His Own Place

Many lessons can be learned from the infamous betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot. There is a statement in Acts about Judas that is an eternal chilling warning to all of us:

“…Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place” Acts 1:25

At first, “his own place” or “our own place” doesn’t sound that bad. In fact, “my own place” sounds kind of nice, comfortable, and set up the way I like it. And that is exactly the problem! Think about what Judas turned away from. He turned away from “this ministry and apostleship” (Ac 1:25) to “go to his own place.”

First, what could possibly cause ANYONE to leave the ministry of Jesus (literally, in his case, serving with Jesus Himself in person) to go your own way and do your own thing? With Judas, money seems to be at least one major factor affecting his choices. And, while we gasp at Judas’ stealing and accepting blood money for Jesus, our choices aren’t much different when we choose working and recreation over things like worship, giving, and serving. Do we “go to our own place” when we should be going to “God’s own place”?

Second, what could possible cause ANYONE to leave the apostleship of Jesus? Judas was chosen by Jesus to be one of His special representatives, an ambassador. Judas was there for all the teaching and a witness of the miracles, yet he betrayed Jesus “to go to his own place.” This is a warning to us: “…let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12). No matter how much teaching we have received or how long we have served the Lord, we can be tempted to go our own way. Judas is a chilling warning to stay strong!

Perhaps the most chilling aspect of to “go to his own place” is that it wasn’t to “go to God’s place.” The place we deserve, “our place,” is hell because all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). Although “my place” sounds nice and comfortable (and is therefore so attractive), “my place” isn’t “God’s place” and therefore all of God’s positive qualities aren’t there. That’s hell (2 Thess 1:9). Judas chose “his own place” over being with Jesus. He chose “his own place” over “his place with his Lord.” That’s the choice we’re making when we choose our own way; when we choose to sin. We leave our place with our Lord for eternity and choose our own place away from Him forever.   dd