Mark 14:18-19 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Truly I say to you, One of you which eats with me shall betray me.… Of Judas this fearful sentence is uttered by the Lord. I. BUT BEFORE ENTERING INTO THE PARTICULARS OF HIS HISTORY, A FEW GENERAL REMARKS ARE PERTINENT. 1. There is no evidence that Judas Iscariot was a man of bad countenance. Most men are much influenced by looks, and many think they can tell a man's character by the physiognomy. This may often be true, but there are many exceptions. 2. There is no evidence that, up to his betrayal of his Lord, his conduct was the subject of censure, complaint, jealousy, or of the slightest suspicion. His sins were all concealed from the eyes of mortals. He was a thief, but that was known only to Omniscience. 3. There is no evidence that, during his continuance with Christ, he regarded himself as a hypocrite. Doubtless he thought himself honest. 4. Let it not be supposed that Judas ought not to have known his character. He shut his eyes to the truth respecting himself. The aggravations of the sin of betraying Christ were many and great. The traitor was eminent in place, in gifts, in office, in profession; a guide to others, and one whose example was likely to influence many. II. THE LESSONS TAUGHT US BY THE LIFE AND END OF JUDAS ARE SUCH AS THESE — 1. Though wicked men do not so intend, yet in all cases they shall certainly glorify God by all their misdeeds (Psalm 76:10). The wickedness of Judas was by God over-ruled to bring about the most important event in man's salvation. The wicked now hate God, but they cannot defeat Him. 2. Nor shall God's unfailing purpose to bring good out of evil abate aught of the guilt of those who work iniquity (Acts 2:28; Acts 4:27, 28). 3. From the history of Judas we also learn that when a man is once fairly started in a career of wickedness, it is impossible to tell where he may stop. In the next world surprise awaits all the impenitent. 4. All men should especially beware of covetousness (1 Timothy 6:10). 5. Did men but know how bitter would be the end of transgression, they would at least pause before they plunge into all evil. Oh! that men would hear the warning words of Richard Baxter, "Use sin as it will use you: spare it not, for it will not spare you; it is your murderer and the murderer of the world. Use it, therefore, as a murderer should be used." 6. How small a temptation to sin will at last prevail over a vicious mind. For less than twenty dollars Judas sold his Lord and Master. Those temptations commonly esteemed great are not the most sure to prevail. 7. Nothing prepares a man for destruction faster than hypocrisy or formality in actions of a religious nature. The three years which Judas spent in the family of our Lord probably exceeded all the rest of his life in ripening him for destruction. We should never forget that official character is one thing, and moral character another thing. All official characters may be sustained without any real grace in the heart. 8. The history of Judas shows us how man will cling to false hopes. There is no evidence that during years of hypocrisy he ever seriously doubted his own piety. 9. If men thus self-confident forsake their profession, and openly apostatize, we need not be surprised. 10. Thus, too, we have a full refutation of the objection made to a connection with the visible church because there are wicked men in her communion. The apostles certainly knew that among them was one bad man; but they did not therefore renounce their portion among Christ's professed friends. 11. How difficult it is to bring home truth to the deceitful hears of man. Hypocrites are slow to improve close, discriminating preaching. They desire not to look into their real characters. 12. The case of Judas discloses the uselessness of that sorrow of the world which worketh death, hath no hope in it, and drives the soul to madness. It is not desperation, but penitence, that God requires. Regrets without hatred of sin are useless, both on earth and in hell. (W. S. Plumer, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. |
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