JUDAS ISCARIOT - THE BETRAYER. When he had said these things, Jesus was greatly distressed in spirit, and testified, “I tell you the solemn truth, one of you will betray me.” (John 13:21 NET) Jesus had been in ministry for the last three years and was certainly not unknown in the region. Although, in his heart, Judas had turned against Jesus teaching and philosophy, I am at a loss to understand what his specific act was that constituted a betrayal. As I mentioned earlier, Jesus was reasonably well known, and identifying him for capture would not have been a very difficult thing for anyone. The Word of God says GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN Then Jesus, because he knew everything that was going to happen to him, came and asked them, “Who are you looking for?” They replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He told them, “I am he.” (Now Judas, the one who betrayed him, was standing there with them.) (John 18:4, 5 NET) GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK Right away, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. With him came a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and experts in the law and elders. (Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him and lead him away under guard.”) When Judas arrived, he went up to Jesus immediately and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. Then they took hold of him and arrested him. (Mark 14:43-46 NET) GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd appeared, and the man named Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He walked up to Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:47, 48 NET) GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATHEW While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. (Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him!”) Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi,” and kissed him. (Matthew 26:47-49 NET) There are many people in todays world that do much worse things against the church, which is the body of Christ, but according to the Word, they are all capable of being redeemed; Judas, on the other hand, is cursed for all time. The Son of Man will go as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had never been born.” (Matthew 26:24 NET) How was this much different from what Simon Peter did in denying Jesus? I dont pretend I understand, but I have never heard anyone raise any doubts on this issue. Since, apparently everyone else does understand, would anyone care to clarify? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 04:18:58 +0000
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