As one of the twelve disciples, Judas was a chosen ambassador of hope. Yet, it was his own despair that led to his ultimate destruction. He had been given the authority to heal and cast out demons. He was trusted as the treasurer. He had witnessed the miracles and the teaching of Jesus. He was found around the proximity of glory, but he was not found in it. In his sorrow he turned not to the Father, but rather to his own failures. Therefore, his identity remains Judas the betrayer, the thief, the entitled, and the deceptor, rather than Judas the redeemed. While a glimpse into the life of Judas can serve as a warning, it can also be a source of comfort.

Scripture References

Matthew 6:24
Matthew 10
Matthew 26-27
Luke 15
Luke 22
John 10:18
John 12-13
2 Corinthians 7:10

Look and See | The Village Church | iTunes
Great and Mighty King | Elevation Church | iTunes
Great are You Lord | All Sons and Daughters | iTunes
Sing to the Lord | Grace Church Worship
Give me Faith | Elevation Worship | iTunes
The Greatness of Our God | Vertical Church Band | iTunes

Warning

• Warning “Around” does not equal “in”. . Many of us, like Judas, may be found around Jesus, but not in Him. What is your relationship to Jesus?
• You can be in close proximity to glory and power yet not have it become part of who you are. Instead, you become calloused in order not to be changed by it. Are you being transformed into the image of Christ or hardened in order to hold onto your sin?
• When you are close to glory and you still nurture, harbor, find comfort in, or hide small sins, they can completely consume you. Judas nurtured greed, deception and entitlement, and these things became his identity. Where might you be nurturing small sins? What areas of your life have these sins already taken root and begun to consume you or others close to you?
• When Judas experienced the despair of his sin, he did not turn away from it, nor did he turn back toward the Father. Like Judas, the prodigal son in Luke 15 betrayed his father. He, however, experienced sorrow and remorse, turned from his sin, and returned to his father’s house. What is your response when confronted by the remorse of your own sin? Do you return to hope or remain in sorrow?

Comfort

• Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him. Yet, He willingly allowed it. Only He has the authority to lay down His life and to take it back up again. How can this be a source of hope, comfort, or refuge for you?
• Jesus knows the pain of undeserved betrayal more than we ever will. In what areas of your life might this truth need to humble you?
• Like Judas, Peter also betrayed Jesus. But, Peter betrayed Jesus and through redemption, he was used to take the Truth to the Gentiles. How can this provide hope for us when confronted with our own brokenness or the brokenness of others?

Thoughts to Consider:

• Being in the proximity of glory without being transformed by it leads to a calloused and hardened heart.
• Repentance ultimately ends in contentment, joy, a sense of relief, and delight in God and the forgiveness that He has for me in Jesus.
• Judas hid his sin behind spirituality.
• The way that God did the most good to the most people was by embracing ultimate betrayal on the cross.
• Jesus accepts anyone who comes to him.
• You are not like Judas. Recognize what you’ve done and act, moving toward the One who redeems.