The Desire of Ages--76--Judas

[Richard Myers]

Amen and amen!! It is such a blessing to come into unity of doctrine with my fellow church members!! May others join with us as we continue to grow in our understanding of our God and the plan of salvation!

[Beacon]

"All the little and large troubles and crosses, the difficulties and the apparent hindrances to the advancement of the gospel, Judas interpreted as evidences against its truthfulness..

He would introduce texts of Scripture that had no connection with the truths Christ was presenting.

These texts, separated from their connection, perplexed the disciples, and increased the discouragement that was constantly pressing upon them. Yet all this was done by Judas in such a way as to make it appear that he was conscientious. And while the disciples were searching for evidence to confirm the words of the Great Teacher,

Judas would lead them almost imperceptibly on another track.

Thus in a very religious, and apparently wise, way he was presenting matters in a different light from that in which Jesus had given them, and attaching to His words a meaning that He had not conveyed. His suggestions were constantly exciting an ambitious desire for temporal preferment, and thus turning the disciples from the important things they should have considered. The dissension as to which of them should be greatest was generally excited by Judas."

This points out how careful we should be when we become aware of those within our church family who seemingly are going in the wrong direction of interpretation. Jesus was very merciful and long suffering with Judas as He has been with all of us. Let us endeavor to follow the example of Jesus and seek His wisdom in all our  interactions with our church family, remembering how often we have had to kneel at the foot of the cross and seek forgiveness and restoration.   

[Dorine]

"Christ's oft-repeated statement that His kingdom was not of this world offended Judas. He had marked out a line upon which he expected Christ to work."

I'm afraid that attitude did not end with Judas. Instead allowing God to use us as He knows best there are those who want to pour God into their mold. May the story of Judas cause us to search our hearts earnestly to see if there be any wicked motives in us.

[Philip T]

     A little before the Passover, Judas had renewed his contract with the priests to deliver Jesus into their hands. Then it was arranged that the Saviour should be taken at one of His resorts for meditation and prayer. Since the feast at the house of Simon, Judas had had opportunity to reflect upon the deed which he had covenanted to perform, but his purpose was unchanged. For thirty pieces of silver--the price of a slave--he sold the Lord of glory to ignominy and death.   
     Judas had naturally a strong love for money; but he had not always been corrupt enough to do such a deed as this. He had fostered the evil spirit of avarice until it had become the ruling motive of his life. The love of mammon overbalanced his love for Christ. Through becoming the slave of one vice he gave himself to Satan, to be driven to any lengths in sin.

This spoke to me this morning or how cherished sins can work in ones life, and slowly be used by Satan to place a wedge between us and Christ, resulting in larger and larger sins until we are lost, and is shock at the sins we have been lead to. We need to surrender all to Christ, and allow him to lead in our lives.  To cherish one sin can lead to a multitude of sins in our lives.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon, Sister Dorine, and Brother Philip!

We need to realize and experience Christ's true character in how we treat even those that despitefully use us and turn from the invitation of mercy. Jesus did all He could to save Judas, but did not force His will. Christ's life was a continual example of saving faith; Judas' life became an example of unbelief. "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief" (Hebrews 4:11). So, as we seek to point souls to Christ, we are not to manifest harsh, rude traits of character, but consistently manifest the fruits of the Spirit without one missing by having Christ abiding in us, the hope of glory!

"Judas now cast himself at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging Him to be the Son of God, and entreating Him to deliver Himself. The Saviour did not reproach His betrayer. He knew that Judas did not repent; his confession was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a looking for of judgment, but he felt no deep, heartbreaking grief that he had betrayed the spotless Son of God, and denied the Holy One of Israel. Yet Jesus spoke no word of condemnation. He looked pityingly upon Judas, and said, For this hour came I into the world." {The Desire of Ages, page 722, paragraph 2} 

Because Jesus loved Judas He treated him with love all the way to the end. It was Judas that chose to do the base deed of betraying Jesus for money. Let us realize that the struggles with sin we may go through are not caused by Jesus, but are the result of our own fallen nature that needs to be crucified with Christ, so He may abide in the heart renewed by grace continually.

[Richard Myers]

These texts, separated from their connection, perplexed the disciples, and increased the discouragement that was constantly pressing upon them. Yet all this was done by Judas in such a way as to make it appear that he was conscientious. And while the disciples were searching for evidence to confirm the words of the Great Teacher, Judas would lead them almost imperceptibly on another track.

.

