The Judas Iscariot Question
By JQuisumbing
Did Judas repent? Did God forgive him?
The story of Judas Iscariot is always a sad one for me to tell. Throughout history, his name is forever synonymous as the betrayer of our Lord.
While I was with them, I protected and preserved them by Your name, the name You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. (John 17:12)
Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me. (Psalm 41:9)
His name had been branded as being the worst of mankind. But in truth, Judas Iscariot’s situation may actually represent humanity’s situation today. I include myself in this (at least in the beginning anyway). What do I mean? Let me use my early life as an example. I mean before I was born again.
Like Judas, I had the privilege of knowing a little bit about Jesus. I was taught about Him in Catechism and what the heck, even His name is my middle name. Like Judas, I was drawn to Him. Of course, Judas got even closer to Him. After all, he was one of the chosen twelve and was even given the power to cast out demons. Judas was protected, preserved and was even considered as a close friend (John 17:12; Psalm 41:9). Sure, he betrayed Jesus, but then, so did His other disciples when they abandoned Him to His fate. Even the proud and boisterous Peter denied knowing Jesus three times while Jesus was being mocked and beaten just yards away. We all have failed Him in one way or another. I myself had sinned against Him by rejecting many times the opportunity to accept the gift of salvation which He paid so dearly with His life. But it is here that Judas’ and my story went down different paths.
Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” …And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and left; and he went away and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:3-5)
Here lies the saddest part of his story. Judas had forgotten what Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live…” (John 11:25) Judas gave in to his despair and killed himself. If he just waited, he would have seen Jesus resurrected and I truly believe that Jesus would surely have forgiven him.
Johann Quisumbing 