Having a good name is important. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1). When you read about “a good name” I do not mean the actual name you are called. It has to do with the integrity within you that leads to things that will ultimately bless you along with others close to you. Having a good name means that people will trust you. Hebrews 13:7 is a passage about pastors and those that are under their direction. The verse closes with these words, “…considering the end of their conversation.” The word “conversation” means their manner of life, how they try to live and behave. If their name is good, then there is trust, respect, and acceptance of their delivering the word of God to you and to the rest the congregation. Our names even live beyond our own physical lives. I often think of many men and women, now gone, that had been a part of my life, whose lives were marked by having a good name. You can see that having a good name is important by the way that Proverbs 22:1 reads.
But literal names are also important. Judas! Just that name stimulates the mind and immediately we go to the story of the betrayal of Jesus. People don’t even name their dogs Judas these days. However, the name was not always associated with betrayal. Two hundred years before Judas Iscariot was born there was another Judas. He was known as Judas, the Hammer, Maccabeus. Antiochus IV, aka Epiphanes, profaned the Temple by having a pig offered on the altar in the Temple. Women, recently pregnant, that had their sons circumcised had those very sons killed and their little bodies hanged about their necks as they were made to walk through the streets in Jerusalem. Many atrocities are recorded by Antiochus IV. The complete story of the Maccabees and their revolt can be found in a very simple-to-read book by the late, great Harry Ironside. It is called “The 400 Silent Years.” The title is connected with the years between Malachi in the Old Testament and Matthew in the New Testament. It was during these years that Judas Maccabeus would become a hero to the Jewish people during his life and even after his death. His name became very popular among the families in Israel.
Judas Iscariot would have been one of those little boys two hundred years later. It was a respected name among the people. The parent’s that named their sons Judas hung that moniker on the little boy because they had hopes he would grow up to be a trusted, respected man of integrity. But all kids don’t take advantage of the family name. A name the dad and mom had worked decades to lift high is on many occasions tossed aside. The value of a good name is squandered. If you think about Judas Iscariot and the opportunities, it is staggering. First opportunity, he would have known the story of the great hero Judas Maccabeus he had been named after. Most little boys love stories of heroism. That is the path he was set on by loving parents. Second opportunity, we don’t know what his childhood or adolescent years were like, but we do know that as a young man, probably in his early twenties, he was actually chosen by Christ to be an apostle. He originally would have been a disciple, which means “learner,” but would be promoted to an apostle which means a “sent one.” Mark 3:15 says, “And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:” The whole passage tells us that Jesus ordained them, sent them to preach, and gave them the supernatural power to heal the sick and to cast our devils. Judas was just as much a part of the original twelve as Peter, James, or John. He had the same power given to him as they did. Third opportunity, Matthew 26:50 tells us that Jesus literally calls Judas Iscariot “Friend.” Imagine the Son of God looking straight at you with those beautiful, kind eyes and calling you a “friend” all the while knowing what is in your heart? That is what happened to Judas.
Why did he betray Christ? John 12:6 lets us know at least one of his motivations. He was a thief. That description was given by John decades after the betrayal took place. Not a single one of the apostles knew he was a thief. The only one that knew of Judas’ wretched heart was Christ. Everyone else trusted him with the money bag. Why not, he was named after a well-known hero and had been involved with their merry little band for over three years. Only when the betrayal happened did they know he was a traitor. Jesus gave him at least three opportunities and most likely many more which we don’t have recorded for us.
One final thought for today. Most parents only wish the best for their children. They seek to give every opportunity to have their child succeed. Nice name, biblical direction, discipline, and good nurturing. We dress and feed them right, educate them while giving them security as they grow. But, despite their best efforts the child doesn’t always follow a wise path. The mom and dad were hoping for a John the Baptist and ended up with John Dillinger. I am sure if Judas’ parents were alive at the time of the betrayal, the embarrassment and humiliation would have been devastating. One thing I have learned over the years is to not be too critical of others when their children walk a path not consistent with the desires of mom and dad. A mentor of mine who pastors in South Carolina taught me this over thirty years ago. He told me to be careful with my criticisms because the Lord himself had two children who were perfect, living in a perfect environment having daily conversations with the Lord himself and they still chose to sin and rebel. Opportunities are given to all of us many times over just like Judas. Let’s take the opportunity of living up to the name we have been called since Antioch, Christians.