Where did we first see this method of operation? In heaven. No wonder why the disciples had such difficulty with seeing the truth. Praise God the truth about Judas has been opened for the world to see. And such love that Jesus had for him, even after he had passed the line of no return.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). This is where the battle takes place in the great controversy between Christ and Satan. In our thoughts we choose either the word of God and the kingdom of heaven it presents, or we choose our own thoughts and ways that lead in the path of death. May we learn from the life of Judas the need to bring every thought captive to Christ.

"Christ's oft-repeated statement that His kingdom was not of this world offended Judas. He had marked out a line upon which he expected Christ to work. He had planned that John the Baptist should be delivered from prison. But lo, John was left to be beheaded. And Jesus, instead of asserting His royal right and avenging the death of John, retired with His disciples into a country place. Judas wanted more aggressive warfare. He thought that if Jesus would not prevent the disciples from carrying out their schemes, the work would be more successful. He marked the increasing enmity of the Jewish leaders, and saw their challenge unheeded when they demanded from Christ a sign from heaven. His heart was open to unbelief, and the enemy supplied thoughts of questioning and rebellion. Why did Jesus dwell so much upon that which was discouraging? Why did He predict trial and persecution for Himself and for His disciples? The prospect of having a high place in the new kingdom had led Judas to espouse the cause of Christ. Were his hopes to be disappointed? Judas had not decided that Jesus was not the Son of God; but he was questioning, and seeking to find some explanation of His mighty works." {The Desire of Ages, page 718, paragraph 1}

If we trust God's word even when we do not fully understand everything, and by faith go forward in harmony with His divine ideal, our characters will come under the divine molding of the Holy Spirit as we surrender FULLy to Jesus. Judas never FULLY surrendered himself to Christ, and it was because of this that he made shipwreck of faith. Let us choose the path of eternal life by constant surrender to Christ of all we have and are, so His will may be done in and through us!

[Beacon]

"Even after he had twice pledged himself to betray the Saviour, there was opportunity for repentance."

"At the Passover supper Jesus proved His divinity by revealing the traitor's purpose.

He tenderly included Judas in the ministry to the disciples. But the last appeal of love was unheeded.

Then the case of Judas was decided, and the feet that Jesus had washed went forth to the betrayer's work."

"What tender long suffering mercy was shown to Judas. Jesus longed for him to see the direction his life was taking him. He did not want Judas to lose out on eternal life and today Jesus is showing each one of us the same love and long suffering.

Will we learn from this story and confess our great need of the saving grace of Jesus while there is yet time to do so?"

Matthew 6:24 (AMP )   “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord).

[Dorine]

"Judas now cast himself at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging Him to be the Son of God, and entreating Him to deliver Himself. The Saviour did not reproach His betrayer. He knew that Judas did not repent; his confession was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a looking for of judgment, but he felt no deep, heartbreaking grief that he had betrayed the spotless Son of God, and denied the Holy One of Israel. Yet Jesus spoke no word of condemnation. He looked pityingly upon Judas, and said, For this hour came I into the world."

This part of the story really struck me this morning. There is a true confession that Christ accepts and then there is a counterfeit confession that we see in Judas. As is pointed out, his confession came from a fear of the penalty he would receive and not from a deep heart sorrow for betraying the Son of God.   Notice the love and pity of Jesus as He looks upon Judas. That look melted Peter into a heart wrenching sorrow for bringing such torture to His best friend. Poor Judas was also in agony over his actions but his motive was purely selfish. It matters not how eloquent we are, how intelligent, how popular, talented or pious, Jesus sees the heart and nothing is hid from Him.

[Philip T]

  Judas had joined the disciples when multitudes were following Christ. The Saviour's teaching moved their hearts as they hung entranced upon His words, spoken in the synagogue, by the seaside, upon the mount. Judas saw the sick, the lame, the blind, flock to Jesus from the towns and cities. He saw the dying laid at His feet. He witnessed the Saviour's mighty works in healing the sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead. He felt in his own person the evidence of Christ's power. He recognized the teaching of Christ as superior to all that he had ever heard. He loved the Great Teacher, and desired to be with Him. He felt a desire to be changed in character and life, and he hoped to experience this through connecting himself with Jesus. The Saviour did not repulse Judas. He gave him a place among the twelve. He trusted him to do the work of an evangelist. He endowed him with power to heal the sick and to cast out devils. But Judas did not come to the point of surrendering himself fully to Christ. He did not give up his worldly ambition or his love of money. While he accepted the position of a minister of Christ, he did not bring himself under the divine molding. He felt that he could retain his own judgment and opinions, and he cultivated a disposition to criticize and accuse.

