“He Ordained Twelve”
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connecting this man with Himself, He placed him where he might, day
by day, be brought in contact with the outflowing of His own unselfish
love. If he would open his heart to Christ, divine grace would banish
the demon of selfishness, and even Judas might become a subject of
the kingdom of God.
God takes men as they are, with the human elements in their
character, and trains them for His service, if they will be disciplined
and learn of Him. They are not chosen because they are perfect, but
notwithstanding their imperfections, that through the knowledge and
practice of the truth, through the grace of Christ, they may become
transformed into His image.
Judas had the same opportunities as had the other disciples. He
listened to the same precious lessons. But the practice of the truth,
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which Christ required, was at variance with the desires and purposes
of Judas, and he would not yield his ideas in order to receive wisdom
from Heaven.
How tenderly the Saviour dealt with him who was to be His be-
trayer! In His teaching, Jesus dwelt upon principles of benevolence
that struck at the very root of covetousness. He presented before Judas
the heinous character of greed, and many a time the disciple realized
that his character had been portrayed, and his sin pointed out; but
he would not confess and forsake his unrighteousness. He was self-
sufficient, and instead of resisting temptation, he continued to follow
his fraudulent practices. Christ was before him, a living example of
what he must become if he reaped the benefit of the divine mediation
and ministry; but lesson after lesson fell unheeded on the ears of Judas.
Jesus dealt him no sharp rebuke for his covetousness, but with
divine patience bore with this erring man, even while giving him
evidence that He read his heart as an open book. He presented before
him the highest incentives for right doing; and in rejecting the light of
Heaven, Judas would be without excuse.
Instead of walking in the light, Judas chose to retain his defects.
Evil desires, revengeful passions, dark and sullen thoughts, were cher-
ished, until Satan had full control of the man. Judas became a repre-
sentative of the enemy of Christ.
When he came into association with Jesus, he had some precious
traits of character that might have been made a blessing to the church.
If he had been willing to wear the yoke of Christ, he might have been