Let the Shepherd Lead

Intro:

• For any child who grew up in the 1980s an announcement came this week that was stunning. Toys R Us was to close its remaining stores and liquidate their assets.
• As if on cue Toys R Us founder Charles Lazarus died within days of the announcement.
• Lazarus had founded the stores so that when a child or parent walked in, it would be an unforgettable experience.
  • There was a long hallway filled with shopping carts leading into the store to make it seem that an endless number of shoppers and toys were inside.
  • The long entrance hallway allowed anticipation to build, but the hallway out of the store was always shorter so that you could get home to play with the toys faster (or so we thought).
  • The shelves were stocked from floor to ceiling with every imaginable toy and as the jingle said, from bikes to trains to video games. It was uncanny how the stores seemed to not only have what a child was looking for, but also had so much more.
  • Even for parents they sold diapers and other items related to children at a great discount.
  • In order to make money they had to understand the toy trends, so they were one of the first stores to have a computer system that tracked how great the demand was for each toy item.
• As a child that grew up during that time, I can attest to the extreme treat it was for my parents to tell us that we would be going to Toys R Us.

Hook:

• So what made Toys R Us come to the point of bankruptcy and closure of all its stores?
  • Toys R Us failed because it relied upon the concept that it was the only place in town that had toys. Walmart, Target and Amazon all became large competitors.
  • Toys R Us failed because its prices were no longer as competitive.
  • But most important Toy R Us failed because it betrayed its mission of being a destination and experience that children and parents saw as unique.
• Can the same be true of us as believers?
  • Can we fail because we rely upon false beliefs?
  • Can we fail because we cannot compete?
  • Can we fail because we betray our purpose and mission?
• Today, I want to share with you the tragic lessons that we can learn from Jesus’ failed disciple, Judas Iscariot.

Message Points:

