Judas Iscariot is a clear illustration of one who sold himself for nothing. He basically sold his soul for thirty pieces of silver. Ultimately, natural grief overwhelmed him as he recognized the awful deed that he had done, and he threw the money back down at the feet of those wicked men who paid him to betray the LORD JESUS. He was filled with Satan (see Luke 22:3; John 13:2,27) who had taken possession of him. He became so despondent at his inability to rectify his wickedness, that he went out and hung himself. Such is the power given to him who goes about as a “roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” (I Pet.5:8) Some have wrongly surmised that he acted in true repentance, but he was incapable of such, since true repentance is a gift from GOD and only given to those whom HE loves.
We look at Peter who, in some measure, acted much like Judas and ultimately denied even knowing the LORD, with an oath for emphasis. There was a great difference, however, between Peter and Judas. That distinction was not in the power of their will nor in the choices that they made; for they both chose essentially the same path. The LORD’s love for Peter was the deciding factor, most certainly in contrast to that which Peter displayed towards HIM. The LORD’s faithfulness to keep Peter back from destruction and not Peter’s ability to avoid it is manifested in this situation. It was not Peter’s prayer unto the LORD, that was the difference, but rather the faithful prayer of CHRIST in Peter’s behalf. “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32)
Judas was a man ordained unto destruction just like those of whom Jude writes, “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:4) The LORD said of him, “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 not been born.” (Mat 26:24) This is a terrible judgement which Judas was all too willing to embrace. Any man who reads such things and does not tremble before a Sovereign GOD, is dead in trespasses and sins.
Let none read here and say that Judas did not deserve the destruction to which he was appointed by GOD. Let none assume that any other man born of the same parentage as Judas (that being from the loins of Adam) does not deserve the same fate. “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1Cor 4:7) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23)
What can any man say against HIM who marks out the orbits of the planets and calls HIS sheep by name? “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” (Rom 9:20-21) We have no way of ascertaining who those are who are “vessels of honor” and those of “dishonor”, before the time when the LORD is pleased to make them manifest, even as HE did with Judas, and for example; Saul of Tarsus who breathed out slaughters against the people of GOD, until such time as the LORD saw fit to call him out of darkness and into the LIGHT of the glory of GOD in the FACE of JESUS CHRIST.
We are never amazed when the LORD reveals the wickedness of men, for it is bound in their hearts except that HE should see fit to release them from it, even as HE did with Peter or David. Neither are we upset that HE should ordain some to destruction. What continually amazes us is that HE is pleased to show mercy to some, when none deserve even the least of HIS mercies. “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psa 8:3-4) That the LORD should have the least regard for those who have rebelled against HIS precepts and dishonored HIM at every turn of their lives, does ever cause us to behold HIM in wonder. Surely, HE is that ONE whose GLORY is seen in HIS GOODNESS as HE said to Moses, “I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.” (Exo 33:19)
This scripture which was given to Isaiah sets forth the basis upon which any of the sons of men might have reason to HOPE. There is no hope for the man who thinks that he has some measure of worth in himself which he can bring before the LORD, expecting that the LORD will be pleased with his “good deeds”, “obedience”, “faith”, “repentance”, or any other activity of his will. All men without exception have sold themselves “for nought”.(i.e.; nothing; gratis; devoid of value). “Wherefore, as by one man (i.e.; Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (Rom 5:12) Not only are we born under the curse of sin with an inclination towards sin, but we have all actually transgressed the commandments of GOD. We are without excuse, and “without money”(i.e.; that which is of value in the Kingdom of GOD) with which to “purchase” a right standing with GOD. As destitute beggars we have nothing of value to bring unto the LORD.
When Judas received those thirty pieces of silver, he had no idea that by doing so he had willingly sold himself into bondage from whence he could never be freed. The glorious, good news of the Gospel is that the “redemption” (i.e.; the purchase or buying back from the slavery which we had gladly entered) of the sons of GOD, is not dependent upon them or anything which they possess, but is rather supplied by the REDEEMER of sinners who has gladly paid the price necessary for them to be freed from that bondage. This is a “redemption” which is “without money” (i.e.; something valued by the natural man) but is accomplished with the blood of the LAMB of GOD slain. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” (1Pet 1:18-20) “Even as the Son of man came --- to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mat 20:28)
We are sent into the world to declare the glory of HIM who is the REDEEMER of sinners to all that will hear the glorious, good news of the Gospel. We are not sent to condemn the world for the world is already condemned, neither are we sent to determine who the elect of GOD are. The LORD knows them that are HIS, HE calls them by name. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28) The gospel is a message for sinners deep in debt with no “money” with which to buy themselves out of bondage. It is a good message for those who are burdened with their sin and who fear their certain destruction apart from HIS mercy. HE is a merciful SAVIOR who declares to the needy, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” (Isa 55:1-3)
“Let not conscience make you linger, Nor of fitness fondly dream; All the fitness he requireth, Is to feel your need of him, This he gives you,’Tis the Spirit’s rising beam.
Come, ye weary, heavy laden, Lost and ruined by the fall; If you tarry till you’re better, You will never come at all. Not the righteous, Sinners Jesus came to call.” (by Joseph Hart, # 723 Gadsby’s Hymns)
JESUS CHRIST is the REDEEMER of sinners who have nothing with which to pay their debt.
mam