‘Except’

‘Except’

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name: those that You gave me I have kept, and none of them is lost, except the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

John 17:12

What are we to make of the relationship of Christ and Judas Iscariot?  We must consider that as Christ was praying, He made reference to the fact that He had ‘kept’ all of the disciples ‘except the son of perdition,’ (or destruction).  Where can we begin in our consideration of this relationship?  Here is what we know.  All of us, as the sons and daughters of Adam’s fallen race are sinners by nature and by choice.  Out of that mass of humanity, descending to hell, God saves some.  There is a good argument to be made for the idea that He saves more than are lost, ‘that in all things He might have the preeminence.’  Having said that, the Scripture makes it clear that not all are saved.  The question becomes, if they will not be saved should they hear the gospel?  According to Christ and His actions, they should.  It was Christ Who declared the Gospel in Genesis 3:15 to Satan.  The first and simplest articulation of the Gospel message was to someone who would never repent.  So also, Christ spared no effort to treat Judas Iscariot as He did all the other disciples.  How this fits into the plan and purpose of God is difficult to derive.  The fact is, it pleases God to do so.  As we consider our own circumstances, let us rejoice that the Gospel has taken root in our hearts, and that ‘salvation is of the Lord.’  We do not always understand why God does as He does.  We do know that He does all things well.  In order for us to achieve a fuller understanding, we must wait until Christ makes all things plain.

Our Holy and Wise God,
we want to understand Your ways,
We rejoice that by the power of the Holy Spirit,
You will give us wisdom in due course of time.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning