So close and yet so far away.
One thing that really strikes me in the story of Jesus and Judas at the Last Supper is how close Judas is in one sense and yet how far away.The painting above was done by an artist named Pascal Dagnan-Bouveret, (January 7, 1852 – 1929). Notice the disciple to Jesus’ left (our right). I don’t have a catalogue of characters in the painting but I think this is Judas, which would be accurate to the Biblical story. Everyone else has their eyes on Christ but this disciple stares straight ahead. He’s so close and yet so far away.
For those who believe in Christ, there is a promise that, as Jesus said, he will never leave us. He walks with us and lives in us by his Holy Spirit. However while he may be more than close to us we can be far from him in our awareness, our thoughts, and our feelings. This painting reminds me of something Alexander MacLaren said in relation to the story of the prodigal son. He commented; “The far country is easily reached; and it is far, though a step can land us in it.”
Larry is the senior pastor at 
I have always struggled with Judas and the idea that he was predestined to betray Christ. If this was his only purpose for being, and if there was never any hope for him to choose differently, it just seems so bleak. That God would create someone only to fulfill a role which would presumably result in them spending an eternity in hell doesn’t seem to fit with the heart of Christ. From the sermon this morning it seems like you are saying that Judas may have had a choice in the matter. Am I understanding that right? Perhaps I am just looking for an easy answer, but I would be interested if you would elaborate on that thought.
Hey Sharon, I believe that predestination (God’s sovereignty) and human responsibility are compatible in a way that exceeds our understanding. As for Judas’ choice, I believe that our choices and God’s plans are somehow interwoven.So while it was God’s plan for Judas to betray Jesus, it was also, at the same time, what Judas choose to do and that choice was real. How this all works out is a mystery. But we should not be surprised at the mysteries we encounter when dealing with God.
Psalm 145:9 says: The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
Romans 11:33 says: Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Accepting this mystery is not an “easy answer” it’s just the way things really are.
I don’t know if I’m correct in this but I’ve always felt like Judas realized he was wrong. I guessed I always hoped that he repented. That of course could be my emotions. What do you think?
Matt. 27:3-5
3Then when(F) Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus[a] was condemned,(G) he changed his mind and brought back(H) the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us?(I) See to it yourself.” 5And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple,(J) he departed, and he went and hanged himself.
Kelli,
That’s a good point…I didn’t think about that. After all, he was not the only one to betray God. If he was, none of us would need redemption.
Great blog! Got a lot out of it!
Kelli, it is true that Matthew says Judas was “seized with remorse” but I think that is different than true repentance. Scripture talks about true and false repentance.
2 Corinthians 7:10 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Judas’ “remorse” led to regret and death by suicide not to authentic repentance.
Consider these Scriptures also. I think they indicate that Judas was lost.
John 17:12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
John 6:64-65 &70-71 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. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.” 70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)
It’s sad but that’s part of the story.
That makes sense. Thanks!
I really like this painting and its association with the message in the bible. I feel like Judas at times and at others like the other disciples that are looking to Him. I really like your answer about predestination and human responsibility and how they are beyond our understanding. There was a moment in my life where I couldn’t understand why something happened. I was saddened by it. I questioned, “How could this be?”, “Why does it happen?”, then in my mind I envisioned God being deeply saddened by what happened, even more so than myself. It was comforting to see this and to me it means that I will never completely understand why things happen, but that we do have our own choices and that God lives with those choices, too.
Larry, how do find security and peace in such an alarming passage?
Saul, I’m not exactly sure which passage your are asking about. Do you mean John 6? If so the peace and security doesn’t come from this verses I quoted n answer to Kelli’s question (John 6:64-65 &70-71 ) but from verses like John 6:35 ff. I hope that’s helpful.