The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1906-04-13
LITTLE SERMONS.
JUDAS ISCARIOT.-BY o. o. WRIGHT.

Matt s6: IS: "What will We give me. and l
will deliver him unto yOu?"
"Judas," in the Hebrew, signifies
''praised." 1t is a noble name in the
history of Gods people. "1scariot" is
derived, probably, from the place in
Judah where be belonged. Was he
we'll born? Or did he have sad in
heritance of evil? Was he we'll brought
up? Or was he neglected and abused?
Could he help doing as he did? Or was
he simply raised up to act the part as
signed to him in this divine tragedy?
What could have been the sufficient
motive to such terrible deed: There
are many questions which naturally
arise as we dwell upon the dreadful
story.
1t is natural for us in our human
weakness, perhaps, to think that
there may be some excuse for this
bad from his youth up? Was he
wicked man when the Lord chose him,
or at least permitted him to be one of
the twelve to whom were committed
the mysteries of the spiritual King
dom, which He came to bring into the
lives of men? If he was thief as st
John declares, why was he made the
steward of the poor but sacred COM
pany, and entrusted with the common
funds of their support?
But supposing that Jesus knew that
Judas was bad, and that he would be-
tray Him! Is that any ground Of ex-
cuse for him.. Was there any fate in
the case which took away the moral re-
spCnsibility of the traitor? Did Judas
stand in any different relation to Jesus
than the other Apostles? Can we in
| fer that the infinite wisdom and love
failed IN any sense to be just and true,
and good to this unfortunate brother?
Surprising that he was false, covet-
Gus, and treacherouS from the begin
ming, and that our Lord knew that un-
der any circumstances his evil DISPOSE
tion and sinful tendency would grow
| in him until he should come to his IL
nal crisis and destruction! Was his
case then any different so far as Christ
was concerned from that of John, or
any other disciple? Was it any differ
ent, so far as the eternal principles OF
Righteousness and holy love are in.
yOlved, from that of our own lives,
here, to- day? Indeed, in some re.
spects, did he not have exceptional
privileges and opportunities for re.
pentance and the culture of the spirit.
ual nature?
Let us think what his life must have
been during those three years in the
constant presence and companionship
Of Him who ''Spake as never man
spake," whose spirit was purity, truth
and love divine; who knew no sin, anC
could discern the thoughts and inten
tions of others. If Judas could not be
good and true in the daily, persona
fellowship of the Son Of God, seeing
the good deeds, hearing the gracious
words, feeling the wondrous affection
and observing the divine perfection o
the meek and lowly Saviour of men
what reason can we have to frame an.
excuse for him before God! 4
Is it not the same old story Of unbe
lief and sin which is true to our com
mon humanity? Is it not the sam
mystery of iniquity which works sc
= cretly in the hearts and minds of tn
L. deluded children of men, in all tn
world? to
Judas carried the bag He was tn
Il treasurer and steward Of the. Lord
u family--the Church. | would like t
j. know how he came to be chosen to tina
trust? Perhaps he was not Chosen, bu
- naturally assumed the Fssponsibilit!
Was it not bad thing fsT him to hay
the care of the money and goods of tt
"a company? But, if it was a tenn ptatio
I to sin, it was no less an opportunit
K. for faithful service. There was tt
If same chance for film to become Sair
Judas Iscariot that Simon, son Of j.
= nah, had to become st Peter. TT
greater the Htemptation to sin, tt
greater the virtue in overcoming tx
tempter Peter was liar, ThOm
-. was douhter, the apostles were a
l aI men of passions, preludices and intirr
tiles common to all, and why could D.
- Id I,-/., vii h,x
Saint than Peter, James, Or John?
Judas was evidently selfish, cOvetO
and greedy Of gain. He may have hi
ambition also as to a high position
the prospective Kingdom of Chris
ok But think how often Jesus must ha
rebuked that spirit. How many O
- portunitieS Judas must have had to
- pent Of his besctting sin! But it on
grew the more in him, and perhaps