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How Judas Lost His Soul
The history of Judas presents the sad ending of a life that could
have been honored by God. If Judas had died before his last journey
to Jerusalem, he would have been thought of as worthy of a place
among the Twelve, one who would be greatly missed. The abhor-
rence that has followed him through the centuries would not have
existed. But his character was revealed to the world as a warning to
all who would betray sacred trusts.
Since the feast at the house of Simon, Judas had had opportunity
to reflect on the deed he had agreed to perform, but his decision was
unchanged. He sold the Lord of glory for the price of a slave.
By his nature Judas had a strong love for money, but he had
not always been corrupt enough to do something like this. He had
nurtured the spirit of greed until it had become stronger than his love
for Christ. Through one vice he gave himself to Satan, who would
drive him to any lengths in sin.
Judas had joined the disciples when the crowds were following
Christ. He witnessed the Savior’s mighty works in healing the sick,
casting out devils, and raising the dead. He recognized the teaching
of Jesus as superior to everything that he had ever heard. He felt a
desire to be changed in character, and he hoped to experience this
through connecting himself with Jesus.
The Savior did not reject Judas. He gave him a place among the
Twelve and granted him power to heal the sick and cast out devils.
But Judas did not surrender himself fully to Christ. He did not give
up his worldly ambition or his love of money. He did not allow
God to shape his life, but cultivated a frame of mind to criticize and
accuse.
Judas had great influence over the disciples. He had a high
opinion of his own qualifications, and he considered his fellow
disciples as greatly inferior to himself. Judas told himself, with
satisfaction, that the church would often come into embarrassment if
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