• John Macarthur tells us that the account of Judas Iscariot’s “dark story is a poignant example of the depths to which the human heart is capable of sinking…” further, he “stands as a warning about the evil potential of spiritual carelessness, squandered opportunity, sinful lusts, and hardness of heart.” (TOM, 181-182)
• Macarthur’s point is important to us, because it is a reminder that even in a room full of people who profess Christ, it is still vital to possess a relationship with Christ.
• Why? That is our 1st point today. Every believer will fail to follow Jesus at some point.
  • Notice that the name Judas is one that comes from the name Judah. As we said with Thaddeus who shared this name, Judas was a name with a great deal of national pride for Israel, meaning       praise the Lord. It recently had been the name of Judas Maccabaeus one of the leaders that formed an independent Jewish state for a number of years.
  • Iscariot as a surname was a way of indicating Judas’ hometown. The first two letters of the name “Is” is an abbreviation of the Hebrew word for man “ish”. The last letters “cariot” refer to the town of Kerioth Hezron mentioned in Joshua 15:25 as a part of the allotment to Judah.
  • Judas was the only non-Galilean who was chosen to be a part of the twelve, but his hometown was similar to the rest of the disciples, a small village in Judah rather than Galilee. The only difference was the clear heritage of the town.
  • We even know that Judas’ father was named Simon from John 6:71. Should we have known Judas as Ben-Simon or son of Simon no eyebrows would have been raised. His father shared a name with Simon Peter and Simon the Zealot.
  • This made Judas like many others in Israel at the time, some even in the Twelve – a Jew with a long heritage looking for an revival of the Jewish state.
  • As we turn our attention to our text, notice that when Jesus says in verse 21 that one of them would betray him, none of the disciples acted like they knew it was Judas.
    • After all Judas had been a part of their group. He was trusted so greatly that they made him the treasurer, carrying the moneybag.
    • He had stuck around when the crowds left in John 6 after Jesus challenged them to seek more than a miracle.
    • While we do not know all of his motives, Judas did follow Jesus.
  • On the other hand, Jesus knew Judas would betray Him.
    • Not only did Jesus know Judas’ inner struggle, but he knew the Scriptures prophesied a betrayer.
    • Psalm 41:9 says, “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.”
    • Psalm 55:12-14 also says, “If an enemy were insulting me I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshippers.”
    • Jesus knew the Scripture foretold Judas’ betrayal, but He never sought to force Judas to betray him. That is why the NIV 84’s translation of verse 25 is so poor. The footnote is much better, because it reminds us that Jesus acknowledged Judas’ choice, but did not force it.
    • Jesus spent three years offering him the same gospel that he offered the others as an act of his sheer grace.
    • Judas was present with the disciples in the upper room through the point when Jesus washed his disciples feet. Jesus wanted Judas to know that forgiveness and cleansing was available even to him.
    • This is a perfect storm of divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
  • You see Jesus is not looking for perfect disciples.
    • Every believer will fail Jesus sometime, so if perfection were required He would have none of us.
    • But perfection is not the mark. Jesus is not even looking for superior disciples. Look at the other disciples in verse 22.
      • They examine their hearts. Each one thinks of ways they failed Jesus.
        • Peter may have been thinking about his brash rebuke of Jesus for predicting his death.
        • James and John may have been convicted about their willingness to call down fire.
        • Andrew may have been thinking about all of the times he had gone along willingly with bad ideas. Phillip may have considered how often he focused on the details rather than the Master.
        • Nathanael must have immediately considered his comment of prejudice against Nazareth, and Simon the Zealot must have been convicted of his hatred of Rome.
        • Matthew would immediately been racked with guilt over his theft as a tax collector and James the Lesser may have been convicted about his inferiority.
        • Thomas and Thaddeus alike may have considered how often they questioned Jesus rather than simply believed Him.
      • They all become sad.
      • Then they ask if it would be them. These men possessed a relationship with the Lord and desired greatly to make sure they were right with Him.
    • That is what Jesus requires of those who would be His disciples.
      • Do not forget that Peter denied Christ and betrayed him as well. The rest of the Twelve abandoned and betrayed him as well, with only John following at a distance all the way to the cross. But each of them sought out a relationship with their risen Lord.
      • Jesus requires only that we would seek a relationship with Him, failures and all.
      • That is what he reminded them all that night, even Judas.
    • This week that is before us is called Holy Week. Holiness means to be set apart.
      • If you would be Jesus’ disciple, set yourself apart this week.
      • Examine your heart, confess your sin, and turn to seek Jesus.
      • Judas was present when Jesus washed their feet, but by the celebration of the Lord’s Supper he had departed. Do not be left out because of your unbelief.
    • Do not end up as Judas, a professer, but not a possesser.
• This leads us to consider our 2nd point: A betrayer fails to believe the promises of the gospel.
  • Jesus seeks to make his reminder more pointed for Judas in verse 23. He indicates that he who dips in the bowl with him would be the betrayer. Still, any disciple could easily do this so Judas’ façade is intact.
  • In verse 24 Jesus points out clearly what the Scripture says about a betrayer, but also notice that He points out what will happen to Him.
  • Three times Jesus has predicted his death for sinners and resurrection to life in Matthew 8:20, Matthew 16:21; and in Matthew 20:19.
  • Jesus’ prediction is the core of the gospel.
    • Jesus would take the place of sinners as a substitute. He would be punished for their sin upon the cross and face death and hell for them.
    • Jesus would raise to new life and give that eternal life to every sinner who had faith in Him as Savior and Lord.
  • But Judas failed to believe these things about Jesus.
    • Just a few verses earlier in Matthew, we read about Jesus’ anointing at Bethany.
    • In Matthew’s very honest account he admits that all the disciples were indignant when the equivalent of a full years wages was wasted to anoint a living Messiah’s dust covered feet.
    • Mark too records this account and tells us that others in the room were also upset.
    • But John gets very personal.
      • We read that it was Mary, Lazaras’ sister         who annointed Jesus.
        • Mary who had seen Jesus raise her beloved brother, knew that Jesus had the power to raise the dead.
        • She very likely had heard the same predictions of Jesus about his upcoming death and resurrection.
        • She chose to show Him her total commitment and belief in His power to save with this simple act of love.
      • We also read that it was Judas who led the charge to condemn her.
        • This is the first time in all the gospels that Judas speaks and it is appalling.
