Mark E. Larson Who Was Responsible for the Death of Jesus? Lesson One: Judas Iscariot the Traitor Introduction: Who was responsible for the death of Jesus? Many people played a pivotal role: Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus; the Roman soldiers who violently scourged and crucified Jesus; Pontius Pilate who gave authorization for Him to be killed; The Jewish leaders who plotted against Him and the Jews themselves who cried out: “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Ultimately, everyone has played a role in the sense that it was our sins that brought Him to the cross: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities...” (Isa. 53:5a). In this sermon, we take a closer look at the role that Judas Iscariot played to have Jesus killed and the lessons his role teaches us today. I. Judas the Traitor. A. Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve men chosen by Jesus to be His apostles. i. In the list of the twelve chosen, Judas is listed last with the infamous description: “Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor” (Luke 6:12-16; Mat. 10:2-4) (a person who betrays another, a cause, a trust” - RHD). a) “Judas Iscariot who also betrayed Him” (Mark 3:13-19). ii. The name Judas in many languages is a synonym for betrayer or traitor (betray - “play Judas” - RHD e.g. soldiers that deserted the battlefield). iii. Jesus knew who who would betray Him (John 6:64, 70-71). a) Jesus even confronted Judas directly about it (Mat. 26:25). B. Judas' chose to betray Jesus. i. Some question if Judas should be held responsible at all. After all, people reason, if Jesus had to die, then somebody had to betray him: a) “Judas was an instrument used by God to accomplish His purposes. It was his destiny and Judas couldn't help himself.” (cf. Luther, Calvin). ii. It was prophesied a thousand years before Jesus' crucifixion that the Messiah would be betrayed (John 13:18; Ps. 41:9). a) Prophecy does not take away free will in which a person has no choice. Rather, it is God's power to foresee in future what we will do. b) Satan could not have “entered him” had Judas not given in to temptation (John 13:21-27; Lk 22:3; cf. 1 Cor. 10:13; James 1:13-15). c) The devil had planted the seed of betrayal into Judas' heart (Jn 13:1-2; cf. 1 Cor 11:23). His heart received it because he chose to receive it. C. Out of a covetous heart, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus. i. We learn of Judas' greedy heart in the account in Bethany where Jesus was anointed by Mary with very costly oil (John 12:1-3). a) His hidden character as a greedy thief is revealed (Jn 12:3-6; 13:29). b) Judas' greed for money was so great that he was willing to betray Jesus in order to obtain it (Mark 14:10-11). c) Judas agrees to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Mt 26:15; ransom price of slave) which was barely a third of the value of that costly oil! ii. The lust for money and material gain can easily corrupt the hearts of people and lead to much wickedness (1 Tim. 6:9-10). a) Judas' greed did “drown” him in destruction and eternal damnation. D. Judas Iscariot betrays the Son of Man with a kiss (Luke 22:48). 1 Mark E. Larson i. Judas, with the backing of soldiers and guards, went to where he knew Jesus would be to arrest Him (John 18:1-3). ii. Judas identifies Jesus not by pointing Him out, but by kissing him! Judas perverts this sign of friendship into a sign of betrayal! (Mat. 26:47-50). II. “What Are You Willing to Give Me?” (Mat. 26:14-16). A. “Everybody has a price.” i. Judas spent 3 years with Jesus and betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver! ii. We are shocked and dismayed how one of Jesus' own disciples could sell out His Master Teacher for money, no matter the amount. iii. Yet, the reality is most people are no better than Judas! a) “What are you willing to give me?” It seems that almost “everybody has his/her price.” What is yours? b) The question may sound harsh, yet many betray Jesus everyday. iv. What is it that you value above all else that you are willing to turn your back on Jesus for it? “Everybody has a price.” What's yours? a) Riches, possessions, a life of luxury? (Mt 19:21-22; Lk 16:19ff; 12:15) b) Power and control over others? (Mat. 4:8-9; 3 John 9 / 1 Pet. 5:3). c) Popularity, approval, and praise from men? (John 12:42-43) d) Good looks or beauty? (2 Sam. 14:25; Ezek. 16:15; Prov. 31:30) e) Good health? (Job 2:4-9ff; 1 Tim. 4:7-8) f) Family and/or friendship? (Mat. 10:34-39) g) Sports, recreation, entertainment, etc. Name your price! v. Money, not Jesus, was Judas' master and lord (Mat. 6:24). No one can be devoted to God and “mammon” at the same time and be saved. a) In your life, who is your Master? Who is most important to you? What is your most valuable treasure? If not Jesus, you have sold Him out! b) To continue to practice any kind of sin is to “trample the Son of God” under your foot! - Is it a betrayal! (Heb. 10:26-29) • Religious hypocrisy is “the way of Judas”! (2 Peter 2; Luke 6:46) c) Those that fall away from Christ and reject God's word and Holy Spirit may eventually crucify Jesus all over again! (Heb. 6:4-6). B. Ultimately, Judas sold his own soul, not Christ, for money. a) “Still as of old, by himself is priced. For thirty pieces Judas sold himself, not Christ.” - Old English adage ii. There is no worse fate than to lose your soul for all eternity (Mt. 26:24- 25; “It would have been better for that man if he had not been born”). a) Judas could have heeded Jesus' warning, but instead he chose the path of sin that led to the perishing of his soul (John 17:12; cf. Luke 13:3). iii. Judas felt remorse for betraying Jesus, even returning the silver and confessing his sin to relieve his guilty conscience (Mat. 27:3-5). a) Judas could have been forgiven had he returned to the Lord, but instead He ended his life and condemned his soul for all eternity. iv. Judas received “the wages of iniquity” and it cost him his soul! (Acts 1:18-20; Rom. 6:23; cf. Mat. 27:6-10). a) What would you give in exchange for your soul? (Mat. 16:24-27). 2.