Jesus understood just what it was that Judas was prepared to do:
John 13: 21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”
John understands this not as Jesus being troubled regarding His fate, but troubled out of pity for Judas. We are to mourn those who do evil, not for those who suffer evil. It is an overpowering statement for me. If I have in view only this world, then it is an impossible statement. But this is not (or should not) be the view of one who lives in and for the Kingdom. God’s wrath will come to the persecutors, and to the uttermost:
1 Thessalonians 2: 14(b) For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
Consider the many trouble spots in the world today, with each of us having a clear idea of which side is the persecuted and which the persecutor. The persecuted will receive the Kingdom; the persecutors will receive everlasting death. Yet, for which do I mourn? For which should I mourn? The answer to both questions is not the same for me; this only shows how far I am from this teaching and understanding.
Do you see that it is right to grieve and mourn most of all for those who do evil?
No, I don’t. Well…I didn’t. But it sure is a lot to ask. Obviously not possible without plenty of help from the Holy Spirit.
