Judas: The Chosen Betrayer in God’s Plan

Judas was still chosen by Jesus, but his role was part of the greater redemptive plan. Jesus knew that Judas would fulfill his part in the betrayal, and it was necessary for the Scriptures to be fulfilled (Psalm 41:9, Zechariah 11:12-13, Matthew 26:24). Judas’ betrayal, while tragic, was predestined to happen to bring about the crucifixion, which was central to God’s salvation plan.

2. The Issue of True Discipleship

While Jesus chose Judas as a disciple, it’s clear that Judas never truly became a believer or had genuine faith. His heart was never fully surrendered to Jesus. Judas was never « lost » in the sense of someone who was genuinely saved but then fell away. Rather, his lack of true faith revealed that he was not among those whom Jesus was talking about when He promised not to lose any of His true followers.

In John 17:12, Jesus prays to the Father, “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.” Here, Jesus indicates that while He was protecting His true disciples, Judas was never truly one of them, and his fate was to fulfill Scripture.

3. The Free Will of Judas

Judas still exercised his free will, despite being chosen by Jesus as one of the twelve. His decision to betray Jesus was a result of his own heart and choices, even though he was chosen to be part of Jesus’ inner circle. Judas’ actions were the result of his own desires, which he allowed to control him—namely greed, love of money, and ultimately a rejection of Jesus as the true Messiah.

4. Jesus’ Assurance for the True Believer

Jesus’ promise of not losing any of His followers applies to those who are genuinely saved and have a living, transformative relationship with Him. Judas, though physically close to Jesus, was never spiritually close to Him. As you mentioned earlier, “It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” True believers are indwelt by Christ, and He preserves them. Judas was never indwelt by Christ in this way.