May 9, 2021
Scripture Reading John 6:60-71
This passage presents the reader with a puzzling question. John 6:60 says that "Jesus knew from the beginning . . . who it was who would betray him." And in John 6:70 Jesus says, "Did not I choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil." The natural question is this: If Jesus knew, from the beginning, that Judas would betray Him, why did He choose him to be one of His twelve apostles?
Unless the Bible clearly states why Jesus did the things He did, answering the question 'why' must be done with caution. The Bible does, however, give us indications as to some Biblical truths that are revealed in Jesus' choosing of Judas.
(1) The Scriptures are utterly reliable. Both John 13:18 and Acts 1:16,17 point to prophetic Scripture being fulfilled by Jesus choosing Judas, a betrayer.
(2) God has so designed His creation that sinful acts serve to accomplish His plan. The betrayal of Christ was part of God's saving plan. Acts 2:23; 4:27,28 clearly spell this out.
(3) Someone can be very religious and yet not trust in Christ. Judas lived with Jesus for three years and was even given miracle-working power (Mt 10:1-4) and yet he was a thief from the beginning (Jn 12:4-6).
(4) Divine sovereignty does not preclude human responsibility. The plan for the betrayal and crucifixion of Christ was put in place before the world was created and yet Jesus speaks of the woeful judgment of the one who betrayed Him. "The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born" (Mt 26:24). God's unalterable plan did not absolve Judas from his guilt. Judas did exactly what he wanted to do concerning Jesus, and God's plan was inexorably carried out.