Why Judas was Chosen


John 6:70-71Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?…

In reference to the apostleship of Judas, certain questions are eagerly pressed. If Jesus knew all men, was He deceived in Judas? If not deceived, why did He call him? When He discovered his true character, why did He not dismiss him? In view of such questions, it is to be noted(1) that he attached himself to Jesus as a disciple before he was made an apostle; and for his profession of discipleship he is himself responsible;
(2) that, being a professed disciple, Jesus appointed him to be one of the twelve;
(3) that Jesus, on whom no mock faith could impose, knew what manner of man he was; and(4) that his testimony in favour of Jesus, in its own place, and within its own limbs, is as valuable as that of any. Had there been fault in Jesus, he was the man to find it out and tell it; indeed there was the strongest possible reason why he should have told it, to quiet his own conscience and justify his conduct. Not one of the twelve has borne more distinct testimony to the truth — vital to the Christian system — that Jesus is the Sinless One.
(J. Culross, D. D.)

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