READ IT AGAIN”
By PROFESSOR E M BLAIKLOCK MA D.LITT
Episode XXXVII.
JUDAS THE TRAITOR.
Please read John 13.
Was not Judas driven to his crime by the obvious fact that he was marked down as "the traitor?" No. The fact that the Lord saw clearly from whom His betrayal would come had no effect on Judas' freedom of choice. Judas misconceived the Messiah's mission in common with the rest, but his resentment at the Lord's interpretation of His ministry went deeper, and poisoned all his character. All that could be done to soften his hard bitterness was done by the Master. Judas lived close to His Grace and Truth for three long years. Then came the betrayal night. The Lord took water, girded Himself, and began to wash His disciples feet.
For those whose hearts had fostered any spark of love, this act of service must have touched the springs of tears. Quarrels died in such an atmosphere. And the Lord washed Judas' feet. Perhaps He looked into his eyes and saw his heart harden.
Grace resisted is dangerous. What might have softened Judas, were his will not set, filled him with new contempt for the Messiah Who served His fellows. At any rate, it was at this time that Christ said to him,
"That which thou doest, do quickly.”
The remark clearly shows that Judas had made his final and irrevocable choice. Man's will is free, and man may choose ruin and rebellion. But all that love could do had been done for Judas.