Holy Week Thoughts, Part 4: The Apostle of Apostasy
Just a few weeks ago at Eastridge, we wrapped up a series on the book of Genesis. The last accounts in Genesis tell the story of Joseph, whose vengeful brothers sold him into slavery. God used that horrific incident to eventually save the entire family from famine.
Joseph told his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20, ESV).
A similar thing happens in the Holy Week story. Judas Iscariot, one of the 12 apostles, secretly met with the chief priests and agreed to betray Jesus for money.
Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd..
Jesus knew all along that Judas would betray Him, which begs a huge question: why did Jesus choose him? The simple answer is that nothing would thwart God’s plan to redeem humanity.
John Piper talked about this recently, and he said:
By choosing to be betrayed by a close friend, and even by a kiss, Jesus shows us that the most despicable act in the history of the world — the betrayal and consequent murder of the Son of God — was part of God’s saving plan. That’s explicitly said in Acts 4:27–28, that by his hand and his predestination these things took place.
In other words, the lesson of Judas is that the most horrible sins in the world are used by God for his saving purposes. Just when people think they’re getting the upper hand, they find that their hand is serving the very one they are opposing. That’s a great lesson for us to learn.
The betrayal of Jesus fulfilled one of the many Old Testament prophecies about Him: “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9, ESV), and we know that nothing would stop God’s perfect plan. King David closed out Psalm 41 this way:
By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.
Psalm 41:11-13 (ESV)
Think about this today: if God could use Judas Iscariot when he betrayed Jesus, how can He use us when we’re obedient to Him?
Father, thank You for having a plan that nothing can stop. Thank You that Your plan serves to bring You glory. May we be obedient to You today, and may we bring glory to You as a result. In Jesus name, Amen.
Photo by Amelia Spink on Unsplash