Mistakes were Made: The Journey of Judas Iscariot, Son of Simon

When we want to acknowledge poor handling of a situation, without truly admitting guilt or assigning blame, we might say... 'mistakes were made'.  Judas Iscariot journeyed on that path.  The man that all four Gospels distinguished as the "betrayer" or something equally loathsome, ultimately regretted what happened.  But Judas never embraced the contrition that leads to grace and mercy.  Let's follow the journey of Judas to see where 'mistakes were made' because it is an important cautionary tale!

Judas Iscariot, Picked by Jesus

Mark 3:13-19 details when Jesus called those he wanted and appointed the twelve.  The twelve would be Jesus' posse, empowered to preach the good news and drive out demons.  Matthew 10 records when Jesus sent his twelve out to heal disease and sickness, trusting in God for their provision.  From the beginning, these men would share Jesus' greatest sermons, awe-inspiring miracles, and most lopsided victories over the religious elites.  And Judas Iscariot, Son of Simon was right there!

Choices and Intentions

Our intentions rarely live up to God's expectations for the things he has entrusted to us.  Judas started well enough but perhaps became enamored with his own ambitions and pursuits.  One of Judas' failings was recorded in John 12.  Jesus, soon to be crucified, dined with his friends Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.  His disciples dined as well.  In gratitude, (and prophetically), Mary took expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus' feet.  In an act of humility, she then wiped his feet with her hair.

Judas was indignant (sounding a little like the religious leaders).  "Why wasn't this perfume sold and given to the poor?"  The Bible explains that Judas cared little for the poor, but he skimmed money from the group's meager holdings while acting as the treasurer.  Upon being admonished by Jesus, could Judas have reflected on his motivations and made a change?

Thirty Pieces of Silver

All of the Gospels recorded the last supper.  At that supper, Jesus announced one of his twelve would betray him.  Would this have been a good time for Judas to repent?  Besides breaking bread with Jesus, Judas also experienced the humility and exultation of the master washing the feet of his followers.  John 13 recorded what happened.  How could Judas contain his thoughts, knowing he had thirty pieces of silver stashed away somewhere--and at the same time--Jesus kneeled before him to wash his feet!

Judas had so many opportunities to turn from his wicked ways and step aside from his journey of "mistakes".  Instead, he stuck to the plan and agreement, and betrayed Jesus with a kiss.  The most famous kiss in the history of mankind!  

Not long after that demonic act, the demons that influenced Judas to betray Jesus no doubt turned against Judas and drove him to despair.  While the Bible does not record that, we do know Judas attempted to return the money and then went to hang himself. "I have sinned... for I have betrayed innocent blood." (Matthew 27:4-5)

So Many Chances

Moments before Judas committed suicide, did he flashback to incidents like when the disciples rowed desperately through wind and waves on the Sea of Galilee?  Jesus told them after a long day of ministry (feeding 5000) to go to the other side of the Lake and he would meet them there.  In the disciples' crisis, they saw Jesus walking across the water as if a ghost.  When Jesus calmed the sea and saved them from their peril, they recognized Jesus as the Son of God and worshiped Him. The Bible didn't say everyone EXCEPT JUDAS worshiped the Lord.  Judas Iscariot, the Betrayer worshiped him with the rest. (Matthew 14:22-32)

So, the story of Judas is a tale of woe.  A man, who had every reason to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.  A man who in the end recognized he had sinned but did not call upon God to forgive him of those sins.  

And I have to ask myself, how am I like Judas Iscariot, the betrayer.  Blessed beyond measure, but still seeking my own gratifications.  Do I willingly repent and fall upon the mercy of God, or do I leave myself to the judgment as Judas did?

The Writings on the Wall - Daniel 5 God's Judgment on the Profane

 

We usually think of profanity as the type of curse words or dirty words people say.  As a verb, to profane is to treat with irreverence or disrespect.  As an adjective, it describes irreverence, particularly for the sacred.  From a Biblical perspective, use of profanity, or to profane, is a direct offense against Holy God.  Profanity is man's intentional or careless attempt to reduce Almighty God to a position of commonness or equality with our own man-made gods, including ourselves.

