Luke 6:13-16 And when it was day, he called to him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;… It is natural to ask, Why was there a traitor among the twelve? and what good purpose was served by this development of iniquity, which He who rules over all was thus pleased to permit. Now, here was fulfilled, in the most striking way, the declaration that the wrath of men shall praise God, and the remainder of wrath He shall restrain. I. THE HISTORY OF JUDAS ISCARIOT FURNISHES A STRIKING PROOF OF THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY. 1. It is a proof of this, as it is a fulfilment of prophecy (Psalm 69., 109.; Zechariah 11:12, &c.). 2. It brings forward the testimony of an enemy, and a perfectly well-informed enemy, in support of Christianity. II. This history teaches us that THE OCCASIONAL OCCURRENCE OF GRIEVOUS OFFENCES AMONG PROFESSORS OF RELIGION, SHOULD NOT PREJUDICE US AGAINST RELIGION ITSELF. If even among the apostles such a case occurred, it need not greatly surprise us that something similar should take place in the Church from time to time. III. A MOST AWFUL WARNING TO ALL WHO PROFESS TO BE THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, TO BEWARE LEST THEY FALL IN A SIMILAR WAY. (James Foote, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; |
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