Jesus chooses Judas after praying all night. He chooses each of the twelve because of qualities He senses, and bonds that are already growing. He choose them because together they represent all the major qualities of energy and personality, so that together they can appeal to everyone, and together they can represent all aspects of life. Twelve disciples to start the new "twelve tribes" of the New Covenant.
Judas is a sleeper in a sense. He is more attached to position, fame, and wealth than the other eleven. Yet in some ways he is the deepest in potential. He is too much "within himself," but he also has the marks of greatness if he ever comes out- sees it clearly- buys it all the way. He, like Jesus, is a Pharisee. He has many influential friends and relatives. He is enthralled with the newness and daring of Jesus. He keeps the books because he is a good organizer, and adept at such things. Levi could, but it is easier on everybody to let Judas do it- since Judas is well educated and above suspicion.
As with all of the twelve, Jesus is taking a chance with Judas. Any of the twelve could crack under the pressure of these last days- each in a different way, perhaps, but each one could crack. How close to it the others get, we do not know. That they all come pretty close is revealed in how confused they are when Jesus mentions the subject.
Judas, having been forgiven for total betrayal, will be the only one who really understands how total is the grace of Jesus Christ- and how full the Gospel really is. Sadly, Judas betrays Jesus more in his suicide than he does in his bargain with the chief priest. He does not stay around long enough to be forgiven. He cannot imagine it. He cuts out before Jesus can get back to him. That is the biggest glitch in the whole operation.
From the Book "The Believer's Road" by Bruce Van Blair. (Luke Twenty-Two)
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