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T. E. BOWEN

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 9, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 32.

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T. E. BOWEN

By T. E. Bowen

Lessons From the Life of Judas — No. 4

T. E. BOWEN

FAITHFULLY had Jesus forewarned Judas of the consequences involved to that man who should stain his soul with the terrible sin of betraying the Redeemer of the world into the hands of those who sought his life. He had said, “The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.” Matt. 26: 24.
As Judas saw the rough, cruel soldiers follow his directions to “bind him fast,” and lead him away captive, “anxiously he followed him from the garden to the trial before the Jewish rulers. At every movement he looked for him to surprise his enemies by appearing before them as the Son of God, and setting at naught all their plots and power. But as hour after hour went by, and Jesus submitted to all the abuse heaped upon him, a terrible fear came to the traitor that he had sold his Master to his death.” These warnings of Christ began to come to mind: “The Son of man goeth as it is written, but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!” He realizes now that he is the man. His guilty conscience begins to torture his soul. He sees what he has done, yet does not fully appreciate the enormity of his crime. He is so supremely self-confident that he even now thinks he can undo the terrible deed. His face gathers paleness as it dawns on him more and more. He trembles at the approaching doom.
Forgetting everything, he determines to release Jesus. He knows him innocent of all the crimes they are accusing him of in this mock trial. O that he had believed what Jesus had foretold!
“Suddenly a hoarse voice rang through the hall, sending a thrill of terror to all hearts: ‘He is innocent; spare him, O Caiaphas.’ The tall form of Judas was now seen passing through the startled throng. His face was pale and haggard, and great drops of sweat stood on his forehead. Rushing to the throne of judgment, he threw down before the high priest the pieces of silver that had been the price of his Lord’s betrayal. Eagerly grasping the robe of Caiaphas, he implored him to release Jesus, declaring that he had done nothing worthy of death. Caiaphas angrily shook him off, but was confused, and knew not what to say. The perfidy of the priests was revealed. It was evident that they had bribed the disciple to betray his Master. ‘I have sinned,’ again cried Judas, ‘in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.’
Judas now cast himself at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging him to be the Son of God, and entreating him to deliver himself. The Saviour did not reproach his betrayer. He knew that Judas did not repent; his confession was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a looking for of judgment, but he felt no deep, heart-breaking grief that he had betrayed the spotless Son of God, and denied the Holy One of Israel. . . .
“Judas saw that his entreaties were in vain, and he rushed from the hall exclaiming, ‘It is too late! It is too late!’ He felt that he could not live to see Jesus crucified, and in despair went out and hanged himself.”—Desire of Ages, pages 721, 722.
From all this record valuable lessons are to be drawn to-day. The principles which governed the work of God during Christ’s sojourn on earth are the same that are to be recognized to-day. Christ’s methods then were widely separated from worldly methods. So it is to-day. Many of Christ’s most important acts seemed to the men of the world very foolish and unimportant. It will seem thus to worldly minded men to-day. Success depended then upon strictly following the directions of the Lord. The same will result to-day. Disaster came to Judas’s schemes because they were not according to the mind and will of God nor of Christ. Every man-made scheme to-day that has not the seal of Christ’s approval, and which does not tend to glorify his name, will likewise come to grief.
Judas thought himself capable to instruct the Lord. He would not yield implicit obedience. There are those to-day doing the very same thing, still priding themselves as being among the Lord’s closest followers. Putting aside as of little moment, the solemn entreaties and warnings of the Testimonies, they go on, as did Judas, following their own unconsecrated judgment, flattering themselves that Christ will accept them and their work in the end. We have the record of his life as a terrible warning. We are dealing with One who makes no mistakes.
In a Testimony written Oct. 8, 1903, entitled “A Solemn Warning,” are found these words: “Impenitence has taken hold of some who once acted a prominent part in the work of God. . . . I am in great distress and agony as I see how determined are some who have often been warned, in their refusal to hear the words of entreaty. They have linked their arms in the arm of the deceiver, and are led captive by him at his will. I heard the words spoken, ‘So long have they been impregnated with the life and customs of the enemy, that they have no desire to break away from his companionship.’” “From the quivering lips of Christ come the mournful words of regret, ‘I loved them; I gave my life for them; but they persisted in rejecting my pleadings and continued in sin. O that thou hadst known in this thy day the things which belong to thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes.’”
“To-day Christ is looking with sadness upon those whose characters he must at last refuse to acknowledge. Inflated with self-efficiency, they hope it will be well with their souls.” “Every effort has been made to bring them to repentance. But they refused to humble their hearts. Now the bitter lamentation is heard, ‘The harvest is past, the summer ended, and my soul is not saved.’”
“The precious invitation was often given, ‘Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me, and he shall make peace with me.’ But you would none of my counsel. You have despised all of my entreaties and scorned my invitations. You have caused many to follow your sinful ways, and now your punishment has come. You will receive as your works have been. You must lose everlasting life. You have chosen your own ways, and with such ways, such characters, such sentiments, you could not enter the gates of the holy city.”
Unless we humbly repent and forsake sin and our own ways, the vivid portrayal of these scenes will soon be our actual experience. May God grant that we shall improve the gracious moments of probation now lent us, this day of our visitation, and prepare our hearts for the final victory just ahead for the “remnant” people of God.
Rome, N. Y.