Luke 6:16 “Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.”
Judas Iscariot is listed last for a reason. But this reason had nothing to do with him being marginalized. Though sure enough he wasn’t a member of the inner circle (Peter, James, And John) we have reason to believe he was considered great among the group. He was the treasurer. He sat near Christ at the last supper. He was more familiar than most with he day to day operations of Christ’s ministry. Thus, there was nothing about him to suggest to his associates that he would be anything less than loyal.
But notice that he ‘became a traitor’ according to Luke. This is an interesting way to put it, but is surely quite accurate. For one thing, though we are all born sinners (and capable of treachery), nobody is born a traitor. You have to grow into it, though some of us begin to practice at an early age. But, secondly, it seems that Judas was at first quite interested in the message of Christ, and would have considered himself dedicated to the cause. But, over time as it became clearer that Jesus had something altogether different in mind than the popular concept of the Messiah, his leanings the other way developed. Jesus was fulfilling the biblical view of the Messiah, not the popular view.
No condition is more pitiful than a man who has forsaken much for a cause, only to decide in the process that he is completely against it. Indeed, as with Judas, he must come to a place of self-deception, thinking that good is evil, and evil good. And in this way it is possible for the apparent servants of Christ to become something else entirely.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your protection from lies! You constantly remind us of the truth. What a mercy that is! We praise you for rescuing us from the deception that this world lives in every day. Only by Your truth may we see what is real and find what is valuable. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.