Friend, Why Have You Come

Friend, Why Have You Come

Here we meet two people who are at the end of their respective lives on earth. Judas had greeted Jesus, had called Him Rabbi, and had kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, “Why have you come?”

Why had he come? He had his place among the twelve, so Jesus had good reason to ask him this question—he, the disciple, in the midst of the religious leaders who opposed Jesus and wanted to take His life. There was something here that did not tolerate the light. The question must have pricked Judas’ heart, but he had turned away and hardened himself every time the truth knocked on the door of his heart, so that he had become evil in the end. He had become a devil. Jesus said, “Did I not chose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” John 6:70. He who could have been good by being filled with the mind and Spirit of Christ, a son of God, had now become evil, a devil.

This happened because of his hardness and obstinacy. Covetousness—more money—ruled over him despite the fact that he had heard the Word. He remained in the service of Satan and sin even though he was chosen to be a disciple. Now it had come so far that he betrayed his Lord and Master. He regretted his action afterwards, but as the Scriptures say, “‘Just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Zech. 7:13. It could have been good if he had corrected everything, but he found no room for repentance; it had gone too far. This was a sin that led to death, and there was no help for it. 1 John 5:16. Satan, whose aim was to destroy him, had gained power, and he completed his work by persuading Judas to hang himself.

We see the opposite in Jesus. He made Himself of no reputation and was faithful to everything He heard from His Father. Jesus had borne all of Judas’ unfaithfulness in holy devotion to God, so that Jesus overcame not only all of Judas’ evil works, but indirectly they became a powerful proof of Jesus’ goodness when He addressed him with “Friend.”

This was also the case with Joseph and his brothers. Their evil and hard hearts destroyed nothing in Joseph, but indirectly it became a means of Joseph’s greatness.

So also with David and Saul and all the others who were obedient and faithful to God. They encountered evil people on their way, but their evil could not but help present the Lord’s servants in a glorious light.

When we encounter such evil people, they are our indirect helpers to the radiance of the glory that we will possess. Therefore the Scriptures say, “Do not think it strange . . . .” 1 Pet. 4:12. This is part of the stewardship.

When a person no longer wants to fight against sin, but hardens his heart, he becomes evil, and Satan deceives him into fighting against the saints.

The apostle Paul also persecuted the saints, but he did it in ignorance and in unbelief; therefore he received mercy and after his conversion became one of the Lord’s witnesses.

All those who fight against Jesus’ disciples and the doctrine of Christ should think about this. Why are you doing it? You cannot harm Jesus’ disciples. They are well protected, but you can destroy yourself. There is no salvation for a person who has become a devil; everything is lost. Devils cannot repent. They have left their own estate and cannot go back.

Wake up! Repent before it is too late! You will succeed through humility and endurance. Jesus says, “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24.

When you have come to where Jesus is, you truly have something to live and to die for. You will be measured and weighed, and everything will become thanksgiving and praise to God and to Jesus Christ, who in His abundant grace has granted you this tremendous salvation.