Judas and Pilate: Parallel Paths to Perdition

The parallel lives of two of history's most infamous men bear solemn warnings for us today.

As some of you may know I have been making my way through the definitive book on the life of Jesus, The Desire of Ages by E.G. White.  I am almost finished (when I'm done I'll do a full review), which, as you may have guessed, means that I am reading about the final events of Jesus' life here on earth.  In the past two chapters I have read, White has gone into more detail about two of the darker players in the drama, Judas Iscariot and Pontius Pilate.  As I was out on a walk I was struck with the thought how similar the life path's of these two men were, and how those paths ultimately ended in a premature death.

White devotes an entire chapter of the book to Judas, and paints a very solemn picture in regards to his life.  I was struck with how far gone this man really was even before his betrayal of his alleged master (I'll get to the "alleged" part in a moment).  The chapter opens in this way.

"The history of Judas presents the sad ending of a life that might have been honored of God. Had Judas died before his last journey to Jerusalem he would have been regarded as a man worthy of a place among the twelve, and one who would be greatly missed. The abhorrence which has followed him through the centuries would not have existed but for the attributes revealed at the close of his history. But it was for a purpose that his character was laid open to the world. It was to be a warning to all who, like him, should betray sacred trusts." pg. 716

I find it interesting that nobody would have known what he was capable of if he had died an earlier death.  It is difficult for many to comprehend that people could have seen Judas as a good guy because we all look backwards through the lens of the betrayal.  Those living and interacting with him could easily have been fooled by the charade that he was acting out to make himself seem righteous.  However, beneath the veneer was something much more sinister.

"Judas had naturally a strong love for money; but he had not always been corrupt enough to do such a deed as this. He had fostered the evil spirit of avarice until it had become the ruling motive of his life. The love of mammon overbalanced his love for Christ. Through becoming the slave of one vice he gave himself to Satan, to be driven to any lengths in sin." Ibid

This is what I was referring to earlier when I stated that Jesus was his "alleged master".  The role of conscientious disciple was simply a cover to further his own gains.

Judas was constantly chafing at Jesus' humility and refusal to set up an earthly kingdom.  Jesus, of course, was quite aware of what was going on even if nobody else was.

"In all that Christ said to His disciples, there was something with which, in heart, Judas disagreed. Under his influence the leaven of disaffection was fast doing its work. The disciples did not see the real agency in all this; but Jesus saw that Satan was communicating his attributes to Judas, and thus opening up a channel through which to influence the other disciples. This, a year before the betrayal, Christ declared. "Have not I chosen you twelve," He said, "and one of you is a devil?" John 6:70."  pg. 718

We often look at that statement in light of the betrayal, but Judas was working against Jesus the entire way.  However, as hard as his heart was there were still chances to repent.  He did not take advantage of them, and as we know from the biblical account, Judas went out and hanged himself.

Pontius Pilate also gets a chapter in the book.  This chapter is less of a character study as the previous one, but still deals a fair amount with how one's choices can cause their life to go horribly wrong.  In contrast to Judas, there was much less mystery regarding Pilate's true character traits.  People knew what he was like.

"The priests thought that with the weak and vacillating Pilate they could carry through their plans without trouble. Before this he had signed the death warrant hastily, condemning to death men they knew were not worthy of death. In his estimation the life of a prisoner was of little account; whether he were innocent or guilty was of no special consequence."  pg. 725

Despite the weakness, vacillation, etc. Pilate could not bring himself to condemn Jesus.  He was impressed with the way He carried Himself in the midst of the mob.  That, coupled with the positive reports Pilate had previously heard, did not match with the accusations being hurled at Him by the priests.  He asked for a private interview.

Jesus took full advantage of this time to try and win Pilate over to the side of truth, but Pilate did not surrender himself to the prodding of the Holy Spirit, and as White put it, "Pilate's golden opportunity had passed."  This wasn't the only opportunity he missed.

"If at the first Pilate had stood firm, refusing to condemn a man whom he found guiltless, he would have broken the fatal chain that was to bind him in remorse and guilt as long as he lived. Had he carried out his convictions of right, the Jews would not have presumed to dictate to him. Christ would have been put to death, but the guilt would not have rested upon Pilate. But Pilate had taken step after step in the violation of his conscience. He had excused himself from judging with justice and equity, and he now found himself almost helpless in the hands of the priests and rulers. His wavering and indecision proved his ruin."  pg. 732

He chose to save himself instead of saving Jesus.  A choice that always backfires.

"Pilate longed to deliver Jesus. But he saw that he could not do this, and yet retain his own position and honor. . . . Pilate yielded to the demands of the mob. Rather than risk losing his position, he delivered Jesus up to be crucified. But in spite of his precautions, the very thing he dreaded afterward came upon him. His honors were stripped from him, he was cast down from his high office, and, stung by remorse and wounded pride, not long after the crucifixion he ended his own life."  pg 738

So here are two men, both came in contact with the Son of God, both chose to live for themselves rather than live for Him, and both ultimately ending dying by their own hand.  Every moment of every day we must make the choices that they did not make, lest our fate be similar to theirs.