Last Sunday while in the States, I got one of the better sermons I’ve heard in some time. It was a well researched, well prepared sermon, part of a series on the hard sayings of Jesus. In this case however, it was on one of the hard things Jesus did; selecting Judas, the thieving disciple who would eventually betray Him.
The Pastor pointed out many solid examples of Jesus’ grace throughout Judas’ tenure with Him. And at one point, he asked the puzzling question why Jesus would choose Judas, a man He had to know would betray Him. It was the climactic point of the teaching and a question I’ve often reflected upon.
An Oversight or An Illumination?
One thing should be clear to all Christians: The choice of Judas was not an oversight. Jesus foreknew Judas was a thief and would betray Him, or He was not the Christ. The only other sensible possibility is that Jesus wanted to provide a picture to illumine His followers. But if so, what was He wishing to convey? What was He trying to tell His people?
Israel’s Unfaithful History
Israel was called to be God’s people, to mediate for the nations, restoring them to relationship with God. It was the heart of the Abrahamic covenant to be a blessing to the nations (Genesis 12:3). From her creation in exodus from Egypt, she had been idolatrously unfaithful, worshiping a golden calf in the wilderness, then serving idols in the land (Judges 18).
Under the kings, idolatry only worsened. After Solomon’s idolatry, Israel was divided. The Northern Kingdom immediately fell into idolatry under Jeroboam that persisted until her destruction. Eighteen kings and nearly 240 years later, Israel consistently practiced idolatry without repentance (See 2 Kings 17:7-41).
The Southern Kingdom also fell into idolatry with most of her twenty kings serving idols during her nearly 400 year history. Even during periods of revival, idolatry persisted in the high places and repentance was only in pretense (Jeremiah 3:10). Even when worshiping God, she worshiped idols.
Driven into exile to Babylon for seventy years, most unrepentantly refused to return to the land when God called Cyrus to expedite their return and fund the building of the temple and city. Despite God’s gracious gift of return, Israel soon violated God’s laws again (see Malachi). Eventually, they would reject Christ and His kingdom, choosing a thief over their Savior.
Israel’s Covenantal Unfaithfulness was a Betrayal of Trust
Israel’s history shows her betrayal of the covenant she promised to honor. It is hard to comprehend God’s disappointment and feeling of betrayal as Israel’s idolatry brought death to countless people among the nations she was called to save. But her refusal to repent though eye-witnesses to Jesus’ many miracles was her ultimate betrayal. She refused to fulfill the call God gave Abraham and his descendants. She refused to partner with God’s Elect to save the world.
No Better Way to Illustrate Israel’s Betrayal
I can think of no better way to illustrate Israel’s betrayal of God and His appointed Messiah than for Jesus to “plant” a betrayer in His midst. That one of Jesus’ own disciples betrayed Him seems an ingenious way to point out to Israel her betrayal.
And what better way to illumine the new Israel, the church, of how easy it is to betray the new covenant sealed in the blood of Christ, secured at the greatest cost possible through the death of God Himself.
When I reflect critically upon my own Christian experience, it is a complete train-wreck of failure, shameful indifference and betrayal. No one deserves God’s grace less than I. Yet it’s my prayer that God will make me fruitful so I finish strong,that my failures power me to live faithfully, so I don’t continue in betrayal.
For those out there who may feel as I do, take heart. Israel’s and Judas’ betrayals did not thwart God’s plan . . . and neither will yours! Celebrate, for Jesus lives! Happy Easter everyone!