The Big Problem with #JudasAteToo

Celebrating Judas…

Judas has really seen himself revived and repackaged as of late. He’s become a dark horse hero of sorts for a portion of our post-Christian culture. We’re living in a time when Christianity is being rejected in large part while also being piecemealed for personal gain. 

Judas is one such example. 

One of the most insidious characters of history is now being celebrated as a means of justifying unrepentant sin. 

I have seen them before, but they’re popping up more frequently as Easter approaches. The social media posts that highlight Jesus and Judas. Maybe you’ve seen them…

It's become fashionable, compelling, even decorative!

But there is something insidious and deeply troubling about this kind of theology. And that’s just what it is: It’s theology. Really bad theology.

The Appeal

The #JudasAteToo movement is an attempt to reach the hurting, the outcast, the lonely, the left out, and the sinner. The heart of the appeal seems to be meaningful and genuine. People are hurting, they know they're messed up, and they need to know they can come to Jesus.

One writer put it this way, “This phrase is meant to be inclusive of the hurting. It’s a safe place where the wounded can come for discussion, for understanding, for growth. And those touting this movement place its relevance solely at the feet of Jesus.”

How can you go wrong with something like that!? 

The phrase comes from a guy named Nic Burleson. Nic wrote, “Jesus knew He was going to be betrayed into the hands of murderers, and He knew who was going to do the betraying…And then, suddenly, I realize that I’m Judas. And in that moment, I’m so thankful and altogether overwhelmed that Judas ate, too.”

For a brief moment, this seems compelling and altogether humbling. But, upon further consideration, it is actually deeply troubling and unbiblical. Its troubling because it doesn't actually lead to Jesus.

The Problem 

The main problem with this kind of theology is that it lacks any kind of biblical reflection or foundation, and rests instead on unfounded emotion.

At its core, the #JudasAteToo movement is nothing more than an attempt to justify ourselves in our sin without the need to repent. “If Judas was so bad and did not change, yet he ate with Jesus anyway, then who is anyone to judge me, or keep me away? Who am I to think I am not worthy!? 

It becomes clear that the more we press this idea, the more we see that #JudasAteToo is a destructive false-Gospel.  

Here’s why people grab onto the #JudasAteToo idea: They think “Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, even knowing Judas would soon betray Him. He prayed, and the assumption is that Jesus prayed for Judas, too. And here is the crux of their argument: Judas was at the Communion Table, so Jesus welcomed him to eat as a friend.”

What's makes the #JudasAteToo attractive is that it's salvation without sin and no need of repentance.

The problem is that none of this is true.

Consider briefly what the Bible says about Judas…

Judas was a really good liar. For three years, Judas had convinced the disciples that he was one of them, and that he was scrupulously managing their funds. Yet, all the while, his heart was far from them; he did not share their mission, he was not loyal to Jesus, and he was likely stealing from them.  He looked great from the outside.

“Satan entered Judas.”  Twice, in Luke 22:3 and John 13:27, we are told that in order for Judas to commit his wicked act against the Lord, he was indwelt by Satan. 

Judas “sold Jesus” for money and personal gain. All four Gospel accounts make this painfully clear (Mt. 26:14-26; Mk. 14:10-11; Lk. 22:3-6; Jn. 13:21-30).  

Judas was utterly lost, and Jesus called him a son of destruction. In His High Priestly Prayer (Jn. 17), which Jesus offers after Judas has left to betray Him, Jesus says this of Judas, “While I was with them, I kept them in Your Name, which You have given Me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” And Judas’ betrayal was, in some mysterious plan unknown to us, a fulfillment of God’s will. 

Judas might Not have shared the Communion Meal. While the Gospels put Judas at the table with our Lord, John seems to indicate that when he was confronted in his sin, Judas rose and left. This highlights something important: Just because people are near the Truth and the people of God, that does not mean they know God. 

Judas might have shared the bread on the Table, but He threw away the Bread of Life that sat beside him. 

Judas kissed Jesus unto Death. In Mark 14, we read, “ And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” And when he came, he went up to Him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed Him.” 

So, the Biblical picture of Judas is anything but positive. He was a son of destruction, indwelled by Satan, and committed the most heinous act in the history of mankind. And anyone who claims the #JudasAteToo slogan is aligning themselves with the worst person in history; someone who was utterly lost to the Lord and is called a “son of destruction.” A person who is assuredly in hell.

As one writer correctly notes about Nic Burleson, “If the man who said this truly believes that he is Judas, I hope anyone he comes in contact with him is duly warned.”

I don't think Nic meant to preach so false a gospel. I certainly hope not. I hope he was trying to connect with the culture and just missed it. But this is what happens when we let emotions run unchecked and untethered from the solid ground of Scripture. There is no hope in #JudasAteToo. Because, even while Judas ate, he was destroyed. 

The #JudasAteToo message is a gospel devoid of sin and the need of salvation. Its a gospel that says come as you are, no change necessary. Which means, friends, it is no gospel at all.

The True Hope of the Gospel 

The real hope of the Gospel is not that Judas was at the Table but that Jesus was. The sinless Son of God, the Creator and Savior of the world, took the sins of mankind upon Himself, bearing them in His Own body. He was nailed to a tree, suffered and died, and three days later, He rose again!

The hope of the Gospel is not come as you, no change required. The hope of the Gospel is come as you are, son and all, and the Lord Jesus Christ will totally transform you!

I truly appreciate the words of Rebecca Davis when she writes, 

“Thank You, dear Lord Jesus, that even though Your Betrayer was there with You in close spaces for over three years, that even though he betrayed You in the most despicable way possible, that even though the religious leaders committed conspiracy in conspiring for Your death,

That You still overcame death and rose again on the third day.

You are victorious over death. Victorious over sin; even the worst possible sins, like betrayal to death.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that those who trust in You are not condemned to be a “Judas” in our lives. 

We can trust You, love You, and live for You.

As I consider it—shaking my head at even the need to say such a thing—I gladly proclaim that this is part of the gospel.

And yes, it is truly good news.

If you have trusted in the living Lord Jesus Christ, you are not Judas."