use him against Jesus. John 13:1 “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;”
• Judas sold out our Saviour. His early sin of coveting money, lead to stealing, and later it lead to assisting in murder.
  Matthew 26:14 “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.” Matthew 26: 47 “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.”
• Judas got no satisfaction from sin. It lead to him killing himself. Sin never fulfills, it always desires more.
  Matthew27:3 “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.”

Here is a man that had some of the best opportunities to live for and to serve the Lord. Sin crept in, and as it usually does, and led to committing others. The sad conclusion is that this man became an enemy of God and tried to destroy Jesus and His ministry on Earth. How grieved Judas was when he came to himself and realized what He had done.

This same scenario has been echoed millions of times in the past. It can happen to the best: preachers, teachers, church bus drivers, and song leaders. No one is exempt from the strangle hold of sin. Sin has a terrible price tag and will cost more than anyone ever wants to pay. The only safety is not to let “a little sin,” get its roots in our lives. Flee and fear what could destroy your life — sin.