{"id":4542,"date":"2021-08-02T20:46:02","date_gmt":"2021-08-02T20:46:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/?p=4542"},"modified":"2021-08-02T20:46:02","modified_gmt":"2021-08-02T20:46:02","slug":"the-son-of-destruction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/the-son-of-destruction\/","title":{"rendered":"The Son of Destruction"},"content":{"rendered":"

While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have\u00a0guarded them, and\u00a0not one of them has been lost except\u00a0the son of destruction,\u00a0that the Scripture might be fulfilled.<\/span><\/span> (John 17:12)<\/em><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/b><\/p>\n

If you did not hear last week\u2019s sermon on election and preservation, I would encourage you to back and listen to that, especially in light of the sermon here today. If there is any subject more difficult than that of the doctrine of election, it is the one with which the text brings up to us today, that of the doctrine of reprobation. Particularly we have Judas set before us as the Son of Destruction, who played a unique role in the history of redemption, and thus is a peculiar case, yet who nevertheless is in a line of \u201cSons of Destruction,\u201d which sets forth to us the idea of reprobation in general. This is a difficult sermon to preach. It is indeed because of our commitment to the whole counsel of God that we must deal with the reality of this doctrine in our text today. We are unable to ignore it. As difficult as it is to preach, I am sure there may be difficulties in listening to elements of this sermon today, for the difficulty of the subject. Nevertheless, I would urge you to be reminded of your commitment to receive the Word of God in its entirety, as we all must trust that even such a scriptural teaching as reprobation is beneficial to the encouragement and building up of our faith as believers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having said all that, I say it simply as a way to promote the weightiness of this text and the sobriety with which we must handle it. In no way do we apologize for any subject found in the Word of God, and in no way do we blush in embarrassment at any text in Holy Scripture. We affirm and submit to it all, even the parts which are most difficult for our finite minds, and which rustle our flesh the most.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reprobation in General<\/b><\/p>\n

The doctrine of reprobation is the counterpart of the doctrine of election, wherein God has predestined a particular people unto Himself, to be the recipients of His salvific Sovereign Grace, foreseeing no good or merit in them, but out of His good pleasure alone elects them unto salvation. There are several presuppositions we must already have established in coming to such a doctrine such as the depravity of man born in sin, and the inability for the spiritually dead to move toward God apart from the working of the spirit, and the desire of the unregenerate that desires not God and wills to sin. None of this denies the responsibility of each person in the choices and decisions they make, as each one will stand before the judgement seat one day and give an account for all of their thoughts, words, and deeds. Thus, Reprobation is the fore-ordaining of some men to everlasting death, ordained to dishonor and wrath, for their sin, as the Westminster Confession states it. The 1689 Baptist Confession uses different language, simply stating that while God has fore-ordained some men and angels to everlasting life, others He has left to act in their sin to their just condemnation. Admittedly, I don\u2019t know the reasons as to why the writers of the confession used different language there, nevertheless the essential same truth is confessed, and I have no problem with the way either confession puts it. It is important that both confessions included the reason for their judgment, being that of their sin. None are condemned who truly desired to know and love Jesus Christ. There are none who are unjustly sent to eternal destruction in hell. There are none there who do not deserve the wrath of God. There is no one righteous, no not one, as the Scripture says. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and the wages of sin is death. Those who are fore-ordained to wrath are judged because they have sinned and rebelled. And as our confession says, the fore-ordaining of God in all things does not make God the author of sin, nor does he have fellowship therein. That is to say that God remains righteous and Holy in all His decrees, and His worthy of glory in praise in all things.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now in referencing the confessions, we do not make them our ultimate authority, but use them as a helpful guide to understanding Scripture. Indeed we have already seen the doctrine of Reprobation spoken of by John earlier in his gospel. In John 12:37 and following it says this: \u201cThough he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: \u201cLord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?\u201d Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, \u201cHe has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.\u201d\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It is very similar language that is used in John 12 to those whom it is speaking of, as is used here in John 17 concerning Judas, speaking of him as the Son of Destruction, that the Scripture may be fulfilled. We also have Jesus here in John 17:9 specifically saying that He is not praying for the world, but only those whom the Father has given to Him. This is an intercessory prayer that Jesus prays on behalf of those whom the Father has given Him, and as we have greatly established, this is an absolutely effectual prayer, that is and will be answered perfectly, and part of that prayer is the specific petition that Jesus is not praying for the world – this too is equally as effective. And really, we can say that it is an imprecatory element of this prayer, which is effective, it is that which God does respond to, and works through as a means of His judgment on the wicked.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, having set before us this weighty doctrine of Reprobation, we will now focus in on the second half of John 17:12, as it concerns the Son of Destruction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcept\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

