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Answer
Jesus selected Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve disciples. Judas was referred to as “a devil” (John 6:70-71), described as “a thief” «This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. », (John 12:6), identified as an unbeliever «But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. », (John 6:64), and labeled spiritually unclean «Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. », (John 13:10). Despite this, he maintained a respected position within the group «For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. », (John 13:29). Since Jesus “knew what was in each person” «and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.», (John 2:25), it may seem puzzling that He would choose Judas, the one who would later betray Him.
Jesus selected Judas as a disciple because, ultimately, Judas fit into God’s plan. Jesus had come to earth to die for the redemption of sinners. That death, “the just for the unjust” «For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: »,(1 Peter 3:18, NKJV), was not an accident but was God’s intended purpose. When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming for baptism, he spoke of Jesus as a sacrifice: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” «The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and says, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. », (John 1:29, ESV).
Jesus was not fooled by Judas. He knew exactly what Judas was like and what he was going to do: “Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him” «But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. », (John 6:64). In Judas, we have a clear example of how a person can be religious, hear the Word of God taught, witness genuine miracles, and for all appearances seem to be saved, and yet not be born again.
One of the reasons Jesus chose Judas was that prophecy had to be fulfilled. Speaking of His imminent betrayal, Jesus says, “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him” (Matthew 26:24;cf: John 13:18).
After Christ’s resurrection, Peter also points to fulfilled prophecy in relation to Judas: “Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus” «Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spoke before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. », (Acts 1:16, ESV). He also links J
udas’s actions to Psalms 69:25 and 109:8 «For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, And let no man dwell therein: and His bishoprick let another take. », (Acts 1:20).
Another reason that Jesus chose Judas was that God’s sovereign plan had to be accomplished. In Acts 2:23, Peter states in his sermon to the people of Jerusalem that “this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men” «him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: », (Acts 2:23, ESV). Not only was the betrayal of Jesus foreknown by God, but it was part of His “definite plan.”
So, Jesus chose Judas to fulfill prophecy and because the plan of God required someone to betray the innocent Son of Man. However, none of this means that Judas and others who condemned and crucified Jesus were without fault. Judas Iscariot bore the responsibility for what he chose to do. Jesus said, “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” «The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born. », (Mark 14:21).
Peter also speaks about the sovereign plan of God and the guilt of those who act in sinful ways. In Acts 3:17, Peter says, “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”
ut” (Acts 3:17-19). Even though the people had “acted in ignorance” in fulfilling prophecy, and even though Christ had to suffer according to God’s plan, the individuals who caused Jesus’ death were guilty and needed to “repent.”
Throughout the Bible, we observe that God can utilize even the most wicked of human actions for good (see Genesis 50:20). Nothing could be more wicked than betraying and murdering the Son of God. Yet, despite that evil— even through that evil— God provided salvation and “disarmed the powers and authorities [and] . . . made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them” «and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. », (Colossians 2:15).
God does not create evil, but He does control it. God does not partake in sin, but, in His power and wisdom, God can and sometimes does use the sin already present in our world to accomplish His purpose. Judas was chosen with the foreknowledge of God that he would betray Jesus, but his betrayal, instead of thwarting God’s plan for salvation, actually furthered it.
