Another Judas Iscariot?

 

 After a special night vigil, Judas Iscariot was one of the 12 disciples that Jesus Christ called, ordained to be with Him and He commissioned them to preach the gospel. He endowed them with power to heal sicknesses and cast out devils. John 3:35; Mk 3:13-19; Eccl. 8:4

 

All the disciples were exposed to the power in His words, the gospel of the Kingdom of God was made real to them by using various parables. Jesus Christ was so specific about the Conditionalities for those that will make it to heaven. He did not hide from them God’s expectations and His desires for His disciples as they work with Him to establish the will of God on earth. Matt 5:1-16; Matt.13:18-23, 24-30; John 17:2-3.

 

The disciples were always around when Jesus Christ was ministering, He demonstrated the power of God with which He was anointed to save the sinners, heal the sick and deliver those that were oppressed by the devil. Acts 10:38; Matt 12:15; Matt 8:16-17. Their attachment to the Lord was so serious when Jesus asked whether they would want to go back after he had given a down to earth message and some of the disciples withdrew. John 6:63-69. He remains a role model to the disciples and by extension to those that will believe Him. He humbled himself; to the extent that he stooped down to wash the disciples’ feet. He called them his friends and not servants. Hence there was no servant/master relationship. They were always together, robbing minds together on matters pertaining to the Kingdom of God. John 15:15.

 

At the appropriate time, Jesus Christ sent out the twelve disciples for field work (in- service training) for them to put to practise all he had taught them, Judas Iscariot was involved in this assignment, they went out two by two to preach the gospel. Mk 6:7-8, 13-14. Jesus Christ taught them about team’s work and place of faith in the ministry. Again he called out seventy disciples to preach the gospel for the expansion of the Kingdom of God.He taught them to love one another with the demonstration of the love which is pure and it is from above, so that souls of men can be saved. John 13:34-35.

 

With all the deep insight that Jesus Christ gave the disciples in respect to power in his words and its effect. His ministry was with authority, and infallible proof. One would have thought that Judas Iscariot’s life must have been transformed to conform to the image of his Lord. At a time, Judas Iscariot was made the treasurer. Thereby all the finances of the ministry of Jesus Christ and the disciples was entrusted unto him. What a great responsibility for 3years to manage the purse of a powerful and glorious ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. His master, Jesus Christ remained loyal and was committed to His Father till the end; Judas was a witness to all the attributes exhibited by his master, his prayer life was consistent and super in order to maintain a constant link with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. John 8:28-29.

 

At a critical moment, Jesus Christ was faced with making a choice worth eternal value. At the garden of gethsemane with agony, He prayed through by submitting his will to the will of God. Mk 14:35-36. At challenging moment we have to look up to God for help in prayers and by holding to the word of God by faith. We have to follow in his steps, if we really want to follow him. 1Pet 2:21. May be Judas Iscariot due to Coveteousness have been taking money from the purse unlawfully. It was with money that the devil used to trap him to truncate his destiny – Lk 22:3-6; John 12:3-8. One would ask a big question about Judas Iscariot, was he pretending all the while to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Or that he was a backslider. Jn 17:12; Pro 21:16. Going through the scriptures, there are lots of prophesies about the birth, ministry of Jesus Christ, his betrayal, death, burial and resurrection. All these came to pass to the letter. Mt 24:35.

 

Judas Iscariot decided to fulfil the part of betraying his Lord. Ps 55:12-15 gave the details in prophesy about the messiah’s betrayal:-

1.     From a friend of Jesus Christ.

2.     He reproached and betrayed his friend.

3.     He pretended to love his master.

4.     He magnified himself above his master.

5.     He was untrue to trust.

6.     He appeared to be a guide and counsellor.

7.     An acquaintance of Jesus Christ.

8.     He had sweet fellowship with Jesus Christ

9.     Fellow worshipper of God with Jesus Christ.

 

With 30 pieces of silver (the amount to buy a slave) was received from the high priest to betray his master with a kiss of mockery. Mk 14:44-45. There are 4 types of kisses

1)    Kiss of mockery. 2 Chr 36:16

2)    Ancient family greetings. Gen 27:26

3)    Kiss of gratitude. Lk 7:45

4)    Kiss of salutation (Pauline salutation) 2 Cor 13:12

 

There was a curse upon those who do the work of God deceitfully. Jer 48:10; Mt 26:24; 16:21; Ps  69:22-28; Ps 109:8. Judas Iscariot’s day was short, in shame and confusion, he returned the money to the high priest, though it was rejected, he committed suicide and another person took his office. Acts 1:20-26.

 

King David chosen by God as commander of Israel, he needs destiny helpers. Looking into the profiles of the 400 people that joined him, all would be written off. But let’s wait and see what happened to them thereafter with their commitment to King David and yieldedness to their training. 1 Sam 22:2; 1 Sam 21:19-22; 2 Sam 23:8-13, 15-17. History was established, there was an odd man out in the service of King David in Israel named Ahithophel – the Judas of old testament. Absalom established a strong conspiracy against his father. He was termed to be the greatest thief in his time. He stole the hearts of the men of Israel, Ahithophel an extra ordinary counsellor was involved. Absalom relied on the counsel of this wonderful counsellor to dethrone his father – King David. When King David was told about the involvement of Ahithophel, King David prayed, 2 Sam 15:31; 2 Sam 16:20; 2 Sam 17:7. Like Judas of NT, Ahithophel’s counsel against his master – King David was defeated, thereafter he hanged himself. 2 Sam 17:23. It is not good to join the multitude to do evil.

 

If we faint in the time of adversity, it means our strength (faith) is small. Pro 24:10. The way out to avoid being another Judas Iscariot.Heb 6:6; Prov 1:10.

1)    We must fortify our inner man with the word of God richly and it should rule our lives. Also to be addicted to the word of God; abide in it and live by it. No room for any manipulation by the flesh/devil. John 15:1-8. Serving God in Spirit and in truth. John 4:24; Col 3:16-17; Joshua 1:8

2)    Avoid giving any chance to the devil to rob us of our joy of salvation. John 10:10, Ps 119:9-11.

3)    We have to resist the devil and yield unto the Almighty God with all sincerity of heart as the Holy Spirit leads. Obedience should be our watchword and not sacrifice. 1 Sam 15:22’Is 1:19-20; Deut 29:9

4)    Taking time to worship and praise God at all times, with pure heart and trusting Him fully. Rm 9:33; 10:11.

5)    Being involved in aggressive evangelism to populate the Kingdom of Go; this is the best way to glorify the Almighty God and put the devil to shame.

6)    Never love the world, neither the things that are in the world. 1 John 2:15-17

7)    Remaining focused all the way, giving no room to any distraction but to frustrate the devil and his cohorts. Heb 12:2

8)     There should not be room for compromise, keeping God’s standard, precepts,principles and to be sustained. Ps 1:1-3; Is 58:11.

9)    Maintaining a lifestyle of holiness. Heb 12:14; Titus 2:11-13; 1 Pet 1:16