Following Jesus 53

Jesus knew what kind of man Judas Iscariot was. Immediately following Jesus’ gathering with the disciples’ hours prior to His crucifixion, He prayed. This is referred to as Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. Is found in John 17. 

 

While praying, Jesus shared this thought to God the Father regarding His disciples. “While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12 ESV).

 

Several things may be observed in this text. To begin with, Jesus speaks of keeping His disciples. This means to guard and retain. In so doing, none of those who the Father gave to Jesus in order to become His disciples would be lost. With one exception: Judas Iscariot described as the “son of destruction.” 

 

The only recorded words by Judas are found in John 12:1-6. John reveals Judas’ true character.

 

“Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” (John 12:1-8 ESV)