This is not a theological writing for I am not learned enough to do any serious theological musing. I heard over coffee conversations with friends about the debate of whether Judas was saved or not. Those who say that he was saved reasoned that Judas was instrumental in the crucifixion of Christ which fostered salvation to the world, so he should be saved! The negative side would retort that what Judas did, he did maliciously so he should be condemned!
But let us consider… Judas repented, didn’t he?
But then again some would argue that his repentance is not true repentance that leads to life (let me write on that some other time.) Others would say that he cannot be saved because he committed suicide; but then, I would ask, is there a verse in the Bible that specifically says that those who commit suicide would never be saved? Isn’t it that repentance can happen even on the last second of one’s life?
After some exchanges of this kind, a few would resign and say that the issue is not conclusive after all and that we should be content to just wait until we get to heaven to find out the truth of the matter.
Let me offer an insight that I got from my casual reading of the Word of God. Here is the fateful story:
Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:1-5, NIV)
It seems clear to me that Judas repented for he said “I have sinned for I have betrayed innocent blood.” So what then is the issue? It is clear that there is repentance so he must be saved then!
Not too fast, I think otherwise.
Let me back track for a moment to point that Judas followed Jesus at first because he believed that this man is the Messiah prophesied long ago by the prophets. After following and communing with Jesus for a considerable period of time (could be 1-2 yrs), he arrived to the conclusion that this man is not the Messiah after all. So he thought for himself and betrayed an innocent blood for some small fortune. (And we read that he repented of that afterwards.)
Allow me to bring into here the account of one of the criminals who, at first, heaped insults to Jesus together with the crowd. After a few hours of hanging on the cross, he changed his mind, looked towards the direction of Jesus and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42 and 43 NIV)
This unnamed criminal made it to heaven, Judas did not. This criminal believed that Jesus will come into his kingdom and reign as the King Messiah, Judas did not.
Judas failed to recognize his messiah, thus, he was filled with absolute hopelessness in front of a righteous God… and in desperation, took his own life.
Judas knows no savior.
. … .
But how about you?