See if you can see it. It’s how Judas responded verses the other disciples:
When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”
23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “You have said so.”
Did you see it? I didn’t. Until someone pointed it out.
The other disciples all ask, “Is it I, Lord?” Am I the one? Am I the betrayer?
Everyone was hoping not. But feared it could be them. Yet, look at the word they used. They all called Jesus, “Lord.” He was the one they submitted to. He was their master.
But did you see what Judas called him?
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”
He called him “Rabbi.”
Rabbi means teacher. A spiritual instructor.
This is a good title. But it miles away from, “Lord.” Calling someone Lord means that you submit to their greater authority.
Judas, never once in Scripture, called Jesus “Lord.”
It seems that Judas saw Jesus as a great man, a spiritual leader, and an important and significant teacher, but not Lord. Not Savior. Not the one he was to submit to.
It gets worse. It sounds like Jesus is saying he would end up in hell.
24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
Judas shared in the ministry of Jesus (Acts 1:17).
“He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”
What all did he do?
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He was chosen as one of the twelve (Matt 10:1–4, Luke 6:13–16)
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He was sent out with power to minister (Luke 9:1–6)
- He was the group’s treasurer (John 12:4-6; 13:29)
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He preached and healed alongside the others
This man did it all. He was chosen, called, serving alongside Jesus, was with Jesus, had a key role in the group and more.
It seemed he was destined for an eternal life with Jesus, saved, just like the others.
But for all that he did with and for Jesus, he never submitted to him as Lord. He kept him in the place of teacher.
And for that, we have no assurance that has eternal life with Jesus.
That should scare us.
Sometimes with Jesus, we follow him, serve him, work alongside him, and participate in his ministry, but is he truly LORD? Is He master? Does he call the shots?
Or is he just a great teacher who has the truth and worthy to follow? Yet not our Lord.
It’s a scary thought.