When it comes to the wicked people in the Bible, Christians can have mixed reactions. As sinners, we realize that each of us deserves Hell just like everyone else. However, when someone commits an egregious sin, we feel justified in hating what that person did and maybe even the person who continues pushing people away from the Lord. It is a conundrum that pits righteous indignation against the mercy of God. Knowing the correct response is sometimes difficult. For instance, when someone murders or abuses multiple people, your immediate response may be to want that person to be put to death. But do you also hope that God will have mercy on and change that person? It is possible to respond both ways.
While the disciples waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit, Peter encouraged them to pick a replacement for Judas Iscariot. You can imagine the mixed response when his name was mentioned. Judas had been a disciple with the Twelve from the beginning. He had been picked by Jesus Himself. However, it was later revealed that he was a thief, false disciple, and turncoat. It was his actions that enabled the religious leaders to capture Jesus and eventually have Him executed. What did the disciples think about Judas? And how should we respond to what he did?
- What does it say?
In those days, Peter stood up in the middle of the brothers (there was a crowd of about 120 names) and said, “Men, brothers, it was necessary for the Scriptures to have been fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, the one who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. Because he was numbered with us and was given an allotted portion of this ministry. For indeed this man therefore acquired a field with the wages of unrighteousness. And having fallen headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines came out. And it became known to all who inhabited Jerusalem so that it was called the field in their own language Akeldama, that is Field of Blood. For it was written in the Book of Psalms, ‘Let his dwelling become desolate and let there not be a person living in it,’ and ‘Let another take his office.’ Therefore, it is necessary for one of the men who accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us having begun from the baptism of John until the day in which He was taken up from us, to become a witness of his resurrection with us.” - What does it mean?
Judas was the fulfillment of prophecy.
He was a traitor (Acts 1:16).
He was a false disciple (Acts 1:17).
He had a gruesome ending (Acts 1:18-19).
He was judged by God (Acts 1:20-22).
Judas had to be replaced.
His replacement must be a trusted disciple (Acts 1:21-23).
His replacement was chosen by God (Acts 1:24-26). - How does it apply?
God has included the wicked in His plans.
The events that happened during Judas’ life were not unknown to God. The fact that he would betray the Lord, be a false disciple, die in agony, and be judged by God were all things that were planned from the beginning. This is shown by what the Holy Spirit led David to write in his psalms many years before the events took place. God was in control despite the wicked choices made by Judas and the others.
When you interact with ungodly people, remember this. God is in control even when the wicked are spewing their wickedness, fighting against God’s ways, and harming other people. As Christians, we do not determine how things will turn out. It may be that God will make another Paul from a wicked Saul in the near future. It may be that God uses you to pull someone out of the fire hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
But things don’t always turn out that way. Sadly, some people are Hell bent. They love their sin and want to oppose all who want to love and serve the Lord. We should warn them about their sin. We should tell them about God’s love. But in the end, we must leave the wicked in God’s capable hands. He is aware and will use even the wicked to accomplish His purposes.
God has included the godly in His plans.
Peter was right to find a man to replace Judas. Jesus had promised that the twelve disciples would rule with Him in the future. So, someone had to take the traitor’s place. But it had to be someone who was a trusted and faithful disciples. They found this in someone who had been with them since the time of John the Baptist. And God, who is always in charge of these things, chose Matthias to be the twelfth disciples.
When you interact with wicked people, you may be tempted to feel oppressed and alone. But look around and notice what God has been doing. You are not alone. There are many other Christians who have remained true to the Lord. And when they are needed, God will raise them up, put them in place, and empower them for what is needed.
While we do not hear about Matthias after this, I would assume that he was used by God just as much as the other disciples. If you think about it, only Peter, James, and John are mentioned in the Book of Acts. But God sent the disciples around the world into the places where they would be used best. God was in control the whole time and His work never failed because of the faithful workers who kept serving despite the opposition.
Conclusion
When you are discouraged by the influence of wicked people in the world, remember that God is still in control. No part of Judas’ life was a surprise to God. While Judas did some very bad things, God incorporated his betrayal of Jesus into His master plan to get Jesus to the cross. And even though the cross was a terrible place, God used it to take away the sins of the world. So, keep trusting in God’s ability to orchestrate His plans amidst the sinful actions of some and the ministry of the godly few. Seek to point people away from sin, love them as Jesus did, but always trust that God is in control no matter how things turn out.
Bibliography
Barnes, Albert, Barnes Notes on the Bible in the PocketBible app by Laridian.
Toussaint, Stabley D., “Acts” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, USA: SP Publications, 1983.