Jesus says here that not one has been lost \u201cexcept\u201d the Son of Destruction. Immediately the question arises: Has not Jesus just said that not one has been lost, and here He says that one has in fact been lost? Emphatically we must say that there is not contradiction in Jesus. We must understand that when Jesus says Judas was lost, He is not saying that one which the Father gave Him, He has lost, or failed to guard and keep, for Jesus does not pray about Judas one which the Father gave Him, in terms of the number of the elect for which Christ is to save and keep. This loss is not a failure on the part of Jesus. Rather it is described in outward terms, for the sake of the disciples, who at this time, did not realize that Judas was a snake among them. To them he has been lost.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, most commentators will say the word \u201cexcept\u201d is not the best translation for modern English readers. The text does not imply that Judas is an exception to Christ\u2019s perfect guarding and keeping of those the Father has given Him. Rather, Judas is set up in contrast to how Jesus keeps those the Father has given to Him. It is not an exception, but a contrast. Judas was never truly one of them. Jesus knew this from the beginning. Remember John 2 where John says that there were those who believed, but Jesus did not entrust Himself to them because Jesus knew what was in the heart of man.<\/span><\/p>\n

Judas, Son of Destruction (Perdition)<\/b><\/p>\n

Now thus far, I have assumed the person of Judas here as the Son of Destruction, or Son of Perdition, as some translations put it. The text itself does not name Judas by name. Nevertheless we know this to be of whom Jesus speaks because the context is that Jesus is praying first for His disciples, of whom Judas was outwardly a part of, yet was not present with the other eleven during this prayer, as he had already left back in chapter 13. So in one since the narration shows us that it is Judas, for he has already departed, already \u201clost.\u201d And of course, we know the whole story. Jesus simply is not ready to name the name of Judas as He prays this, being that the disciples do not yet know that Judas is a traitor. They are yet unaware of his schemes. So Jesus sets forth the idea, as He has done already in other ways and times, that one among them is a traitor, or a son of destruction, so that when they see Judas betraying Jesus, they will remember and know Jesus prophesied it and knew it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, as with all the details of Scripture, there is significance in this title given to Judas of \u201cSon of Destruction,\u201d or \u201cSon of Perdition.\u201d The fact that Jesus calls Him a Son of Destruction shows us the peculiarly reptilian nature of Judas. Of course Judas was a man like the others, he was not some demonic or fallen angelic being. Nevertheless this shows us that he was not a son of Abraham, for example. His lineage is not that of faith in the promises of God. Rather, as Jesus also called the Pharisees, he was a son of Satan. Satan was his father, not Abraham. We saw back in chapter 13, I believe it was, that there was a point when Satan entered into Judas. Judas was a seed of the serpent, not the woman. He was a slithery enemy of Christ seeking to bruise His heel, like his father the devil, as Jesus said earlier that he lifts his heel against Him.<\/span><\/p>\n

The worldview of the Bible places great significance on whose son you are. Ultimately it is of course about whose spiritual son you are that matters. This is why the Bible speaks of regeneration as being \u201cborn again,\u201d or being born of God, made to be sons of God. Judas was a son of destruction.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is interesting that we see this same title given to the man of lawlessness in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 where the man of lawlessness is called a son of destruction. We won\u2019t get into identifying the man of lawlessness today but he was one who set himself in the seat of the temple of God and exalted himself to be God. Of course that was his destruction. Judas is of course not that same man of lawlessness, but he is a forerunner if you will, as one who opposes God and one whose self-exaltation is his destruction. They are of the same serpentine blood, if you will. There are various of these characters throughout the Bible who are peculiarly reptilian.<\/span><\/p>\n

I cannot help but think of the Pharaoh of Egypt as well, who sought to kill Hebrew baby boys, for fear of their overcoming him. This is particularly a satanic fear and tactic, to go after the seed of the woman promised in Genesis 3:15, for it is the promised seed of the woman that bruises the serpent\u2019s head, thus crushing and defeating him. And speaking of reprobation, we know how the Bible speaks of that Pharaoh, saying that God hardened his heart, that God\u2019s power and glory might be shown. To this the flesh cries out, \u201cbut how can a righteous God do this?\u201d This is the objection Paul answers in Romans chapter 9. Who are you O man to say to the Potter, why do you make me this way? Has not the potter the right to make some vessels for honorable use and others for dishonorable use? Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Oh how this offends the carnal man! Let him be offended, that maybe it would humble him and lead him to repentance! Do not take away the offence, for that is the power! The word of God is sharper than a double-edged sword. It slices to the heart and cuts down the pride of man, that they may come humbly to Christ for mercy. And to Christ\u2019s sheep, who hear His voice, the voice of their Good Shepherd, those words become a sweet comfort that therefore He has mercy on whom He will have mercy. How sweet those words are to the one who knows the mercy of God, that it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who has mercy, praise the Lord!<\/span><\/p>\n

Scripture Fulfilled<\/b><\/p>\n

Let us draw our attention back to John 17:12. Jesus says the Son of Destruction has been lost, <\/span>that the Scripture might be fulfilled. <\/span><\/i>Once again this affirms to us that Judas did not slip out of the fingers of Christ, but that destruction was always his purpose. It was what the Scriptures prophesied. Once again it shows us that Jesus knew this the whole time. It shows us that the decree of God did not fail with the loss of Judas, but rather it was upheld!<\/span><\/p>\n

Now what are the Scriptures that are being fulfilled in Judas\u2019 destruction? There are at least three prophecies concerning Judas, that the New Testament specifically mentions. And guess what? All three of them are from the Psalms. We\u2019re going to look at them, but I want you to hear this as a very important aside. We see more of the inner thought life, prayer life, emotional life of Jesus in his persecution and suffering in the Psalms, than we do in all the gospels or the New Testament. Think of Psalm 22 for example, and we\u2019ll see more in a moment. Now first of all, that\u2019s amazing. Second of all, why? Because the prayers within the Psalms are the prayers of Christ. He prays them. And the Psalms are filled with prayers that Jesus prays at different points in His ministry.<\/span><\/p>\n

So which Psalms are these? One we saw back in John 13 during the foot-washing and meal. Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9 which says, \u201cEven my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.\u201d Jesus had just washed Judas\u2019 feet, yet his heel was lifted against Him. They eat, and Jesus dips the bread and gives it to Judas, who did not truly eat and drink of Christ\u2019s body and blood unto life.<\/span><\/p>\n

We also have two other Psalms that mention Judas that are mentioned in the New Testament. Both are spoken of by Peter in Acts 1.<\/span><\/p>\n

In those days Peter stood up among\u00a0the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,<\/span>\u00a016\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cBrothers,\u00a0the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas,\u00a0who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.<\/span>\u00a017\u00a0<\/sup>For\u00a0he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in\u00a0this ministry.\u201d<\/span>\u00a018\u00a0<\/sup>(Now this man\u00a0acquired a field with\u00a0the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong[d<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00a0he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.<\/span>\u00a019\u00a0<\/sup>And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called\u00a0in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)<\/span>\u00a020\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cFor it is written in the Book of Psalms,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201c\u2018May his camp become desolate,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and let there be no one to dwell in it\u2019;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

and<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n
\n

\u201c\u2018Let another take his office.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

The first Scripture that Peter mentions is Psalm 69. The second Scripture from which they then go on to select another apostle based off of, is Psalm 109. I would like to read a portion of Psalm 109 because in several places, the relationship of Jesus and Judas is really obvious.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n

Be not silent, O\u00a0God of my praise!<\/span><\/span>
\n2\u00a0<\/sup>For wicked and\u00a0deceitful mouths are opened against me,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>speaking against me with lying tongues.<\/span><\/span>
\n3\u00a0<\/sup>They encircle me with words of hate,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and attack me\u00a0without cause.<\/span><\/span>
\n4\u00a0<\/sup>In return for my love they\u00a0accuse me,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>but I\u00a0give myself to prayer.[a<\/a>]<\/sup><\/span><\/span>
\n5\u00a0<\/sup>So they\u00a0reward me evil for good,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and hatred for my love.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

