South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-01-17
HOLDS PETER AND
JUDAS MUCH ALIKE
Rev. A. E. Thomas Thinks
Popular View of Betrayer
a Bit 0verdraWn.

Rev. A. f. Thomas. pastor Of the
First Brethren church, spoke on the
subject Judas Iscariot." He told
the story Of the life OF Judas, his
sins and the memory and lessons
that are carried after him. In part
he said:
NO character in the Bible has
been more adversely discussed. or
seems to have disguised people more,
than the character Of Judas Iscariot.
Artists have painted him with Satan
like features. have made him a crea-
ture hateful TO look upon. At the
same time they give to Peter a great
and splendid personality. Was there
in reality such a great difference be-
tween these two men who followed
Jesus2
when 1 began to study Judas |
found that there existed two widely
divergent views Of him among think
ers. The popular view is that Of
utmost contempt and the certainty
that Judas was a very devil him.
Marie Corelli who paints her picture
Of Judas in her splendid book,
'Barabbas.' 1 believe that her pic
ture Of that unfortunate man is cor
rect and entirely scriptural.
CorelII's Picture.
Marie Corelli tells Of a bright,
energetic young man, full Of posi-
bilities and Of great PROMISE
youth Of and for a future. He be-
Heves in his Jesus and his Jesus
can never die. that his Christ is di-
vine. His neighbors and acquaint-
ances have scoffed at him and his
chosen Master. He determines 10
prove to them the power of his
Lord. L viii show you what He is
thinks he. He puts thought into
action and leads the enemies Of
Jesus 10 his place of prayer and
preparation. Judas did not betray
his Lord for three paltry dollars.
That small sum could not have been
the cause Of his action. He must
have had some other and greater
motive. He made the great mistake
of following out his own brain crea-
ton without conference with his
Master.
Let us look for n little while at
the view of Jesus. One Of you hath
"a devil. This does not necessarily
apply to Judas. Jesus told Peter
once: Get thee behind me, Satan
One of you hath a devil meant SIM
ply that in you there is a capacity
for evil Where evil is, there is the
devil. Why did Jesus choose a man
with n devil? Why did He choose
you and me? There is capacity for
evil in all Of us humans: He chose
imperfect men. Maybe Judas had
craze for money. If he did. he
has many descendants among us.
There are many people right here in
South Bend who would betray their
Christ for less than 80 pieces of sill
YER.
Man Is Free Agent.
Jesus permitted Judas to do this
thing because man is a free agent.
God Himself can not save a man
against that mans will Salvation
depends upon the will of the in
dividual. When Judas said with the
others at the supper. Lord. is ii -
he vas just as sincere as the others.
The change from goodness to evil
came after the question. just as il
comes 20 you and me. Altered cir
Cumstances create a change in our
thought and comfort. Might we not
tomorrow do the very thing that
Judas did that night in the garden?
But all the disciples felt a personal
weakness and doubt within them
selves. They were uncertain as to
just what their own capacities for
evil were.
But woe unto that man By whom
he is betrayed. But this does not
peculiarly apply 10 Judas. Ii APP
plies just well To YOU and TO me.
1 feel that / ought 10 change nv
name because of my betrayals of
Jesus Christ. We must answer lust
as Judas did. When thar lie was
on your lips il were better for YOU
that you had never been born. When
We make life a failure in service. in
Righteousness. when we conceal our
talents; II is certainly as though we
had never been born for the world
viii never know or care any more
for us than If we had never come
into the world. We may betrav our
trusts, violate our vows We are all
sons OF Serdition until we are saved
by the blood OF the Lamb. The -
disciples We're "a true picture of all
mankind; they We're imperfect men
Judas fell in error. So did Peter.
but Peter came back with punch. .
He hated his own act OF denial and
sought 10 rectify the wrong he had
done his Master"
TO GIVE CHURCH SUPPER