Free Will and God's Sovereignty - the Case of Judas
Free Will and God’s Sovereignty – the Case of Judas
We laugh at the catch phrase popularized by comedian Flip Wilson “The devil made me do it”. Would that apply in the case of an 11 year old boy who shot and killed his father’s pregnant girlfriend in cold blood while she slept? This happened this Friday in a town close to Pittsburg. Do we have free will to do what is right or wrong? What about God’s sovereign hand in the affairs of life?
As we go into the climax of the life of Jesus, his death and resurrection, let’s examine the action of Judas Iscariot in helping us answer the above questions. Did “the devil make Judas do it i.e. betray Christ”? Through this study, we will understand the life cycle of temptation and how it comes to maturity and yield its fruit, sin and death.
Luke 22: 1-6
1Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. 7Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Notice that it was a specific time, during the Passover (an eight day period). What happens on the last day of the Passover? “The Passover lamb had to be sacrificed”. The sovereignty of God is in the timing of events. We learn that Judas and his collaborators gathered together and “they did what your (God’s) power and will had decided before hand should happen.” Acts 5:28. It appears on the surface that Judas did what he was supposed to do; that is, betray Jesus.
2. What about Jesus’ statement that says “And truly the Son of Man goes as it is has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed” Luke 22: 28. Judas did not have to betray Jesus; he chose to betray Jesus. What was predetermined was that Jesus will die for you and me. I do not believe that Judas was predetermined from beginning to be the betrayer.
3. However, Jesus knew from beginning who Judas is. “The words I have spoken to you are spirit[e] and they are life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." John 6:63-65. The above quote was in the context of Jesus teaching about himself as bread and flesh saying any who eats him will have life. We can see that Judas did not believe in Jesus. In fact Jesus goes on to say regarding Judas, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” John 6:70.
4. In this passage (and in no other), the scripture never teaches that God has chosen certain people to be damned and go to hell. We all have sinned out of our free will just like Judas. However, the Scripture teaches that God has elected some to be saved (See Romans 8:28-34; 9:15-16). “No one can come to me (Jesus) unless the Father enabled him.”How can that be? The two ideas seem contrary to each. That is the mystery we have in God. The secret things belong to God. (Deuteronomy 29:29). If we did not choose to sin, then God’s grace to save us means nothing.
5. Is our sin any different from that of Judas’ betrayal? You may say it is different but we have all betrayed Jesus at one point or the other. How different is it when we lie and or manipulate truth for our advantage? Sin is sin and requires God’s judgment and punishment. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourself; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
6. The temptation of Judas did not just happen. He had been falling in love with money. It is said he helped himself from time to time stealing the money because he was in charge of the treasury. Judas was a thief (see John 12: 4-6). Our greatest temptation will come from the very thing we have mastery over or that we have under control. We must allow God to be in control all the time in all areas of life and never think we have arrived.
7. When it says “Satan entered Judas”? v. 3. What does it mean? Satan made him do it”? Certainly not. I believe it simply means when Judas made up his mind to do what he had been planning to do, then Satan entered into him. Look at what happens next. It was Judas who went seeking the “chief priests and captains”. It was also said in John 13: 26Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 27As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. Some Bible commentators say, this was another chance for Judas to change his mind but he did not. Again, he made up his mind and for the second time, it said, “Satan entered into him’.
8. When it comes to yielding to temptation, the Holy Spirit will give us ample warnings and it is up to us to yield and sin. The devil does not make any one eat a gallon of ice cream (on the light side), go to the pornographic sites on the web or cheat on taxes or ones spouse. There is always some momentary satisfaction that is promised. For Judas, it was money – 30 pieces of silver. “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:14).
9. We do know how Judas’ life ended. He committed suicide. Before then, Matthew 27:3, says, “ 3When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4"I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." Notice that it says, Judas was “seized with remorse” but not “repentance”. I can’t say for sure, Judas’ final destiny. It is in God’s hand. However, we must live a life of constant repentance. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. 1 John 1:9. Lord, please forgive and cleanse us today.
At the end, all I can say is, Thank you Jesus for choosing and saving me despite my sins. I was no better than Judas. I don’t understand it all and your grace overwhelms me. Thank you Lord. Amen.