In Daniel 5, we study King Belshazzar of Babylon.  He was either the son or grandson (likely) of Nebuchadnezzar.  He had no reverence for God as will be seen in the Biblical account that gave us the expression "the writings on the wall".

Belshazzar and the Party People

Read Daniel 5:1-8

Frequently, when the Bible records a party, bad things happen.  (Take Esther 1 as an example.)  This case was no different.  King Belshazzar's party included a thousand of his nobles and too much alcohol.  After getting "liquored up", Belshazzar decided it would be a good idea to use gold and silver vessels created for the temple in Jerusalem as beer steins.  (I don't know if they had actual beer or not. LOL.)  These vessels were stolen by King Nebuchadnezzar years earlier.  One other note about the party's timing: the Persian army was outside Babylon at the time.

In verse 4, to what did the partiers give their praise?  Are we too casual in society (or the church) related to the potentially destructive thoughts and behaviors that often occur with being under the influence of alcohol or other substances?

Verses 5 and 6 described the king's reaction when God broke up the party with his "finger".  Think about the contrast for Belshazzar and the people to immediately be sobered from their drunken stupor and foolish pride by God's supernatural act.

Bringing the lesson back home to us, what "drunken stupor" are we living in that we need God's supernatural intervention?

Seeking Meaning When You Already Know Deep Down

Read Daniel 5:9-24

In verse 7, all of the King's enchanters, astrologers, and diviners were brought in to interpret the supernatural message.  They were baffled.

In verses 10-12, we find a queen with a sound mind.  She tells her king of a man with the "spirit of the gods" named Daniel, who had interpreted the dreams and visions of Nebuchadnezzar during his reign.  It's so interesting in this passage that they refer to him as Daniel, who his "father had called Belteshazzar".  And again, when they speak directly to him to confirm his identity, they call him Daniel.  So, after years of captivity in a foreign land, Daniel maintained the distinctiveness of who he was, and his given name.  The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

The king offered riches and power to Daniel for the interpretation.  Instead, Daniel offered Belshazzar a history lesson.  In verses 18-21, Daniel reminds the king of his father: Nebuchadnezzar's God-given kingdom and authority, his self-glorification and pride, and how God humbled Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4).

No Excuse for Belshazzar

Reread Daniel 5:22-24.  Daniel pointed out that Belshazzar was completely aware of what had happened to his 'father'.  He was also aware of Nebuchadnezzar's pronouncement when he was restored, both mentally and as king.

34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom endures from generation to generation.35 All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
    or say to him: “What have you done?”

Belshazzar was completely AWARE of the Most High.  But he preferred his gods of silver and gold.  His actions profaned the Lord Most High.  And does God have a sense of humor?  Nebuchadnezzar said "No one can hold back his HAND"!

As Christians with the Word of God easily available to us, we are more accountable for what we know and what we have been given.  Does that knowledge alarm you?  Should it?

Guilty

Read Daniel 5:25-30

Think about the message from God to Belshazzar.  (1) Your days are numbered. (2) You have been weighed and found deficient.  (3) Your kingdom will be divided.  I find part 2 particularly troubling.  I wonder when God weighs me on the scale, am I deficient?

Clearly, I would be found lacking.  I am lacking.  But thanks be to God that Jesus has put his 'finger' on the scale to shift the balance my direction.  Just as God's supernatural finger declared Belshazzar lacking.  The supernatural finger of Jesus has made me sufficient in Him.

We could never prosper if our good needed to balance or outweigh our bad to enter Heaven.  Nebuchadnezzar, in the end, humbled himself.  Belshazzar chose to profane the sacred things of God.  Like Daniel, will we live out our name, or allow ourselves to be identified by the things of this world?

Will we live victoriously, as described in Revelation 2:17, when those who overcome in Christ will receive a new name?

Lyric video for Writings on the Wall by Stryper.

The Writings On The Wall Lyrics _ Stryper 1988 - YouTube

Concert version.

Stryper - Writings on the Wall - Korea 1989 - YouTube