Judas Iscariot who was he?
According to the BibleGateway.com's Topical Index:
Judas Iscariot: Betrayed Jesus, his master and teacher. He was the one who handed Jesus over to the high priests, although Jesus is quick to point out that they could have taken him whenever they wanted to. For his betrayal, Judas Iscariot was given 30 pieces of silver, which he later tried to give back before killing himself.
Here was his problem:
Judas was one of "The Twelve" disciples. This meant that he ate, drank, slept, and walked with Jesus. He was a witness as Jesus performed all of his miracles, feeding, healing and teaching the people. He was present when Jesus debated the chief priests and scribes. He was on the inside of Jesus Christ's "immediate circle", saw the would be Savior with his own eyes! Yet, he did not believe. Judas used his personal sovereignty, and decided to override the overwhelming evidence, and make the decision to betray Jesus.
How did he betray Jesus? He went to the chief priests and made a deal with them. They had already decided that Jesus was a rabble rouser and wanted to get rid of Him. Why? Because He was taking away all of their followers! Awwwww! Poor things! So, here came Judas:
Mark 14:10-11 ( New International Version @2010 )
10. Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.
11. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
The Chief Priests promised Judas 30 pieces of Silver for Jesus and Judas came up with a plan to point Jesus out to the Temple Guard by betraying him with a kiss. These days that's called the "Kiss of Betrayal" or the "Judas Kiss", or the "Kiss of Death". Whatever it's named, it's not a good thing. . . . .
Mark 14: 43-48 ( New International Version @2010 )
43. Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.
44. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.”
45. Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him.
46. The men seized Jesus and arrested him.
47. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
48. “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?
49. Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”
50. Then everyone deserted him and fled.
It's amazing to know that God ALLOWED this to happen! He ALLOWED Judas to become one of the Twelve, even though he would eventually betray Jesus. He ALLOWED Judas to live with Jesus for the last three years of his life. He ALLOWED Judas to go to the Chief and Scribes and make a deal to turn over Jesus to them. He ALLOWED Judas to sit across Jesus during the Last Supper and ask "Lord, is it I?" He even ALLOWED Jesus to tell Judas to "Do what you must do and do it quickly.", and Judas ran to get the Temple Guard.
Every single step, God allowed! Why? To fulfill the scriptures! The human race is was in the balance between heaven and hell. Jesus Christ's sole purpose on the Earth was to die as a propitiation ( substitute ) for man's sin. Last, but in no way least. Jesus KNEW Judas was a snake in the grass and going to betray him, yet He LOVED Judas! Right up to that "last look" He gave Judas in the Judgment Hall! Wow!
After these events Judas went back to the Chief Priests and tried to return the money. However, it was against their law to take "Blood Money". So Judas threw it to the temple floor and immediately went out, and NOT repented, but HUNG HIMSELF!
Yes, believe it or not, if Judas wanted to repent of the sins he had committed ( including turning Jesus Christ over to the Chief Priests to be tortured and crucified ), he COULD HAVE AND WOULD HAVE BEEN CLEANSED AND COVERED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SAVIOR! Because Judas did not, and killed himself, the consequences of physical death are IRREVERSIBLE! Now, he will have to stand before God and give an account to God as to why not make a decision for Christ. After all, the Gospel was CLEARLY presented to him by living with the Savior for three years! What excuse can he give?
I ask you the same question! What is your 30 pieces of silver? What is keeping you back from accepting Christ as your Savior? Whatever it is under the sun, it will not satisfy, it will not last, you cannot take it with you to the grave, and it cannot wash and save you from sin.
Judas no doubt thought he had hit the jackpot when he got his 30 pieces of silver. But he realized soon after his action, that it wasn't worth it. Jesus Christ came that man would be released from the bondage of sin and given another chance at life. A new life in Christ! Nothing else on this Earth can do that. Jesus Christ's death on the cross sealed the deal, so that the ONLY way to God is through Him. Nothing else!
But, God is so merciful that He placed NO RESTRICTIONS on who comes to Christ!
John 3:16 ( King James Version )
16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
That word WHOSOEVER means no restrictions! No matter what race, sexual status, religion, financial status, rich, poor, elite, common, beggar, thief, etc. As I may have mentioned before, though they were tremendously hated, Hitler, Stalin, Duvali, Pol Pot, etc could have come. And if they could have come, that means yes, you too, can come!
There is room at the cross for more.
