John 13:21
After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
Do you ever “feel like a Judas” for something you have done? Do you struggle with feelings of guilt over past sins? Do you ever think Jesus looks at you as his modern-day Judas? Unfortunately, too many pastors and churches preach a guilt-ridden message of obedience as if every one of the congregants is a potential Judas that needs to be dealt with before they “betray” their Lord and Savior. They are happy to put their sheep back on the treadmill of works-based righteousness, thereby enslaving them to feelings of guilt…and even betrayal.
You are not a modern-day Judas.
Jesus was not “troubled in his spirit” because he was surprised by the betrayal…but because he grieved over Judas’ sin. This was a disciple who had walked and talked with Jesus for three years yet was willing to pad his own pocket from the group’s moneybag and eventually turn his teacher over to the Jewish authorities for thirty pieces of silver, or roughly the value of a slave. Jesus was not shocked by Judas’ actions and he is not taken aback by any of your sin. He’s well aware of what you have done, and he already knows what sins you will commit today, tomorrow, and every day until your dying breath. You are fully known AND fully loved.
You are not a modern-day Judas.
Don’t get me wrong. Sin is still a big deal for a born-again Christian. Jesus said that if we love him, we will keep his commands (Jn. 14:15). We are called to pursue holiness and the Lord expects us to pursue that vigorously (1 Peter 1:15). Yet, the bible is remarkably honest in its dealings with fallen mankind and God’s mercy and grace always triumphs in the lives of his Children…even when he has to chastise them. Jesus (and the Holy Spirit) grieves when we sin, but that grief is never condemnation. God will convict you of your sin, but he will never condemn you (Rom. 8:1). It is critical that you know the difference.
The devil is an accuser and seeks to have you condemned in the eyes of God…and he works that angle day and night (Rev. 12:10). Do you know how that feels? Have you heard the enemy saying:
“You call yourself a Christian?”
“If they knew what I knew…”
“You so-called ‘Christians’ are such hypocrites!”
“How can you call yourself his follower and still do that?”
“You probably aren’t even saved!”
God never condemns His own children. In fact, he can’t. It would be a violation of our justification through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus and the Lord is not capable of doing that. One thing God can’t do is contradict himself. So, even though you may see yourself (falsely) as a Judas, God never does. He can’t. And that should reassure you of his immeasurable love for you and the truly amazing grace of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
You are not a modern-day Judas!