6\u00a0<\/sup>Appoint a wicked man\u00a0against him;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>let an accuser stand\u00a0at his right hand.<\/span><\/span>
\n7\u00a0<\/sup>When he is tried, let him come forth guilty;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>let his\u00a0prayer be counted as sin!<\/span><\/span>
\n8\u00a0<\/sup>May his\u00a0days be few;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>may\u00a0another take his\u00a0office!<\/span><\/span>
\n9\u00a0<\/sup>May his\u00a0children be fatherless<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and his wife a widow!<\/span><\/span>
\n10\u00a0<\/sup>May his children\u00a0wander about and beg,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>seeking food far from the ruins they inhabit!<\/span><\/span>
\n11\u00a0<\/sup>May\u00a0the creditor seize all that he has;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>may\u00a0strangers plunder the fruits of his toil!<\/span><\/span>
\n12\u00a0<\/sup>Let there be none to\u00a0extend kindness to him,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>nor any to\u00a0pity his fatherless children!<\/span><\/span>
\n13\u00a0<\/sup>May his\u00a0posterity be cut off;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>may his\u00a0name be blotted out in the second generation!<\/span><\/span>
\n14\u00a0<\/sup>May\u00a0the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the\u00a0Lord<\/span>,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and let not the sin of his mother be\u00a0blotted out!<\/span><\/span>
\n15\u00a0<\/sup>Let them be before the\u00a0Lord<\/span>\u00a0continually,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>that he may\u00a0cut off the memory of them from the earth!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n
\n

16\u00a0<\/sup>For he did not remember to show kindness,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>but pursued\u00a0the poor and needy<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0the brokenhearted, to put them to death.<\/span><\/span>
\n17\u00a0<\/sup>He loved to curse; let curses come[b<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00a0upon him!<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>He did not delight in blessing; may it be far[c<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00a0from him!<\/span><\/span>
\n18\u00a0<\/sup>He\u00a0clothed himself with cursing as his coat;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>may it\u00a0soak[d<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00a0into his body like water,<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>like oil into his bones!<\/span><\/span>
\n19\u00a0<\/sup>May it be like a garment that he wraps around him,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>like a belt that he puts on every day!<\/span><\/span>
\n20\u00a0<\/sup>May this be the reward of my\u00a0accusers from the\u00a0Lord<\/span>,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>of those who speak evil against my life!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Friends, within this Psalm are imprecatory prayers of Jesus against Judas. The fact that He prays for him as the son of destruction in John 17 that the Scripture may be fulfilled, is imprecatory prayer. And just as effective as Christ\u2019s intercession is on behalf of those the Father has given to Him is His imprecations against His enemies, such as the Son of Destruction.<\/span><\/p>\n

And this is so amazing to me: within this prayer of John 17, that is most precious and comforting for those who believe in Christ, is also the destruction and imprecation against their enemies. In the same breath the son of perdition is destroyed, and the sons of God are guarded and kept. The work of salvation for the elect is a work of judgment on their enemies. Judgment upon the wicked, is a work of salvation for the righteous. They go together, like election and reprobation.<\/span><\/p>\n

How does Christ win? How is Christ victorious? How does Christ save His people and defeat His enemies? He does it both by self-sacrificial love, laying down His life, silent as a sheep before the slaughter, humiliation and compassion, and also by praying judgment on Judas and His enemies, and casting them into hell. He does it by taking His foot, which was pierced for our transgressions, and using His heel to crush the serpent\u2019s head. The feet of Christians are feet that are beautiful because they bring good news, and they are those which also tread the serpent underfoot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Judas\u2019 destruction was serpent bruising. Jesus was not warring so much against Judas, he washed Judas\u2019 feet. Jesus was making war against the serpent, the devil. Satan\u2019s schemes failed because Christ defeated them, and one of the means Jesus used, was prayer, in praying against them, and positively, for His people.<\/span><\/p>\n

Like his father, Judas was an accuser. Satan is the accuser. He tried to accuse Christ. He failed. And He in vain seeks to do so today to Christians. While it is in vain, it is at times of great distress for Christians in their infirmities. Should you find yourself in such a time where you are distressed with accusations that are hurled upon you, I would encourage you to pray what is prayed in the rest of Psalm 109.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n

