Judas Turned
If you prefer reading to listening, see my notes below. (But you will miss out on me getting choked up a couple times and also fumbling over “Jesus” and “Judas,” resulting in one “Jusus” and one “Jedas.”)
Good morning, my name is Asha Junot, and it’s a joy and an honor to be with you this morning. If we haven’t had a chance to meet yet, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not a special guest teacher that Brian flew in, especially to be here this morning.
I don’t have a seminary degree. Although I have done many a Beth Moore Bible study, which is pretty close.
I am a girl who, only by the grace of God, has gotten to know Jesus. And that has changed everything for me.
So if this message completely falls apart from here, and the next 20-ish minutes are incoherent, what I want you to hear above all else is this - turn to Jesus.
Turn to Jesus. Turn to Jesus. In every moment, with whatever you’ve got, turn to Jesus.
Jesus is God’s heart on full display. You want to know what God is like - the God who created you and loves you and knows you completely and desperately wants a relationship with you - if you want to know what that God is like, turn to Jesus. He’ll show you all you ever need to know and more than enough to last you for eternity.
So there it is, my whole message in three words. Turn to Jesus. You’re free to zone out now, but I hope you’ll stick with me.
The passage Brian gave me as we continue in our Dinners with Sinners series comes from Luke 22. And it is what has come to be known as The Last Supper because it is the record of Jesus’ last meal before his death and resurrection - it’s the dinner that takes place right before the crucifixion. And it’s so rich, right?
This passage covers so many things - perhaps most notably the first communion. The first time Jesus breaks bread and calls it his body. The first time Jesus pours the wine and calls it his blood. But in light of our series where we are talking about Jesus eating good food with “bad” people and sitting down at way more tables than he flipped, my focus went to Judas.
We are calling this series “Dinners with Sinners,” and I don’t know that there is a person we deem a “sinner '' more than Judas. Even if you don’t know that much about the Bible, you probably know the name Judas. And you know he was not a good dude. Like, no one is naming their kid Judas. There aren’t a bunch of Judases running around, and if you did happen to be named Judas before the crucifixion and word got out about what THAT Judas did, then you probably spent the rest of your life introducing yourself with your first AND last name or just abandoning the name altogether and choosing a nickname. You walk up to your friends, and someone goes, “oh, hey, Judas!” And you’re like, “you know what, I’m actually going by J now.”
Judas is THE sinner.
So, we have been watching the series The Chosen. A few weeks ago, when Brian asked us who we picture when we think of Jesus, and he joked that maybe we see the guy who plays Jesus in The Chosen, I cracked up, because that is totally me now! It’s an incredible show that will completely change the way you see Jesus and read scripture. (No I'm not getting paid, I'm just a big fan because this show is really something special.)
Not only has it changed the way I see Jesus, it’s changed the way I see Judas.
Because yes, we know what he did at the end of his life. We know he was perhaps the most important piece of the puzzle that led to Jesus’ arrest, trial, and death on a cross.
But before he was Judas - like, THE Judas - he was Judas, an apostle of Jesus.
The gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John -were written decades after the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus, so the writers had hindsight when writing. There aren’t any sweet anecdotes about Judas, and in fact, every time his name is mentioned, it’s coupled with “the one who betrayed Jesus, the betrayer, the traitor, etc.”
But at the time, the disciples didn’t know. Judas was one of them. The gospels tell us that Judas was one of the Twelve who was appointed by Jesus. It was not a mistake - he didn’t sneak in. He didn’t surprise Jesus.
Matthew 10:1-4 says this: “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.”
Judas was chosen. He was an anointed, appointed disciple. He was a brother, he was a friend, he was a comrade, he performed signs and wonders and miracles and YES, he was responsible for turning hearts to Jesus.
At one time, Judas’ heart was turned to Jesus. And Jesus loved him.
If you want to know God’s heart for you, look to Jesus. But more specifically, look to Jesus looking at Judas.
There is a song I sing to our son when he’s being particularly difficult, and as much as it’s a reminder to him, it’s a reminder to me too - it softens both of us and releases tensions. And it is absolutely how God feels about all of us. I won’t sing it for you, but I’ll just say it: Oh, there is nothing you could ever do to make me stop loving you. I love you because you are mine.
Jesus KNEW, and he loved Judas. We say “there is nothing that can separate from the love of God in Christ Jesus,” and that’s not just some cliche to hang on a sign in our kitchens - it is real.
There is NOTHING that can separate us from God’s love.
So Jesus loved Judas. Judas turned to Jesus. Judas loved Jesus too. But from there to where the story picks up today, something went terribly wrong…
I’m going to read verses 3-23, and again, there is so much here, but I’m going to unpack just a couple of the verses. But I wanted to read it in its entirety so we can get a feel for the whole context…
Luke 22:3-23: “Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. 7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” 9 They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” 10 He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters 11 and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” 13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.
Again, there is so so much here, but what stands out to me most about this passage that I honestly never saw before or paid much attention to was the disciples’ reaction to Jesus calling out the one who would betray him at the Last Supper.
When Jesus said there is someone at this table who is going to betray me, they didn’t roll their eyes and go, “Judas.” They didn’t collectively say, “Oh, it’s for sure Judas.” No. They looked around and wondered who it was - and each of them individually thought they might be guilty, that it could be them.
