Oh, How I Love Judas by Rev. Robert Wimberly

Oh, How I Love Judas

John 13:1

 

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.

INTRO:  There is a poem by an unknown author called “The Two Mothers” listen….

Long time ago, so I have been told, Two angels once met on streets paved with gold.

“By the stars in your crown” said the one to the other.  “I see that on earth you too, were a mother”

And by the blue-tinted halo your wear..You too, have known sorrow and deepest despair.”

“Ah yes” she replied, “I once had a son, A sweet little lad, full of laughter and fun.”

“But tell of your child.” “Oh, I knew I was blessed, from the moment I held him closed to my breast”

And my heart almost burst with the joy of that day! “Ah, yes,” said the other, “I felt the same way”

The former continued: “The first steps he took, so eager and breathless; the sweet startled look

Which came over his face…oh he trusted me so” “Ah yes, said the other, “How well do I know”

“But soon he had grown to a tall handsome boy, So giving and kind….it gave me such joy.

“To have him walk down the street, close by my side” “Ah yes, said the other, “I felt the same pride”

“How often I shielded and spared him from pain, when He for others was so cruelly slain.

When they crucified him—they spat in his face. How gladly I would have hung there, and took his place.

A moment of silence “Oh, then you are she…. The mother of Christ” and she fell on one knee.

But she raised her up, and drawing her near…She kissed from the cheek of the woman, a tear.

“Tell me the name of the son you love so, That I may share with your grief and woe”

She lifted her eyes, looking straight at the other…”He was Judas Iscariot; I am his mother”

In that night, so much to be remembered, in which He instituted the Lord’s supper – a night in which nothing but kindness and tenderness flowed from His blessed lips.  In may respects that was the most wonderful evening that ever was in the world.  Never did the shades of evening gather around a more wonderful company….What a wonderful scene  There were 3 events of love that took place that night.

1.     The ceremony of the Last Passover meal with his disciples. This would be the Last Passover before Calvary.  He desired to eat it with everyone of them including his betrayer.

2.     The second, was when he took out a basin and a towel and began to wash his disciples feet.

3.     The third, was when he instituted the Communion, the Blood and the Body.

Oh what a night….Oh what love! Oh what compassion…It seems that there couldn’t be anything that disturb this moment.  It is the Savior’s last moment with his disciples.  Who would dare to ruffle the calm tranquility of such a moment  by one word of dark suspicion?  HUSH….The Savior is speaking…and in the serenity of the moment he says….”Verily, verily I say unto you that one of you shall betray me”

Jesus did not stand and say this to spoil the moment…everything he was saying here was said with the attitude of Love….He was reaching

Judas Iscariot

JU'DAS ISCAR'IOT (Grk. 'Ioudas, from Heb. Judas; 'Iskariotes, "inhabitant of Kerioth"). The son of Simon and one of our Lord's twelve apostles.

His Call. We learn nothing of Judas previous to his call (Matt 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:16), and yet the appearance of his name in the lists of the apostles would seem to indicate that he had previously declared himself a disciple. It does not seem necessary to speculate upon the motives that influenced Judas to become a disciple, or to attempt a solution of the question why such a man was chosen for the office of an apostle.

As Treasurer. When the twelve became an organized body, traveling, receiving money and other offerings, distributing to the poor, it became necessary that someone should act as steward; we learn that this duty fell to Judas and also that "he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it" (John 12:4-6; 13:29).

Treachery Foretold. Some time previous to the betrayal of Jesus "many of His disciples withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore" (John 6:66), probably influenced by the disappointment of their earthly expectations or fearful of coming evil. In deep sadness of heart Jesus asked His disciples the question, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" Receiving assurance of faithfulness from the disciples through Peter, "Jesus answered them, 'Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?' Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him" (vv. 67-71). The scene at Bethany, which in John (John 12:3-9) indicates that it was Judas who protested Mary's use of the costly perfume to anoint Jesus' feet (cf. Matt 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9), points to the smallness of spirit that would lead him to betray his Lord.

(From The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.)

Jesus loved Judas

Why would Christ say the words he said that night and spoil the spirit of the moment?  Why did he have to speak of his betrayer openly?  I can see no other reason for it but that He might make one last effort to melt his heart

It was as if Jesus was saying:  I love you Judas,  I still have compassion for you..  I picked you. I know you.

I love you.  Let me be your Savior .

All of the Saviors dealings with Judas were intended to convince him that He knew his heart, and he was reaching him with love.

3 Evidences of Love

1.     Washing Feet – Reaching Love was plainly His intention when washing the disciples feet and telling them, that if they be bathed in His blood, they need nothing more than to have feet washed- OH WHAT LOVE….OH WHAT COMPASSION…He takes each disciples feet one by one and washes them…He even takes the sandals off of Judas and perches down and in Love washes him.  He adds at that moment. “Ye are clean every whit….But ye are not all clean”.  JUDAS ARE YOU LISTENING?? THE SAVIOR IS REACHING FOR YOU!!  

2.     Passover – When they sat down to eat….Jesus starts reaching again…He says “ I know whom I have chosen, but that the scripture might be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.” Judas he has not revealed you yet!! But he’s reaching for you!! Can’t you see the love in his eyes!! He is calling out to you!!

3.     Declaration of Danger – The third reason is his Declaration of Danger to Him…Jesus says…” The son of Man goeth, as it is written of him, but woe unto that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!  It had been good for that man if he had never been born”  In the two former instances Jesus had showed his love..but now still in love…He’s warning Judas of pending danger and judgment…Heb 12:6-76 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? JUDAS WAKE UP….HE’S WARNING YOU….

JESUS DIDN’T HATE JUDAS HE LOVE HIM….BUT THE BIBLE SAYS THAT JUDAS SLIPPED OUT AND IT WAS NIGHT….IT IS ALWAYS NIGHT FOR THE ONE WHO SLIPS AWAY FROM THE LOVE OF GOD…

ONE LAST ATTEMPT

When Judas came into the garden….ready to do the bidding of Satan…Jesus even tried one more time..

Matt 26:48-5048 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.