I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold. — John 17:12b
This is part of a prayer Jesus shares with His Father. Here Jesus is sharing with His Father how He has guarded His disciples from evil. No one, He says, is lost—except for Judas, the one headed for destruction.
This verse is a challenge for me. I hold firm that we can turn from God (and each of us has at one point or points in our sinful lives), but Jesus never turns from us. I read this heart-heavy verse and interpret it to mean that Jesus doesn’t extend care or intervention to Judas.
I want to hear Jesus say to Judas, “I know you had to betray me to the Romans the night I was in Garden of Gethsemane. How else would the authorities know to come to me? But now the job is done. Or it’s almost done. I have to say what is true. I forgive you.”
Jesus doesn’t come to Judas, and Jesus must have known Judas’ fate.
Jesus didn’t save everyone, including the Rich Young Ruler who turned away from Jesus and salvation. (I hope the ruler returned to Jesus later and committed his life to following Jesus or followed Jesus to salvation after hearing an apostle or two preach.)
Judas died unreached and unforgiven in this life. This informs me of something important. Jesus followed the Scriptures. We should, too.
PRAYER: Lord, we pray for those who turn from You or ignore Your life-saving message of salvation. As we follow the Scriptures, may we share Your message of grace and salvation to those who, in ways, are like Judas and the Rich Young Ruler. Amen.