And I so appreciate that this is included. Because we see from how they reference Judas every other time, that they never miss an opportunity to call him out. They could have written that Jesus said it and left it at that. Or they could have written that Jesus said it and they knew it was Judas.
But the Holy Spirit empowered the writer to write the truth because he knew we would need it. He knew this was such an important part of the story. It is so important to realize that we are all sinners desperately in need of a savior.
If you don’t consider yourself a sinner, you can never be saved. If you don’t hear someone calling out sin and think, “yeah, that could be me,” that’s where you need to start.
Without Jesus, we are all Judas.
Verse three starts with “Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.”
Ok, let’s be honest, those first few words are terrifying. “Then Satan entered in…” So is that just like a possibility for all of us? We are walking down the street one day and BOOM, from Asha Junot to Judas Junot.
No, that is not how it works. How it works is that God exists outside of all time and space, and he knows every single decision that will be made before it’s ever made or ever even thought of, and he weaves every decision into his ultimate story of redemption. He uses everything to fulfill his ultimate end - and that end is fullness of joy and righting of every wrong.
God does not choose who to save, but he knows who will and will not choose him. God knows everything, and he uses everything.
I love these verses that talks about how God feels about us choosing him and who he hopes chooses him.
2 Peter 3:9 tells us: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
In the Old Testament, through the prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 18:31-32), God pleads with his people: “Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.” God wants everyone - all people, across all places, throughout all of time - to choose him and live. To turn to him and live. God knew Judas would ultimately not choose him. And so he used that choice to fulfill his perfect promises and purposes.
God uses even the very worst to bring about the very best.
God is all powerful, all knowing, and all loving. His plans and purposes are best, and he will fulfill them all - for our greatest joy and his greatest glory.
If God had all knowledge and all love, but not all power - he would be useless.
If God had all love and all power, but not all knowledge - he would be reckless.
If God had all power and all knowledge, but not all love - he would be dangerous.
Thank God he has it all.
Verse 22 says, “For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”
Jesus mourns for Judas. He says - this is all happening how it was always going to happen. But I’m so sad for this man - my friend, who I love dearly - to be the one making the decisions that God used to lead to this.
Our lives are part of God’s ultimate story. God is sovereign over everything. All of heaven and earth are moving toward God’s ultimate end, and every decision we make is being used to move the story along. And although the ultimate end is life - within the story right now, there is life AND there is death. Do you want your decisions to be ones that lead to life or to death? Yes, God uses even the very worst to bring about the very best, but do you want to be part of the very worst or the very best?
So what happened between Judas turning to Jesus and Satan entering Judas?
He turned away.
He got annoyed, and instead of turning to Jesus, he turned away.
He got angry, and instead of turning to Jesus, he turned away.
He got into an argument with another disciple, and instead of turning to Jesus, he turned away.
He felt slighted or overlooked, and instead of turning to Jesus, he turned away.
He misunderstood something Jesus said and was offended, and instead of turning to Jesus, he turned away.
Or maybe he did something amazing, and instead of turning to Jesus, he turned away. He turned to himself.
He healed someone, and instead of turning to Jesus, he turned away and turned to himself.
He had a good day, and instead of turning to Jesus, he turned away and turned to himself.
The hard truth is that it’s small steps that lead us astray. It’s small turns that bring us closer. It’s small steps that take us from “he gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction” to “then Satan entered in…”
It’s small steps. It’s small turns. Over and over and over and over and over again.
Turn to Jesus.
It’s human nature for us to turn. When someone walks by with a funny hat, when you win a dollar on a scratch-off, when you’re watching a movie and something scary jumps out or the characters finally share a perfect kiss - it’s instinct to turn to the person next to you and react together.
We were all made to turn. We were made to turn to Jesus. And if we don’t turn to Jesus, we will turn to something or someone; and most often, ourselves.
In everything, in every season, every day, with whatever you’ve got - joy, peace, love, surprise, horror, anger, frustration, doubt, shame, confusion, disappointment, resentment, discontent. Whether you’re celebrating or cussing, turn to Jesus. And even when you have done the absolute worst and you feel like your name should go down in the history books with Judas’ name, turn to Jesus.
I don’t know what every person in this room is experiencing right now - it’s likely there are the highest highs and the lowest lows sitting right next to each other because that’s life. Sometimes it’s one more than the other, and most times it’s both at once. No matter who you are or where you are, turn to Jesus.
And keep turning. Turn. Turn. Turn. Turn. And it becomes muscle memory. It’s instinct, reflex, second nature. We will all turn to someone. Either our reflex will be to turn to ourselves or turn to Jesus. Know that there is nothing you could ever do to make him stop loving you. Know that he is using even the very worst to move us toward the very best. Turn to Jesus.
Everyone knows Judas’ name because of how God used his very worst moment to move us toward the very best moment in the entire history of the world: Jesus’ death and resurrection. But Judas didn’t initially turn to Jesus with the intention of becoming “the one who betrayed Jesus.” Somewhere along the way, he just stopped turning to Jesus. Over and over and over again, until he thought he couldn’t turn back anymore.
But even then, he still could have. Our necks - and our hearts - are never too stuck to turn to Jesus.