What a statement is made in this paragraph, Judas professed to follow Christ, he was blessed by Christ to help in His work, he loved Jesus, he felt the pricking of the Holy Ghost to change and allow Jesus to complete the work He had begun in him, yet he would not surrender himself totally to Jesus. So he lesson is learned just a profession of faith is not enough, we need to surrender our hearts totally and completely to Jesus. Allow the Holy Spirt to convict our heart, and then surrender our sins to God and by faith believe Jesus blood has washed away for sins, and taken our old coad of sin and replaced it with a new coat of righteousness. 

[Richard Myers]

The story of Judas is repeated that we might better understand the results of sin. It was not the intent of Judas to see Jesus die. He wanted to help put Him on His throne. This to Judas was not a betrayal. He wanted to help Jesus obtain the throne.

  Judas beheld the captors of Christ, acting upon his words, bind Him firmly. In amazement he saw that the Saviour suffered Himself to be led away. Anxiously he followed Him from the garden to the trial before the Jewish rulers. At every movement he looked for Him to surprise His enemies, by appearing before them as the Son of God, and setting at nought all their plots and power. But as hour after hour went by, and Jesus submitted to all the abuse heaped upon Him, a terrible fear came to the traitor that he had sold his Master to His death.   

This was not his desire. Yet, what he did reveals he was  not really working for Jesus, but for his own glory. He wanted to be first next to Jesus. What is our motive? If it is for self, then we are still selfish and need to be converted.

[Beacon]

"Even after he,Judas, had twice pledged himself to betray the Saviour, there was opportunity for repentance."

"He tenderly included Judas in the ministry to the disciples. But the last appeal of love was unheeded".

Then the case of Judas was decided, and the feet that Jesus had washed went forth to the betrayer's work."

"What tender long suffering mercy was shown to Judas. Jesus longed for him to see the direction his life was taking him. He did not want Judas to lose out on eternal life and today...

Jesus is showing each one of us the same love and long suffering".

Will we learn from this story and confess our great need of the saving grace of Jesus while there is yet time to do so?"

Matthew 6:24 (AMP )   “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord).

[Dorine]

"Judas now cast himself at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging Him to be the Son of God, and entreating Him to deliver Himself. The Saviour did not reproach His betrayer. He knew that Judas did not repent; his confession was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a looking for of judgment, but he felt no deep, heartbreaking grief that he had betrayed the spotless Son of God, and denied the Holy One of Israel. Yet Jesus spoke no word of condemnation. He looked pityingly upon Judas, and said, For this hour came I into the world."

How important the motives of our heart are. Man can not see them but God can. That is why man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart. Judas was respected and looked up to and trusted to be loyal and true but was actually motivated by Satan. It shows the dangers in believing and following man. We must always make decisions upon a 'thus sayeth the Lord'. Again I am impressed and my heart melted with the reaction of Jesus. Not a word of condemnation just a heart of pity. That's our Jesus, our friend, our Saviour.

[Philip T]

Amen Brother Bacon and Sister Dorine.

  Judas had naturally a strong love for money; but he had not always been corrupt enough to do such a deed as this. He had fostered the evil spirit of avarice until it had become the ruling motive of his life. The love of mammon overbalanced his love for Christ. Through becoming the slave of one vice he gave himself to Satan, to be driven to any lengths in sin. [/b]

As I read this paragraph my mind remembered a paragraph from the Book Patriarchs and Prophets comparing Balaam and Judas character's so I have enclosed it here:

    The fate of Balaam was similar to that of Judas, and their characters bear a marked resemblance to each other. Both these men tried to unite the service of God and mammon, and met with signal failure. Balaam acknowledged the true God, and professed to serve Him ; Judas believed in Jesus as the Messiah, and united with His followers. But Balaam hoped to make the service of Jehovah the steppingstone to the acquirement of riches and worldly honor; and failing in this he stumbled and fell and was broken. Judas expected by his connection with Christ to secure wealth and promotion in that worldly kingdom which, as he believed, the Messiah was about to set up. The failure of his hopes drove him to apostasy and ruin. Both Balaam and Judas had received great light and enjoyed special privileges, but a single cherished sin poisoned the entire character and caused their destruction.

One treasured sin can lead to the 2nd death, as it allows Satan into our lives, and shows we do not have full surrender of Jesus. Just as Judas took his life, Balaam lost his live just when he thought he had obtained his worldly position through Israel being led by God to destroy the heathen nation he found it in. 
Are we willing to surrender all to God, all of our cherished sins as well as those more easily surrendered, so God can finish the Good work he has begun in us ? 

