When you hear the name "Judas Iscariot", a person's reaction is not very positive....for some it is a sad name to hear, others almost react in anger, and yet others...really don't know what to think of this guy.......I read where one guy indicated the very pronunciation of his first name has "sealed the fate of the Jewish nation"....his betrayal of the Christ and the fact the first syllable in his first name "Ju"...is a constant mental identification of what the "Jews" did to Christ. I myself do not adhere to that, for I think we are all responsible....I'm just sayin'.
In the Scriptures, Judas doesn't have a whole lot going for him in reference to positive or good things he might have done. In fact, there are only 2 people in the entire Scriptures who were referred to as the "Son of Perdition"...the Antichrist...and Judas Iscariot... this can't be good.
It is also the only recorded Scripture that specifically states Satan entered a person...as he did into Judas on the evening he chose to betray Jesus.
And if that wasn't enough, Jesus makes a comment along the lines of:"...it would have been better for him...if he had never been born."...referring to...Judas Iscariot.
Not what you might call a good resume in honoring Christ.......
So, Judas Iscariot...why did Jesus choose him to be one of the "Original 12" in the first place? Why would a person want to trust someone...whom He very well knew would "stab him in the back"...at the right moment?
I guess I will first look at what the Sacred Scriptures actually say...about Judas Iscariot.
It seems to me Judas never really got what Jesus was really after...the surrender of our hearts to His way of life. Judas was with Him for over 3 years, saw and perhaps even participated in miracles, watched the 5000 being fed, and heard the message of the Sermon on the Mount. Yet, the Scriptures never seem to confirm whether Judas really accepted Christ as His Savior and even more important...His Lord.
Yet, when it comes to Peter...his story is much different. Although he denied Christ 3 different times on the night of the trial, Peter seemed to have a much closer relationship with Christ Jesus...than that of Judas. Throughout the Gospels Jesus is consistently encouraging Peter...the Scriptures give no indication Judas had a relationship with Christ like that. You never read of Judas asking questions like Peter did when he was with Jesus, you never read of Judas participation or reactions to things that Jesus did...like Peter, in fact, you really don't know much at all of how Judas really felt about Christ Jesus.
Yet, in John 6:70 Jesus makes this clear: "I have chosen and am responsible for all 12 of you...yet one of you...is a devil." It is also thought in some circles that in John 17:12, Jesus mentions how He has protected the 12 as His Father had wished and that not one would be lost...except the son of perdition" is a direct reference to...Judas Iscariot.
On the other hand, Peter, when astounded upon hearing how the Lord Jesus was telling the disciples how He was to die, said...(paraphrased) "No way we will let that happen!" Jesus then looked at Peter and said: " Get behind me Satan, you are trying to get in my way...your thoughts are a reaction of human nature...I am here to obey the very nature...of God."
Hmmm?
Judas Iscariot's reaction to one event that is recorded in the Scripture...seems to indicate what Judas was really like. It was a setting that is rather incredible.
It was 6 days before Passover...the very week we now call "Holy Week", shortly before Palm Sunday. There had been a dinner arranged in honor of Jesus at the home of Lazarus...whom Jesus had recently raised from the dead. Martha and Mary (sisters of Lazarus) were preparing dinner and Martha was serving...when suddenly Mary does something a "little crazy"... she anoints Jesus feet with a very expensive perfume.
In that day and time, the washing of feet was not totally uncustomary, it was done for many who would enter a home after having travelled, and the style of eating a meal was not in chairs, but often reclined...like in almost a cot or bed...or sometimes a nice rug over the floor. Anyway, Mary breaks open this 12 oz. jar of "Nard" (instead of water)...which was a precious spice from India that was sweet and red and had a gladiola scent. It was said to be worth about a year's wages.
Now..enter Judas Iscariot. At this dinner, it appears the 12 disciples had also been invited to the dinner...and when Mary bathed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair in this "Nard"...Judas came "unglued". By the way, women of that culture never revealed their hair in such a matter, yet with Mary acting in an almost reckless abandon...really gave this gesture a very dramatic effect....now Judas Iscariot.
Judas had something to say about all this going on and makes " the Daily Scripture Headlines"! Judas responds: "Hey...that perfume is expensive! We could have sold this...and given the money to the poor!" Then in John 12:6...the true motive of Judas reaction is written: "...Judas did not care about the poor...he was a thief...and since he was the treasurer of Jesus and His disciples, Judas was known to have taken some of the money for himself...on various occasions...in other words ...he stole it."
Not a good way to be remembered in the Scriptures...right?
More to come....
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