We laugh at the catch phrase popularized by comedian Flip Wilson “The devil made me do it”. Would that apply in the case of an 11 year old boy who shot and killed his father’s pregnant girlfriend in cold blood while she slept? This happened this Friday in a town close to Pittsburg. Do we have free will to do what is right or wrong? What about God’s sovereign hand in the affairs of life?
As we go into the climax of the life of Jesus, his death and resurrection, let’s examine the action of Judas Iscariot in helping us answer the above questions. Did “the devil make Judas do it i.e. betray Christ”? Through this study, we will understand the life cycle of temptation and how it comes to maturity and yield its fruit, sin and death.
Luke 22: 1-6
1Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. 7Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Notice that it was a specific time, during the Passover (an eight day period). What happens on the last day of the Passover? “The Passover lamb had to be sacrificed”. The sovereignty of God is in the timing of events. We learn that Judas and his collaborators gathered together and “they did what your (God’s) power and will had decided before hand should happen.” Acts 5:28. It appears on the surface that Judas did what he was supposed to do; that is, betray Jesus.
2. What about Jesus’ statement that says “And truly the Son of Man goes as it is has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed” Luke 22: 28. Judas did not have to betray Jesus; he chose to betray Jesus. What was predetermined was that Jesus will die for you and me. I do not believe that Judas was predetermined from beginning to be the betrayer.
3. However, Jesus knew from beginning who Judas is. “The words I have spoken to you are spirit[e] and they are life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." John 6:63-65. The above quote was in the context of Jesus teaching about himself as bread and flesh saying any who eats him will have life. We can see that Judas did not believe in Jesus. In fact Jesus goes on to say regarding Judas, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” John 6:70.
4. In this passage (and in no other), the scripture never teaches that God has chosen certain people to be damned and go to hell. We all have sinned out of our free will just like Judas. However, the Scripture teaches that God has elected some to be saved (See Romans 8:28-34; 9:15-16). “No one can come to me (Jesus) unless the Father enabled him.”How can that be? The two ideas seem contrary to each. That is the mystery we have in God. The secret things belong to God. (Deuteronomy 29:29). If we did not choose to sin, then God’s grace to save us means nothing.
5. Is our sin any different from that of Judas’ betrayal? You may say it is different but we have all betrayed Jesus at one point or the other. How different is it when we lie and or manipulate truth for our advantage? Sin is sin and requires God’s judgment and punishment. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourself; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
6. The temptation of Judas did not just happen. He had been falling in love with money. It is said he helped himself from time to time stealing the money because he was in charge of the treasury. Judas was a thief (see John 12: 4-6). Our greatest temptation will come from the very thing we have mastery over or that we have under control. We must allow God to be in control all the time in all areas of life and never think we have arrived.
7. When it says “Satan entered Judas”? v. 3. What does it mean? Satan made him do it”? Certainly not. I believe it simply means when Judas made up his mind to do what he had been planning to do, then Satan entered into him. Look at what happens next. It was Judas who went seeking the “chief priests and captains”. It was also said in John 13: 26Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 27As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. Some Bible commentators say, this was another chance for Judas to change his mind but he did not. Again, he made up his mind and for the second time, it said, “Satan entered into him’.
8. When it comes to yielding to temptation, the Holy Spirit will give us ample warnings and it is up to us to yield and sin. The devil does not make any one eat a gallon of ice cream (on the light side), go to the pornographic sites on the web or cheat on taxes or ones spouse. There is always some momentary satisfaction that is promised. For Judas, it was money – 30 pieces of silver. “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:14).
9. We do know how Judas’ life ended. He committed suicide. Before then, Matthew 27:3, says, “ 3When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4"I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." Notice that it says, Judas was “seized with remorse” but not “repentance”. I can’t say for sure, Judas’ final destiny. It is in God’s hand. However, we must live a life of constant repentance. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. 1 John 1:9. Lord, please forgive and cleanse us today.
At the end, all I can say is, Thank you Jesus for choosing and saving me despite my sins. I was no better than Judas. I don’t understand it all and your grace overwhelms me. Thank you Lord. Amen.
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