Langley Presbyterian Church

The Glory of the Resurrection

• The best part about Jesus’ life and death was His resurrection.
• Although Jesus predicted it, when it happened, at first, even the disciples couldn’t believe it.
• When Jesus arose, Judas was dead.
• He missed the best part.

Background on Judas

John 6:64 – For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.

Matthew 26:25 – Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

Matthew 26:49 – Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

• Judas is always recorded as calling Jesus “Rabbi” (“Teacher”), never “Lord”, indicating that he may not have believed that Jesus was God.

John 12:3-6 – Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

Luke 22:1-6 – Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

John 13:2, 21, 25-27 – The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” Leaning back against Jesus, [John] asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”

Matthew 27:3-5 – When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver 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.

Judas Missed Eternal Life

John 17:12 – While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

Matthew 26:24 – The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.

Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Today's Text: Luke 24:36-49 – While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Judas Missed Forgiveness

• Luke 24:46-47 – This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations.
• The thief on the cross was forgiven and was promised a place in paradise.
• Peter denied Jesus, but was later reinstated.
• If Judas had waited, he could have been forgiven.
• When we deceive ourselves about our own sins, we also deceive ourselves about forgiveness.
• Rationalization and making excuses are the worst enemies of forgiveness.

Three things are necessary for forgiveness:

1. Admit we’ve messed up – Judas said, “I have sinned.”
2. Feel remorse for our sin – Judas “was seized with remorse”.
3. Accept the forgiveness Jesus died to purchase – Judas had 2 out of 3.

It appears Judas died without forgiveness.

Judas Missed the Peace

• Luke 24:36 – While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
• John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
• Greek “peace” = to set at one again.
• Our sin shatters our relationship with God.
• When we’re forgiven by God’s grace, our relationship with Him is mended.
• We’re set at one again with God = peace.
• If Judas had asked for the forgiveness only Christ can give, he would have received the peace that only comes from God.

Judas Missed the Joy

• Luke 24:41-43 – And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.
• Ghosts don’t eat fish – He was really alive!
• There’s no better news than that our final enemy, death, has been defeated.
• Gives new meaning to life – death is not the end.
• Hebrews 2:15 – by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
• Jesus' resurrection means that those who trust in Him and receive His living Spirit will have everlasting life.
• We can look forward to seeing loved ones in Christ.
• We do not need to fear death.
• That is real joy in the face of the worst life can offer.

Judas Missed the Power

• Luke 24:49 – “Stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
• Most agree Judas was a hard-core nationalist who wanted to see Roman tyranny ended by force.
• He may have betrayed Jesus to force Him to use His miraculous power.
• His plan was foiled – wrong power.
• Fifty days after the resurrection, the promised power was given: the Holy Spirit.
• “Dunamis” à dynamite – life-changing power swept the world.
• What Judas missed is available to us.
• The power of the Holy Spirit is not any less available today – claim it!

Receive the Holy Spirit

Dear Father, I have been controlling my own life, and so have sinned against You. Thank You for forgiving my sins through Christ’s death on the cross. I ask You to take charge of my life and to fill me with Your Holy Spirit, as You commanded me, and as You promised You would if I asked. Thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.