        • John tells us that Judas’ inner thoughts of disillusionment and betrayal finally surfaced in this moment.
        • He led the other disciples and people in the room to speak against this act of faith on the part of Mary.
        • He did so under the deceitful guise of concern for the poor, but John makes sure that we know that He kept the moneybag, and when accounts were settled after his death, He had helped himself to what was in it.
    • Even at this very clear betrayal, Jesus does not attack Judas, or sternly rebuke him as he does with Simon Peter, James or John.
      • Jesus simply defends Mary, telling them to leave her alone.
      • He affirms the desire to care for the poor, but also makes it clear that this is not the time for that.
      • He then tells them that this is the time to draw close to Jesus, while he is with them.
    • Jesus offers Judas the same gospel love and choice to follow Him that he offers everyone.
    • Today, that offer is available to you.
      • No matter how much you have betrayed Jesus, you do not have to continue.
      • Jesus is offering to you the same gospel promises that he has offered to generations of failures and betrayers before you.
      • Will you believe the gospel?
        • It is as turning to believe two promises of Jesus.
        • The first promise Jesus makes to you is that if you confess you sin and need for Christ, which is called repentance, Jesus will forgive and cleanse you.
        • The second promise of Jesus is that if you trust Jesus he will lead you to have a new, eternal life. This is called faith.
        • Decide, right now, to draw close to Jesus while he is calling in this moment.
          • You may feel conviction, or the sense that you have done wrong to Jesus or to others.
          • Do not be afraid to come to Jesus. Satan wants you to believe that you are so guilty that Jesus will never forgive you.
          • 1 John 1:9 assures us that conviction from the Holy Spirit is not meant to push you away from Jesus, but to motivate you to come towards Him for forgiveness, cleansing, and a new direction for your life.
• Judas felt the conviction, but chose instead to turn away from Jesus.
  • Matthew and Mark tells us that right after the anointing at Bethany Judas made his appointment with the High Priests.
  • Apparently Jesus’ gentle rebuke was the moment when Judas disillusionment overwhelmed and his willingness to tolerate Jesus’ insistent call for repentance and faith failed.
    • This is important to remember. The same gospel that makes some hearts tender enough to surrender to Christ makes others so hardened that they will do anything to betray Christ.
    • Luke’s gospel in 22:3 tells us that Satan entered Judas.
      • While we might think this verse excuses Judas, what this phrase implies is that Judas willingly gave into Satan’s temptations.
      • Satan wants to deceive all of us and will tempt us. When we give in, we become distracted and disillusioned.
      • Satan directly challenges the call of Christ by tempting us to focus on self and disbelieve the gospel.
    • This is our 3RD point: A betrayer fails to respond to Christ with a tender heart.
  • He sold Jesus to them for thirty pieces of silver just as Zechariah foretold. Thirty pieces of silver was the price of a common slave according to Exodus 21:32.
  • Matthew’s gospel also tells us in 20:16 that Judas then began to watch for an opportunity to turn Jesus over. Luke 22:6 says that he looked for a time when no crowd was present.
  • Thus at the moment in verse 25 when Judas spoke again to ask, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus knew that this was a cover and not a genuine reflection of a tender heart.
  • This apparently troubled Jesus greatly. In John 13:21 we read that Jesus was troubled in spirit.
    • Jus as Jesus is troubled by the hardness of our hearts, he was troubled by the hardness of Judas’ heart.
      • Jesus did not hate Judas. He loved Him.
      • Jesus did not want Judas to face the fate of a betrayer. He wanted to offered him eternal life.
      • Though Jesus knew Judas was foretold to betray him, Jesus wanted better for him.
      • If we could have a window into Jesus’ mind and his desires, I think we would see Judas returning to him like Peter did, tender and believing the gospel.
    • He took no pleasure in seeing Judas fulfill these Scriptures. We can see this in how he responds when He dips in the bowl with Judas.
      • In verse 27 of John 13 Jesus tells Judas, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
      • Though Jesus had clearly identified Judas as the betrayer in the following verses, no one thought it was him.
      • Perhaps the others assumed that he would fail, just as they had examined their own hearts and seen their failure.
      • John says that at the moment when Jesus gave the instruction to do it quickly most thought he was going to buy something for the feast or to do a good deed for the poor as was custom at Passover.
      • Again in John 13:27 we read that at this moment Satan entered Judas.
        • So in other words Judas gave in and at this point arranged Jesus’ betrayal.
        • His heart was even more hardened and he was ready to turn Jesus over to the authorities.
        • But Jesus did not want to linger on this disciple’s failure.
  • From this moment, Judas decides to indicate Jesus to the troops with a kiss.
    • A kiss was a sign of fellowship.
    • In Romans 16:16, 1 Cor 16:20, 2 Cor. 13:12, 1 Thess. 5:26, and 1 Peter 5:14, the New Testament instructs believers were told to greet one another with a holy kiss.
    • With this sign Judas was to betray Jesus.
    • John’s gospel in chapter 18:4-5 when the soldiers arrive we are told that Jesus actually steps forward asking their purpose, and admitting that He is the one that they seek.
    • Even with this admission, according to Matthew 26:49, Judas hardened in his heart came up to Jesus, greeted Him as rabbi, and kissed him.
    • But notice what Jesus says in verse 50. Jesus says, Do what you came for… but then still calls Judas friend. Remember that Jesus said there is no greater love than one who would lay down his life for his friends. Judas was Jesus’ friend.
    • I believe it is there that Jesus offers Judas one last opportunity to follow Him. Even a betrayer, Jesus can call a friend – if they would turn and believe.

Conclusion:

• Like so many other stories of failure, Judas did not turn back from the course he set for himself.
  • In Matthew 27:3-4 he tries to buy Jesus back from the Sanhedrin with the coins they gave to him. He tried to handle the situation himself rather than trust in Jesus’ forgiveness.
  • Verse 5 tells us he then threw down the silver, fulfilling Zechariah 11:12-14.
  • Seeing no other way, verse 5 tells us that Judas, chose to end his life rather than soften his heart towards Christ’s promise by calling him Friend.
  • The chief priests used the money to purchase in Judas’ name a field as a burial ground according to verses 6-10 and this fulfilled Jeremiah’s prediction that the silver would be used to buy a potter’s field. That field was called the field of blood.
  • Acts 1:18 further tells us that Judas in that same field purchased for him selected a tree and hanged himself. The rope or branch must have broken, because his lifeless corpse fell and burst open spilling his insides out.
• But you do not have to share Judas’ fate. Turn today to Christ. Become tender to His call and follow Him.