Judas — So Close But So Far Away

Who was Judas Iscariot, the man who walked so close but so far away from Jesus Christ? What can his life teach us? Perhaps as we look at the character traits of Judas, we will discover God’s road map, guiding us past pitfalls, no-go zones, and rough passages, all of which He desires for us to avoid.

During winter on the Canadian prairies, road conditions often change by the minute. Everyone who lives in this area checks two sources before travelling — the Weather Network and the Highway Hotline. These helpful resources identify upcoming storm systems, danger zones, and road closures. Sometimes, travel must be avoided altogether. Other times choosing an alternate route helps us everyone avoid problems ahead.

In our Christian journey, we may look back at the spiritual distance we have travelled and see the incredible progress we have made — at battles fought and victories won. Yet, when we consider the high calling of Jesus Christ, we may feel so close and yet so far away from where God is ultimately leading us. No need to worry! He has equipped us with the Bible as a reliable road map and the Holy Spirit to help us discern the spiritual dynamics around us.

Judas the Disciple

We first meet Judas as an apostle of Jesus. After spending all night in prayer, Jesus chose twelve men (Luke 6:12-16). These twelve, His inner circle, heard secrets beyond Jesus’ public teaching. Jesus empowered them to cast out demons and heal every sickness through His Name. They sacrificed their reputations, businesses, and inheritances to become followers of Jesus. For three years, these men shared the suffering of rejection and self-denial. Jesus handpicked each one of them for divine purpose. This was an ordinary band of fellows chosen for an extraordinary task!

Am I the only one amazed at the disciple’s response when Jesus spoke of His betrayal at the hands of one of “them?” Not an outsider! One of “them!” After all they had been through, how could any of His closest, most trusted friends turn on their Messiah, the Savior of the world?

The Gospel of Luke says, “They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.” John recounts, “His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.” “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” For once they didn’t point fingers across the table. They were each too busy examining their own fickle hearts and finding them lacking. No one, not even Judas, stood out as the obvious betrayer. They all knew their potential to be that one.

They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”
Matthew 26:22

Judas the Betrayer

Eleven disciples questioned their personal devotion to Jesus. One held his secret as tightly as the money bag clutched between his finger. Half secrets morphed into bold faced lies.

“Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.”
Luke 22:3-6

Satan has no authority over a child of God unless that person opens the door for his entry. Judas opened the way for demonic influences long before his visit with those who “were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus” (Luke 22:2). He went. Then he discussed a plan of betrayal. He consented to this devious act like he had consented to many others before.

” … he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.”
John 12:6

While one woman in lavish worship poured expensive perfume “on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair” (John 12:3), Judas scoffed and criticized. Every Gospel records the extravagance of her love and devotion to Jesus (Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8). For Judas, however, this misunderstood worship triggered him to rebellion and betrayal. As the fragrance of worship filled the room, those present either joined in worship or turned away in disgust. Judas, so close but so far away from Jesus, chose the latter.

Pure worship always causes immeasurable distress to darkened hearts.

Judas Ploughs Ahead

The wheels of destruction shifted into full motion before Judas realized the consequences of his decisions. We may believe that it is never too late to turn to Jesus. Judas may prove otherwise. Even in his last moments with Jesus, our Lord offered Judas an open avenue of grace. Judas’ feet were already firmly set upon the path of selfish and rash choices. Now, he would not, and as such could not, receive the mercy of God available to him. The highway of habitual self-indulgence brought him to a bitter end.

Paul, in writing to the Roman church, describes the downward spiral,

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
Romans 1:21

Judas had opened the door to demonic influence, creating his own demise.

• Dishonesty and materialism: Judas mismanaged finances and stole money from the ministry to satisfy his greed, valuing material over spiritual things.
• Imitation and impersonation: Pretense and giving the image of being someone he was not, fueled Judas’ jealousy and denied his ability for authentic devotion to Jesus Christ.
• A double life of betrayal and secrecy: While Judas appeared to be a “friend,” even to the last kiss on Jesus’ cheek, he showed no empathy (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-50; John 18:3-12).
• Willingness to trample on or destroy others: To achieve personal goals, Judas turned away from divine truth and embraced worldly desires.
• Refusal to take responsibility for actions: In the grip of remorse and shame, Judas chose to take his own life, rather than confess to God and others, renounce sin, and deal with the core issues of his heart (Matthew 27:3-5; Acts 1:18).

God’s Roadmap

May we learn the lessons of Judas. We, too, may be so close but so far away for Jesus. We can wear the Christian mask, serve in a local church, lead a prayer meeting, and still be far from the heart of the Father.

God gives us the perfect roadmap to avoid every pitfall and danger zone that Judas failed to acknowledge or heed.

“Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness.”
James 3:13

Godly wisdom will keep us from opening portals for the enemy’s influence. It will lead us to live sacrificially, doing what is right and taking the low road of obedience and reverence. Wisdom and humility always lead to purity and submission to God’s will.

God’s roadmap welcomes us into committed and authentic relationships for the good of others, rather than using people to satisfy personal desires, goals, and objectives. The Holy Spirit enables us to abandon self-protection and self-preservation — preferring to meet the needs of others with genuine love and empathy. People we encounter feel empowered and energized by our presence, because we bring the life of Jesus into every relationship.

Holy conviction, by God’s grace, gives us the courage to honestly face our shortcomings and outright sins. It leads us to true repentance, giving us willingness to take responsibility for our actions rather than cast the blame on others.

Though Judas walked with Jesus for three years, he was never truly with Jesus! May we take heed lest we, too, come so close but so far away for the very mercy and grace we all need.

Prayer

Jesus, we cry for mercy!
Mercy, Lord! Mercy for ourselves and those around us who both willingly and unwillingly have opened doors for enemy access to hearts, minds, and souls. May we see Your hand of grace extended and fall on our knees before You in complete surrender and submission to Your will and ways.
Lord, we renounce every form of lies and deception … every pretense, imitation, and impersonation … we move beyond remorse and shame into Your open arms of redemption, choosing life rather than death.
You are our only help and hope, Lord.
Give us divine insight into wherever the spirit of Judas has and is operating in our lives and in the lives of others. We ask for divine wisdom, understanding, gentleness, and tenderness. May we be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves in this hour (Matthew 10:16).
Guard our hearts against deception and the delusion of materialism. We break every agreement with selfish desire and renounce impure motives. We choose today to cut off every alignment with the enemy’s purpose to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
O, Lord! We plead mercy.
Show Yourself strong among us. Uproot every strand of Judas-like influence in and through us.
“For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way, since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God …” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
O, Lord! Mercy!

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