[Richard Myers]

Amen Brother Philip!  As we study the life of Judas, we find that he loved Jesus. But, not with the whole heart. He refused to surrender all to God. He did not intend to participate in the murder of Christ. He thought Jesus would escape from the killers. He wanted to teach God a lesson. Imagine that! His selfish heart was at the root of it all. He wanted to be the great one who taught God a lesson! Pride and more pride. How careful we ought to be that we not end up like Judas, King Saul, Dr. Kellogg, Waggoner and Jones, and so many others whom God has blessed.

     Judas did not, however, believe that Christ would permit Himself to be arrested. In betraying Him, it was his purpose to teach Him a lesson. He intended to play a part that would make the Saviour careful thenceforth to treat him with due respect. But Judas knew not that he was giving Christ up to death. How often, as the Saviour taught in parables, the scribes and Pharisees had been carried away with His striking illustrations! How often they had pronounced judgment against themselves! Often when the truth was brought home to their hearts, they had been filled with rage, and had taken up stones to cast at Him; but again and again He had made His escape. Since He had escaped so many snares, thought Judas, He certainly would not now allow Himself to be taken.
     Judas decided to put the matter to the test. If Jesus really was the Messiah, the people, for whom He had done so much, would rally about Him, and would proclaim Him king. This would forever settle many minds that were now in uncertainty. Judas would have the credit of having placed the king on David's throne. And this act would secure to him the first position, next to Christ, in the new kingdom.   

[Philip T]

Christ's oft-repeated statement that His kingdom was not of this world offended Judas. He had marked out a line upon which he expected Christ to work. He had planned that John the Baptist should be delivered from prison. But lo, John was left to be beheaded. And Jesus, instead of asserting His royal right and avenging the death of John, retired with His disciples into a country place. Judas wanted more aggressive warfare. He thought that if Jesus would not prevent the disciples from carrying out their schemes, the work would be more successful. He marked the increasing enmity of the Jewish leaders, and saw their challenge unheeded when they demanded from Christ a sign from heaven. His heart was open to unbelief, and the enemy supplied thoughts of questioning and rebellion. Why did Jesus dwell so much upon that which was discouraging? Why did He predict trial and persecution for Himself and for His disciples? The prospect of having a high place in the new kingdom had led Judas to espouse the cause of Christ. Were his hopes to be disappointed? Judas had not decided that Jesus was not the Son of God; but he was questioning, and seeking to find some explanation of His mighty works.

In this paragraph two points jumped out at me this morning:
1) Judas laid out the plan for his life and where he thought Jesus life should go, rather than praying, listening and walking the plan God had for him and Jesus. We need to learn from this and study to show ourselves approved, and pray for God's direction in our lives and follow God's plans and leadings in our lives.
2)  When we do not follow the plan God laid out for us and surrender all of self to Him, we end up letting Satan lead us to plans of wthe world, unbelief creeps in leading to creep in and we are lost.

[Dorine]

"Yet Judas made no open opposition, nor seemed to question the Saviour's lessons. He made no outward murmur until the time of the feast in Simon's house. When Mary anointed the Saviour's feet, Judas manifested his covetous disposition. At the reproof from Jesus his very spirit seemed turned to gall. Wounded pride and desire for revenge broke down the barriers, and the greed so long indulged held him in control. This will be the experience of everyone who persists in tampering with sin. The elements of depravity that are not resisted and overcome, respond to Satan's temptation, and the soul is led captive at his will.

I know first hand that this is true. When my spiritual condition was shown to me many years ago by a pastor I barely knew; my self righteousness sprang forth in fits of anger, tears, defiance and hate. I did not recognize myself but I was tormented day and night for weeks until I fell on my knees one day in confession to God. He gave me a new heart and that dear Pastor became very dear to me. He actually became part of our family because my youngest daughter married his nephew. I'm so thankful to God that He worked and plead with me. It was only when I said to God, ok Lord I am listening to you that He was able to let me see myself as I really was. What a life changing event for me. It could have been for Judas too but he refused to let go of his pride. May we stay surrendered to God at all times so that our hearts will be humble and teachable and protected from the temptation of selfishness.

[Beacon]

"Judas wanted more aggressive warfare. He thought that if Jesus would not prevent the disciples from carrying out their schemes, the work would be more successful He marked the increasing enmity of the Jewish leaders, and saw their challenge unheeded when they demanded from Christ a sign from heaven."

