The Unsafe House

Judas reminds us God’s house cannot always be safe.

The story of Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus to his death, does not offer us a safe, middle of the road subject to discuss. Some insist Jesus could not have meant it when He said, “It would have been better had that man never been born” (Mark 14:21).

Judas was one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus upon whom He would build His Church. Along with the others, Judas heard the greatest teaching, had a part in the healings, the casting out of devils and the other wonders (Matt 10:1). Yet in the end, he turned.

Jesus had just argued with his disciples because a woman had honored Him, pouring costly oil on His head. The disciples said the oil could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus said no, she had done Him a good thing. Then Judas went out and betrayed Him (Mark 14:3-10). Money is an issue for some. Judas may also have known how the deepest wounds to the bravest heart can only come from the closest friend. Like the psalmist said, “For it is not an enemy, . . . that, I could endure, . . . But it is you, my . . . close . . . friend” (Ps 55:12-14).

But In the end, no matter the reason, to do the deed against his teacher for thirty pieces of silver, Judas had to silence his conscience in a way no one else had ever had to. He would become the only man to betray the only perfect man. That is why when he was sorry for what he did, he did not receive the pardon God might have given him. He had lost what it took to ask for it (Matt 27:3-5). Thus, he was damned in a way we can only guess at.

People like Judas are common. Some will even go to Church.

Both the Southern Baptist Convention and the Catholic Church, two large and diverse branches of the Christian Faith, have been stung by scandals of late, women and children being the victims. Both found within their ranks the same horror Jesus found in His. The depth of the evil though, the broad failure of the shepherds to protect the flock from wolves (Matt 7:15; Acts 20:29) was great in both.

Judas gives church leaders, laity and the larger world two things. A label to be used and a lesson to be learned. For those who say they are faithful but are not and who prey upon those who trust them, the label of Judas works just fine.

Churches battle for the hearts of both sinner and saint each week. Sometimes they lose (John 17:12). There are risks when we teach great things. For those who have been hurt in God’s House, the lesson is this. After Jesus rose from the dead, He “came and stood among them,” referring to His disciples, on “the first day of the week,” (John 20:19).

Or He was back in church on Sunday.

Started: Aug 16, 2022

Posted on blog Sept 3, 2022

Revised, and sent to JH Oct 17, 2022