JUDAS ISCARIOT
This question of five words puts everyone to the test. It determines exactly where each is with reference to the all-important matter of the soul and eternity, in a way which no other question could possibly do. It meets the most religious man in the world, and it meets the most profligate sinner; and it puts each to the test.
On the answer to this question—the true answer as before God—hangs your fate for eternity.
It did so from the moment Christ was in the world, healing the sick, cleansing the leper, raising the dead, and, above all, dying to save the sinner; and it will continue to do so till the end of time.
Let us look at the effect of this test on a few of those whose history is recorded in the Bible, and let us first take up some who were near our Lord when here.
Judas Iscariot
What was his estimate of Christ? If we had asked him the question just after he had betrayed the Savior, "What think ye of Christ?" what answer would he have given?
Whatever he would have said in words, his action showed that in his heart he valued the Lord at thirty pieces of silver.
"O, yes," says someone, "but Judas was a very bad man, you do not want to class us with him, surely!”
It is true that Judas was a man with a particularly hardened heart, and no doubt a special case, but are there not many people selling Christ today?
Judas was ruled by covetousness; by the love of money; and do not many sell Christ and salvation for some temporal advantage in this world?
O, it is a terrible thing to sell Christ for money, or position in the world! And yet, are there not many who say in their hearts, "When I have made a little more money, when I have attained such and such a position, then I will think seriously about my soul.”