The Fate of Judas
Acts 1:15-20.
In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,
“Brothers, the 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.
“For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”
(Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.
And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.
“For it is written in the book of Psalms,
“‘May his camp become desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it’:
and
“‘Let another take his office.”‘
Dear Pilgrims and Sojourners,
The disciples had begun to see the ministry of Jesus in the broader context of God’s plan, as taught in the Old Testament. They also saw the circumstances of his death and resurrection as the fulfillment of scripture.
Foretold (v. 15-17).
Judas had crafted his evil plans for personal gain, but the will of God was accomplished in that wicked design. As it turned out, Judas’ betrayal of Jesus and his death were spoken: “beforehand by the mouth of David.” Peter attributed the words of David to the Holy Spirit, a clear statement that the Old Testament was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Fulfilled (v. 18-19).
The account here is somewhat different from that of Matthew (Matthew 27:3-8) but there is no contradiction. Matthew records that Judas returned the blood money to the chief priests, who bought a field that became a burial ground for strangers. Luke says Judas “acquired a field,” which could mean the field was bought with Judas’ money. The same applies to the nature of Judas’ death. Matthew says he hanged himself while Luke says he fell headlong. The two may have followed one another in a sequence that ended with the bowels of Judas bursting open.
The point Peter is making is that Judas’ end was the fulfillment of scripture.
Forsaken (v. 20).
David’s prophecy was that Judas’ camp would “become desolate” (Psalm 69:25) and that another would take his place (Psalm 109:8). The desolation, in this case, is the empty space left in the band of twelve, which needed to be filled.
The tragic end of Judas should be a reminder to all of us that our evil, selfish designs will not frustrate the plan of God. In fact, they will serve the eternal purposes of God. But the person who departs from God to pursue selfish goals will come to a tragic end, and another will replace him. God will always find someone to serve him.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.