"His heart was open to unbelief, and the enemy supplied thoughts of questioning and rebellion."

"Why did Jesus dwell so much upon that which was discouraging? Why did He predict trial and persecution for Himself and for His disciples? The prospect of having a high place in the new kingdom had led Judas to espouse the cause of Christ."

"Were his hopes to be disappointed? The prospect of having a high place in the new kingdom had led Judas to espouse the cause of Christ."

Here we see a man who was unwilling to let Jesus be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in his personal life. He wanted to direct the ministry of Jesus. He was seeking Earthly Glory and Prestige unwilling to surrender himself to Jesus and let Him be the director of his life. Could we be in the same danger?? May our prayer be the same as shown in the words of this hymn.


    Not I, but Christ be honored, loved, exalted,
Not I, but Christ be seen, be known and heard;
Not I, but Christ in every look and action,
Not I, but Christ in every thought and word.
    Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord,
  Oh, to be lost in Thee,
Oh, that it may be no more I,
    But Christ that lives in me.
2
Not I, but Christ to gently soothe in sorrow,
Not I, but Christ to wipe the falling tear;
Not I, but Christ to lift the weary burden,
Not I, but Christ to hush away all fear.
3
Christ, only Christ, no idle word e’er falling,
Christ, only Christ, no needless bustling sound;
Christ, only Christ, no self-important bearing,
Christ, only Christ, no trace of I be found.
4
Not I, but Christ my every need supplying,
Not I, but Christ my strength and health to be;
Christ, only Christ, for spirit, soul, and body,
Christ, only Christ, live then Thy life in me.
5
Christ, only Christ, ere long will fill my vision,
Glory excelling soon, full soon I’ll see;
Christ, only Christ, my every wish fulfilling,
Christ, only Christ, my all in all to be.

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear friends! All so very true.  We have been so blessed to understand this important truth. Daniel included himself in his prayer because he knew who he was in the flesh and understood it was Christ in Him the hope of glory. It is good that we understand what true repentance is and how we are led to true repentance, not the repentance of Judas.

   Judas now cast himself at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging Him to be the Son of God, and entreating Him to deliver Himself. The Saviour did not reproach His betrayer. He knew that Judas did not repent; his confession was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a looking for of judgment, but he felt no deep, heartbreaking grief that he had betrayed the spotless Son of God, and denied the Holy One of Israel. Yet Jesus spoke no word of condemnation. He looked pityingly upon Judas, and said, For this hour came I into the world.

[Beacon]

"Judas loved the Great Teacher, and desired to be with Him."


"He felt a desire to be changed in character and life."

"He hoped to experience this through connecting himself with Jesus."

The Saviour did not repulse Judas.

"He gave him a place among the twelve. He trusted him to do the work of an evangelist.
 
He endowed him with power to heal the sick and to cast out devils."

"But Judas did not come to the point of surrendering himself fully to Christ."

"He felt that he could retain his own judgment and opinions."


If we are really honest with ourselves can we see some of the same spirit as Judas within our own lives. Could our focus on Self be the true cause of why the advancement of God's Remnant church is making such slow progress?

The question for today..."IS SELF GETTING IN THE WAY" of what Christ wants and needs us to be? Are we willing to surrender "ALL" to Jesus and let Him lead and guide in our work, our homes and in His Church, or are we like Judas, trying to dictate to the lives of others, both in His Church or Business or Family or with the Appointed Leaders of God's church today? Remember Jesus said..." You are either For Me or Against Me." There is no middle ground, no fence to sit on. Which will you choose today? Jesus or Self?

Have Thine own way, Lord,
  Have Thine own way;
Thou art the Potter,
  I am the clay.
Mould me and make me
  After Thy will,
While I am waiting,
  Yielded and still.
2
Have Thine own way, Lord,
  Have Thine own way;
Search me and try me,
  Master, today.
Whiter than snow, Lord,
  Wash me just now,
As in Thy presence
  Humbly I bow.
3
Have Thine own way, Lord,
  Have Thine own way;
Wounded and weary,
  Help me, I pray.
Power, all power,
  Surely is Thine,
Touch me and heal me,
  Savior divine.
4
Have Thine own way, Lord,
  Have Thine own way;
Hold o’er my being
  Absolute sway.
Fill with Thy Spirit
  Till all shall see
Christ only, always,
  Living in me.

Lyrics:Adelaide Addison Pollard (1862-1934)
Music:George Coles Stebbins (1846-1945)