Developing Foundations for Healthy RelationshipsSample

The relationship between Jesus and Judas (Part 2)

In yesterday’s study, we introduced the relationship between Jesus and Judas Iscariot; a man made most famous for his ultimate betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Luke 22). After all that he had seen and heard, why and how could Judas do this?

We learn by reading the four accounts of the Last Supper that Judas most likely did not recognize Jesus as God or the long-awaited Messiah (yes, even after all the evidence in the world). We can deduce this because when Jesus announced that one of His disciples would betray Him, and they each (full of sorrow, no less) asked Him “Is it I, Lord?” (Matthew 26:22), Judas asked, “Is it I, Rabbi?” (Matthew 26:25). The other disciples call Jesus Lord, but Judas used the title Rabbi. Rabbi is the Hebrew word for teacher, and although an honorable title, it does not acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, the long-awaited Son of God. It seems that to Judas, Jesus was just a man. Perhaps a man with good moral values and teachings, but he did not acknowledge Jesus as Lord or as God.

Judas betrays Jesus with an attempted kiss as a greeting (Luke 22:47), and then Jesus is seized and taken away.

In addition to yesterday’s principles, we can learn a lot of additional things from the relationship between Jesus and Judas. For example:

• Recognizing Jesus as a good, moral teacher is not enough. Saving faith requires our recognition of Him as Messiah and as Lord of our lives.
• Nothing good can come from giving up on Jesus, as is evidenced by the tragic end of Judas’s life.
• Somebody can look and behave like a follower of Jesus but not actually be saved. We are told in Matthew 7: 22-23 that on the last day many people will call Jesus Lord, and cite their casting out of demons, their prophecy, and their mighty works as evidence - but Jesus will answer “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” Judas teaches us that behavior and doctrine are not necessarily fruit of saving faith (which is very humbling and a little scary!)

Although all of these are great lessons to learn and adapt into our lives, one of the primary foundations to pull from this relationship is this: we can not save people, nor can we change the human heart.

Judas had quite literally every opportunity to recognize Jesus as Lord, and yet he didn’t. All the evidence in the world was not enough. Similarly, we (in our human selves) can not force or convince anybody to follow Jesus. It must be the work of God in their hearts and lives and their own choice to do so.

However, although we can not save people (and here is where the practice comes in), we can unconditionally love them. We can include them. We can have patience for them. We can invite them into our lives. We can extend them mercy. We can maintain relationships without judgment and regardless of their beliefs.

We see this modeled so beautifully in the relationship between Jesus and Judas because Jesus knew all along that Judas would betray Him. In fact, it was foretold throughout the Old Testament (Psalm 41:9, Zechariah 11:12-13). The very specific way in which Jesus was betrayed and went on to die was no surprise to God. From the beginning, Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him, and yet He still chose him as one of the 12. He still included him, sat with him, ate with him, taught him, and loved him.

John 6:60-65 tells us (emphasis added)

“On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”

What does Jesus teach us by His example? That we must make space within our lives for difficult people. Additionally and however difficult, we must have relationships with people who do not know Jesus as Lord.

To finish up today’s study, spend some time journaling or thinking through the answers to the following questions:

How does Jesus’s relationship with Judas contrast or contradict the boundary-setting culture of the twenty-first century?

How does Jesus’s relationship with Judas help you to navigate difficult relationships within your own life? What does Jesus teach us about living alongside challenging people?

What Godly characteristics are you praying that God will develop within your own heart and life?

Knowing that it is only God who can change the human heart, spend some time praying for those you know who are far from Him.