But you, O\u00a0God<\/span>\u00a0my Lord,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>deal on my behalf\u00a0for your name’s sake;<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>because your\u00a0steadfast love is good, deliver me!<\/span><\/span>
\n22\u00a0<\/sup>For I am\u00a0poor and needy,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>and my heart is stricken within me.<\/span><\/span>
\n23\u00a0<\/sup>I am gone like\u00a0a shadow at evening;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>I am\u00a0shaken off like a locust.<\/span><\/span>
\n24\u00a0<\/sup>My knees are weak\u00a0through fasting;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>my\u00a0body has become gaunt, with no fat.<\/span><\/span>
\n25\u00a0<\/sup>I am\u00a0an object of scorn to my accusers;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>when they see me, they\u00a0wag their heads.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

26\u00a0<\/sup>Help me, O\u00a0Lord<\/span>\u00a0my God!<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Save me according to your steadfast love!<\/span><\/span>
\n27\u00a0<\/sup>Let them\u00a0know that this is your hand;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>you, O\u00a0Lord<\/span>, have done it!<\/span><\/span>
\n28\u00a0<\/sup>Let them curse, but you will bless!<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>They arise and are put to shame, but\u00a0your servant will be glad!<\/span><\/span>
\n29\u00a0<\/sup>May my accusers be\u00a0clothed with dishonor;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>may they\u00a0be wrapped in their own shame as in a cloak!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n
\n

30\u00a0<\/sup>With my mouth I will give great thanks to the\u00a0Lord<\/span>;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>I will\u00a0praise him in the midst of the throng.<\/span><\/span>
\n31\u00a0<\/sup>For he stands\u00a0at the right hand of the needy one,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Did you notice the foundation and the basis for which the Psalmist cries out to God to save him? \u201cDeal on my behalf for your namesake.\u201d \u201cBecause your steadfast love is good, deliver me!\u201d \u201cHelp me, O LORD my God! Save me according to your steadfast love!\u201d \u201cLet them know that this is your hand; you, O LORD, have done it!\u201d Oh how the Lord loves to do mighty things for His namesake, for the spread of His fame and glory! He saves us for this reason, to the praise of His glorious grace, that the nations would be glad! That the knowledge of the glory of God would cover the earth as the waters cover the sea! The Psalmist here recognizes that Salvation is of the Lord. He recognizes that the basis and foundation of our salvation is God Himself, and God alone. His steadfast love. His namesake.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are a sinner unsure of yourself in coming to Christ, unsure of your worthiness, unsure of God\u2019s acceptance, know this: that it is not upon your worthiness that God accepts you or saves you. He saves you because He loves you, and accepts you because of Christ, His own namesake. If you are a sinner unsure of yourself in coming to God, good! You can be sure that you are a sinner, not worthy! And that is what you need to be in order to receive God\u2019s mercy. What is required to be a recipient of God\u2019s grace in Jesus Christ, is to be a great sinner. The requirement to receive the riches of God\u2019s grace in Christ is to be poor and needy. If that\u2019s you, and I\u2019m telling you by the authority of the Word of God that that is you, then you need to come to Jesus Christ today, and you will be saved.<\/span><\/p>\n

I want to conclude with a couple closing thoughts returning once again to John 17.<\/span><\/p>\n

How is this mention of Judas for comfort to the disciples?<\/b><\/p>\n

We have talked much about the comfort that this High Priestly Prayer was to be for the disciples and all those who would believe. But how was it comforting to the disciples for them to hear Jesus speak of the Son of Destruction who was lost? What\u2019s comforting about that?<\/span><\/p>\n

One, it shows that Jesus was not deceived. He was not deceived by Judas. He knew the whole time. The several times that Jesus talks about one who would betray Him, would eventually come to the disciples minds as comfort that Jesus knew all along Judas would betray Him. He was not held captive by Judas or tricked, it was always a part of the plan that Scriptures would be fulfilled.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Second, on that note, it would instill all the more reason for the disciples and us today, to have every reason to trust the Scriptures. Judas was not a mistake in the plan. He was part of the plan. Long before, the Scriptures spoke of the one who would lift his heel against God\u2019s anointed. The Scripture was fulfilled. I have a catechism that I made to go through with my boys and part of it goes like this: Q: What is the Bible? A: God\u2019s Word. Q: Can you trust God\u2019s Word? A: Yes!<\/span><\/p>\n

Third, this shows us that Jesus did not fail. The disciples would need to know this when, in just a few short hours, they would witness Judas, whom they trusted, betray Jesus with a kiss. They feared and fled in the moment, but they were brought back and restored to know and understand that Jesus did not fail. When Jesus said not one has been lost, Jesus was telling the truth! He is a perfect Savior and Redeemer, who perfectly executes His office of Prophet, Priest, and King. He perfectly redeems, keeps, guards, and preserves, all those whom the Father has given to Him. And He will also perfectly judge His enemies. Not one will be lost who are His. And not one will escape judgement who has rebelled and not come to repentance and faith.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a two fold comfort there for us today as Christians. Christ will not fail to save us. He will not let us fall away if we are His, and all those who are His, will come to Him. Every single one of them will come to Him. And also, every injustice that is done in this world, every wicked blaspheming against the Triune God, every sinner, will be judged. Not one will escape His judgement without receiving Christ. You either come to Jesus Christ for life, or you will not escape judgment. Christ is perfect in executing His office. He will not fail to keep, and He will not fail to judge.<\/span><\/p>\n

We live in a world today that is full of injustice, and also full of people who desperately want justice. Or at least they say they do. This is the modern social justice movement which is Marxism, which is infiltrating evangelical churches today. They cry out for justice, and yet they have no clue what justice is because they do not define it by the word of the Living God who is just and righteous and a God of justice and right judgment. One of the great errors of that movement is that they seek to implement all kinds of acts of retribution that are not just. They condemn innocent people. The reason they do this is because they have no transcendent God of justice that has a day of judgment coming when all will be made right. All they have is this life, so they have to demand that everyone pay now! But they do so with dirty, blood stained hands themselves. And they also have no gospel. They have no substitutionary atonement. Everyone has to pay for their sins which can never be paid for! What is the answer to this catastrophe of a movement that is harming our land? The answer is hard-hitting, historic, orthodox Christianity. We have a gospel with a substitutionary atonement where sins are actually forgiven and atoned for and reconciliation is made in Jesus Christ. We have a perfect Savior, who will forgive all our sins. We also have a perfect judge, who will not let injustice go. He will not let the wicked go unpunished. He will not let the unrighteous flourish forever. He has perfectly atoned for sin, and He perfectly judges the ungodly. So as Christians, we can entrust all the injustice and evil and tyranny and wickedness of this world to God. And you know what else you can entrust to God, Christian? Not just all the Marxist stuff out there, but all of those pains and persecutions and effects of sin in your own life. All the little persecutions you face? You can entrust it to God. He will take care of it. So we can go forth and preach the Word of God to the world and commit a life of labor for the kingdom of God to build the next Christendom, and no matter how little progress it seems we make, it may seem like nothing, we can still rest easy and happy at night and be at peace when we come to die, because we know we have Christ who perfectly saves and keeps all whom the Father has given to Him, and who will perfectly exact justice on all sin. Can you trust God\u2019s Word? Yes.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Click HERE for sermon audio<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have\u00a0guarded them, and\u00a0not one of them has been lost except\u00a0the son of destruction,\u00a0that the Scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12) Introduction If you did not hear last week\u2019s sermon on election and preservation, I would encourage you to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":685,"featured_media":4543,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,27,30,32],"tags":[44,274,1578,373,382,427,557,562,1559,615,1575,678,679,687,699,703,707,765,1576,969,1560,1577,1099,1144,1161,1168,1172],"class_list":{"0":"post-4542","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-commentary","8":"category-gospel","9":"category-preaching","10":"category-theology","11":"tag-44","12":"tag-christ","13":"tag-decree","14":"tag-destruction","15":"tag-disciples","16":"tag-election","17":"tag-god","18":"tag-gospel","19":"tag-high","20":"tag-holy","21":"tag-iscariot","22":"tag-jenkins","23":"tag-jesus","24":"tag-john","25":"tag-joshua","26":"tag-judas","27":"tag-judgment","28":"tag-lord","29":"tag-perdition","30":"tag-prayer","31":"tag-priestly","32":"tag-reprobation","33":"tag-savior","34":"tag-sin","35":"tag-son","36":"tag-sovereignty","37":"tag-spirit","38":"entry"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/08\/Son-of-Destruction.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4536,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/kept-by-god-in-christ-election-and-preservation\/","url_meta":{"origin":4542,"position":0},"title":"Kept by God in Christ: Election and Preservation","author":"Joshua Jenkins","date":"July 26, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cFather,\u00a0the hour has come;\u00a0glorify your Son that the Son may\u00a0glorify you,\u00a02\u00a0since\u00a0you have given him authority over all flesh,\u00a0to give eternal life to all\u00a0whom you have given him. \u201cI have manifested your name to the people\u00a0whom you gave me out of the world.\u00a0Yours they were, and you gave them to me,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Commentary"","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/category\/commentary\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/07\/BelemTower-597b3f919abed500108e2ad8-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/07\/BelemTower-597b3f919abed500108e2ad8-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/07\/BelemTower-597b3f919abed500108e2ad8-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/07\/BelemTower-597b3f919abed500108e2ad8-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/07\/BelemTower-597b3f919abed500108e2ad8-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/07\/BelemTower-597b3f919abed500108e2ad8-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1629,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/martyn-lloyd-jones-on-the-sermon-on-the-mount\/","url_meta":{"origin":4542,"position":1},"title":"Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Sermon on the Mount","author":"Joshua Mills","date":"May 5, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"I have heard many people say, \u201cSurely the Sermon on the Mount teaches that we have our sins forgiven only if we forgive others. Doesn\u2019t our Lord say, 'but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses'\u201d (Matt. 6:15). Is this true? Is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"bible\"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/tag\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2017\/05\/268.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2017\/05\/268.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2017\/05\/268.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4569,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/the-arrest-of-jesus\/","url_meta":{"origin":4542,"position":2},"title":"The Arrest of Jesus","author":"Joshua Jenkins","date":"September 20, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"When Jesus had spoken these words,\u00a0he went out with his disciples across\u00a0the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered.\u00a02\u00a0Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew\u00a0the place, for\u00a0Jesus often met there with his disciples.\u00a03\u00a0So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sermon"","block_context":{"text":"Sermon","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/category\/sermon\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/09\/peter-cuts-off-ear.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/09\/peter-cuts-off-ear.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/09\/peter-cuts-off-ear.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/09\/peter-cuts-off-ear.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3598,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/the-joy-of-fellowship-in-christ-commentary-on-1-john-1v1-4\/","url_meta":{"origin":4542,"position":3},"title":"The Joy of Fellowship in Christ: Commentary on 1 John 1v1-4","author":"Joshua Jenkins","date":"August 6, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Introduction The epistle of 1 John is peppered with verses that are well-known and loved by many believers. Maybe some of you have favorite verses found in this book. Verses like 1 John 1v9, \u201cIf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Commentary"","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/category\/commentary\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2018\/08\/pexels-photo-257360.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2018\/08\/pexels-photo-257360.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2018\/08\/pexels-photo-257360.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4273,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/a-traitor-in-the-ranks\/","url_meta":{"origin":4542,"position":4},"title":"A Traitor in the Ranks","author":"Joshua Jenkins","date":"December 15, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"18\u00a0I am not speaking of all of you; I know\u00a0whom I have chosen. But\u00a0the Scripture will be fulfilled,[d]\u00a0\u2018He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.\u2019\u00a019\u00a0I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.\u00a020\u00a0Truly,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Faith"","block_context":{"text":"Faith","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/category\/faith\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/12\/judas.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6701,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/contend-for-the-faith\/","url_meta":{"origin":4542,"position":5},"title":"Contend for the Faith","author":"Joshua Jenkins","date":"September 9, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Click HERE for sermon audio 1\u00a0Jude, a servant[a]\u00a0of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called,\u00a0beloved in God the Father and\u00a0kept for[b]\u00a0Jesus Christ: 2\u00a0May\u00a0mercy,\u00a0peace, and love be multiplied to you. 3\u00a0Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our\u00a0common salvation, I found it necessary\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sermon"","block_context":{"text":"Sermon","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/category\/sermon\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/09\/0619jude.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4542","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/685"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4542"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4542\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4543"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4542"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4542"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4542"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}