On Judas at Christmas
Often at this time of year, we may find ourselves thinking about grace and about the disciple who betrayed Jesus, the one who is a byword for disloyalty and duplicitous two-faced behaviour — Judas.
I wonder if Jesus was walking beside me, teaching me on a daily basis, sharing glimpses of the kingdom, with me having a ring-side seat as He performed miracles would I have been unchanged or would I find myself let down if I were expecting the Messiah, the promised King of Israel?
I’m amazed at how Judas appeared to remain seemingly unchanged by Jesus’ preaching and teaching. Imagine all the things he had seen and heard, the meals shared, the countless times that Judas looked at Christ, looked into His eyes even as He looked at Judas. What must have happened within Judas to transform him from a follower to a betrayer? Of course, the Bible tells us that satan entered Judas so we are aware of the means but, what of the whisperings of the deceiver in the ear of Judas? What of the subtle machinations and twists of thought, influences and “coincidences” that were designed by the evil one to bring about the destruction of the Chosen One, the Prince of Peace, Wonderful, Counsellor? Of course, it was all in God’s divine plan but, the road to perdition for Judas was paved with many a thought that gradually moved him away from the true path.
Yet even Judas, in all his betrayal played a part in the ultimate glory of God, in the plan of Salvation being made real through His sacrifice for us. But imagine how Judas, for all the time he spent with Jesus, could walk from the presence of the divine into the shadow of the deceiver, what subtle changes must have been brought in the heart and mind of Judas to blind him to the truth of Jesus and make him a vessel for darkness?
Imagine how Judas could have moved so far from the Grace of God that he could lead soldiers to the garden of sorrows where he knew Jesus would be praying. Imagine how Judas could have kissed the cheek of the One who would lay down His life for the very sin that Judas was committing.
It seems that much like Judas, we try to go our own way instead of following His. Too often, we reject the things He puts in our lives out of laziness or short-sightedness. Too often, we neglect Him and instead focus on the worldly things before us, we put faith in people rather than in a God who loves us. Too often, we give up on His best thing in favour of whatever is easiest. Too often, we arrogantly think that our own plans are what matters most, we become consumed with the superficial and forget that there is a holier, more worthy goal.
How too often do we get closer to Him but remain unchanged by Him?
How often do we arrive at the “Judas” place?
But in all our betrayals, He loves us still, in all our sins we are yet covered by the blood of the Lamb of God, we are yet made holy.
Simil justus et peccator.
What kind of love is this, that God would Himself come down as fully God, fully man, as the Holy One veiled in flesh? It’s a redemptive, restorative, relentless, gracious, all-consuming love. It’s a charitable and kind love that knows no beginning or end. It’s a love that surpasses all understanding with its boundless patience. It’s a love that lays down its own life to rescue another. It’s a love that pierces the heart and changes minds.
It’s a love that cleaves, through Christ, to the sinner's heart.
It’s a love divine, exemplified in a night divine, for a sacrifice divine.
This Christmas, don’t be like Judas who did (or appeared to do) all the right things on the outside, but he wasn’t changed by the person, presence and possibility of Jesus.
And when the Lord Jesus has become your peace, remember, there is another thing: good will towards men. Do not try to keep Christmas without good will towards men. — Spurgeon
May the peace of the Christ child be with you this Christmas, may the grace of an everlasting God rest upon you and may the Son of God through whom we have redemption, ever change you and conform you through the power of the Holy Spirit, to His likeness.
