INTRODUCTION:

1. We have now arrived at chapter 22, and we see here some of the most startling words ever recorded Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot (22:3).
2. In the Bible, we see many instances of individuals being possessed by demons, but this I the only recorded instance of a man being possessed by Satan. (Many are influenced by Satan cf. Acts 5:3, Ananias).
3. Judas was misled, and motivated, and energized by Satan.  And, Luke 22:3 and John 13:27 say that Satan literally entered into Judas.
4. John 13:2 says the devil put it into the heart of Judas to betray Christ. Judas betrayed our Lord for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15; 27:3, 9).
5. Luke 22:1 tells us it was the Passover, the most important feast on the Jewish calendar; the feast which commemorates the deliverance of Israel from Egypt.
6. Thousands of Jewish pilgrims crowded into Jerusalem for the feast. 
7. The Jewish leaders decided to have our Lord tried and crucified during the Passover, and they hired Judas Iscariot to betray Him.

1. JUDAS COMMUNED WITH OUR LORD S ENEMIES
2. JUDAS WAS DAMNED
3. JUDAS BETRAYED OUR LORD WITH A KISS

 

I. JUDAS COMMUNED WITH OUR LORD S ENEMIES (22:2-6).

1. This is not surprising because Judas and these religious hypocrites had much in common.  Luke 16:14 says that the Pharisees were covetous, and John 12:6 says that Judas Iscariot was a thief.
2. The fact that Judas was in charge of handling the money indicates his interest in money (John 13:29).  In fact, that could be the primary reason he joined up with our Lord s enemies in the first place.
3. When Judas saw the great crowds following Jesus, he may have believed that he could profit from the collections that were taken.  
4. Furthermore, Judas, like many people at that time, may have believed that the Messiah was going to overthrow the Romangovernment.
5. If the Roman occupation was to be overthrown, Judas may have aspired to a position of power.  He may have thought that once the Messiah commenced His rule over Israel, he would achieve fame and fortune.
6. Judas may have followed Jesus hoping to benefit from his association with Him.  But as our Lord advanced to the cross, He made it clear that He planned to die (cf. Luke 18:31-34). 
7. Though the apostles understood none of these things (18:34), they did figure out that our Lord was not going to lead an insurrection against Rome.
8. Therefore, Judas may have assumed just as the Pharisees assumed that since Jesus would not overthrow the Romans, He could not possibly be the Messiah they were expecting.
9. Luke 22:4 says Judas communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
10. When I was a boy, I often heard the old saying, Birds of a feather flock together.   Judas was associating with theses dirty birds because he himself was a dirty bird.  Judas was never a child of God.
11. Luke 22:4 says that Judas communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
12. The captains (22:4) were captains of the temple (22:52).
13. These Jewish religious leaders had been planning on killing Jesus for a quite some time, but they they feared the people (22:2).  But when they met up with Judas, they realized their problem was solved (22:3-6).
14. John Philipps said Judas sold the Saviour to the Sanhedrin, and he sold his soul to Satan (Exploring the Gospel of Luke).

 

II. JUDAS WAS DAMNED

1. When I was a boy, my parents told me to never say, Damn you.   They said it was a terrible thing to say.  After I got saved, I understood why it is so terrible.
2. He that believeth not shall be damned (Mark 16:16).  Though he spent three years with Jesus, Judas did not believe in Him.
3. Judas Iscariot is the greatest villain to ever walk across the stage of history.
4. In John 6:70, our Lord referred to Judas as a devil.
5. In John 17:12, our Lord referred to Judas as the son of perdition, a term the apostle Paul used in II Thessalonians 2:3 for the antichrist.
6. Because of this connection, several notable preachers and Bible teachers such as Lehman Strauss, A.W. Pink, and Oliver B. Greene, have taught that the antichrist will be the resurrected Judas Iscariot.
7. (I don t believe that myself.)
8. The word  perdition  means eternal damnation, and is used as a synonym for hell.  Second Peter 3:7 says, the heavens and the earth (are) reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
9. Therefore, when a man is called the son of perdition, the idea is that the man is already damned while he is still alive. 
10. That is what Jesus meant when He said, 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 (Matthew 26:24).
11. When Jesus prayed to God the Father in John 17, He said, Those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.  
12. Not one is lost except the son of perdition (Judas). This proves that Judas Iscariot was never saved.
13. It is interesting to note that none of the other disciples suspected Judas (cf. John 13:21-30). 
14. Judas managed to fool everyone.  Everyone but the Lord.
15. As far as we know, Judas went out preaching and performing miracles with the other apostles, yet he was not saved (cf. Luke 9:1-6).
16. What a lesson for us!
17. Our Lord said in Matthew 7:21-23, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

III. JUDAS BETRAYED OUR LORD WITH A KISS (22:47, 48).

1. It was customary in that day for disciples to greet their teachers with a loving and respectful kiss.  Judas used this kiss as a signal for the chief priests and the arresting officers (cf. Matthew 26:46-50).
2. In Matthew s account, it is recorded that Jesus addressed Judas as Friend (Matthew 26:50).
3. Proverbs 27:6 says, Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.   Judas betrayed our Lord with a deceitful kiss.
4. Psalm 41:9 says, Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
5. David was betrayed by Ahithophel, his good friend and counsellor, but the words of David the Psalmist receive a greater fulfillment in our Lord s betrayal.
6. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David was able to look beyond the treachery of Ahithophel, and paint a vivid picture of Judas Iscariot.

 

CONCLUSION:

1. Luke 4:13 says that when the devil had stopped tempting our Lord, he departed for a season.
2. For a season indicates Satan planned on coming back for more trouble.
3. Later on, Satan tempted Simon Peter.  Peter yielded to Satan and he denied our Lord three times.  But Peter repented and he was restored.
4. But when Satan latched onto Judas Iscariot, he had him for keeps (cf. Luke 22:3).
5. What a lesson! We need to be very careful.  Satan had Simon Peter and Judas Iscariot on his hit list, and who knows who else is being targeted?
6. First Peter 5:8 and 9 says, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith.
7. If you are saved, Satan can cause you to stumble, wreck your family, ruin your testimony, and make your life miserable.
8. If you are not saved, Satan can cause you to stumble, wreck your family, ruin your testimony, make your life miserable, and send you to hell like he did with Judas Iscariot.
9. Judas hung himself, and then he went to hell.
10. Acts 1:25 says, Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
11. His own place is in hell. That is why Jesus said, 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 (Matthew 26:24).