JUDAS

Luke 6:16 KJV

[16] and Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

Judas is a Hebrew name meaning "Praise". There are many people who bear the name "Judas" recorded in the Bible but our focus would be on Judas Iscariot (one of the twelve disciples).

Judas was human, a real person in fact. He had emotions, he had desires, he was like you, he was like me. He made some mistakes, and one of the most notorious mistakes was the betrayal of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Judas was one of the twelve disciples that Jesus chose to be "fishers of men". He was anointed. He watched Jesus perform miracles and even performed miracles and healed the sick. Woah. What changed? What went wrong?

Nobody is impervious to falling by his or her own strength. That is why Jude 1:24 says that it is God who is able to keep us from falling. Did Judas really surrender all?

Luke 14:28, 33 NIV

[28]  “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 

[33] In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

You have to give everything up to Jesus. Your cares and burdens, surrender it to Him. Are you self aware? Are there shortcomings you need to work on? The Bible records that Judas was the treasurer, he stole from the disciples' fund, that was an opening!

Matthew 26:25 NIV

[25] Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

Seek help, step into the presence of God, embrace accountability! Share what you are going through with somebody, knowledge is light! You are not too far gone to be redeemed.

Matthew 27:3 NIV

[3] When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 

Judas became remorseful but before any form of recompense could be done, he committed suicide. I believe that Jesus would still have received Him and die for him. He couldn't forgive himself. Forgive yourself. Don't let history repeat itself. Jesus has forgiven you.

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy!