The Judas Conspiracy
Or
the sovereignty of God
- The Jews were under
oppression from
- MOST believed that
Jesus was that person, and it would happen soon. Simon the Zelote was a member of one of
the fanatical groups that would kill a Roman in a heart beat. It seems that Judas was also a Zelote at
heart. We can see in the
scriptures, James and John arguing about who would be the greatest in this
new kingdom. Jesus explained the
kingdom to them and they all understood it and received it except for Judas.
- Judas believed that
an economic militant kingdom would happen shortly and that
- Satan thought he
could force Jesus to use His powers improperly. Jesus never used His miracles or powers to
benefit either Himself or his disciples.
- Judas thought that
all the disciples would be in leadership positions and receive lots of
wealth, not realizing that it was the final reward that was the most
important.
- Judas is painted, not
as spiritual, but as an extremist; a patriot who was disappointed
that Jesus did not lead them into a revolt against
- I can see how Satan
could instill thoughts in Judas, that Jesus was a “false Messiah”
or else he would have set up his kingdom.
- As part of God’s
plan, before Judas was even chosen, Jesus knew that he would betray him.
- He is the only one
that “was given” to Jesus by the Father that would be lost from Him, and
that was so that the scriptures might be fulfilled.
- Judas’ actions were
voluntary, being led by his own heart.
God used him in his plan, seeing the end from the beginning. He was predestined by his own
heart.
- Judas Iscariot was a
disciple for nearly three years and had the benefit of being close to the
Savior, but was spiritually careless. He did not share Christ’s Spirit.
- Judas at best
referred to Jesus as “Rabbi”, never “Lord”.
- He was politically
inclined, looking to Jesus to deliver them from the oppression of
- He was not from
- He had a love of
money and most his comments were about how to get more money into the
treasury, so he could embezzle more.
- So jealousy, greed,
bitterness and disappointment turned into spite and a plan was hatched.
- The Son of Perdition, was never saved,
therefore he was lost. - Jesus called him “friend” up until the end, and
even washed his feet.
- The sin
of Judas
allowed Satan to enter into him and take control of his spirit, betraying
Christ.
- This brings us up
to: How could Jesus select someone
to be a disciple who would betray Him?
This is known as the
Sovereignty of God. Nothing can
thwart the plan of God.
- When the solders
asked for Jesus, He stepped forward and said twice, “I am He”. Already identified, there was no reason
for Judas to identify him with a kiss, but he did anyway.
- A kiss was adopted as a
formal greeting among “believers” and was usually given on the forehead,
cheek or beard.
- He planed and waited
for a favorable “private” opportunity for the “Kiss of
Death”.
- Judas betrayed Jesus
for 30 pieces of Silver, and then in remorse threw the money back into the
- REMORCE
- When
Judas figured it all out, he wanted to reverse things and give the
money back and when he could not, he killed himself. His remorse was not; that he had betrayed
the “Son of God”, but that Rome would not be overthrown and everybody now would
hate him for what he had done and would extract revenge on him.
- Forgiveness
–
Nowhere in scripture can we find that Judas asked for forgiveness, mercy
or deliverance from his sin, but sought suicide to silence his
tormented mind.
- Reading the different accounts of his
death, I think he hanged himself from a tree limb which hung over a cliff
and the tree limb broke off and his body fell head long down into the
ravine and burst open. I have other
emotions that say he most probably had “a little help” coming off that
tree. That just what I think, no scripture
implied
- Legend has it that the
Redbud tree is the tree that Judas hanged himself on; therefore it is also
known as “The Judas Tree”
- The scriptures
indicate that Judas went to the “place reserved for him” – Ponder that
- NOTE: Jesus instituted “The Lords Supper” after Judas was asked to leave the room. The scriptures admonish us to examine ourselves and confess our sins before we come to His table.
1 Cor 11:27-29 – Examine your self before taking communion.
27 Therefore, whoever eats
the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty
of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
28 A man ought to examine
himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
29 For anyone who eats and
drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on
himself. NIV
John 6:53-67 – Many disciples left Jesus
53 Jesus said to them,
"I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and
drink his blood; you have no life in you. ….
60 On hearing it, many of
his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
61 Aware that his
disciples were grumbling about this….there are some of you who do not believe
For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who
would betray him. 65 He went on to say, "This is why I told you that
no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."
66 From this time many
of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. NIV
Rom 8:9-10 – He did not belong to Christ
9 …And if anyone does not
have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. NIV
John 18:4-9 – I am He who you seek.
4 Jesus, knowing all that
was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you
want?" …. "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am
he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them …
Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?" And they said, "Jesus
of Nazareth."
8 "I told you that
I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let
these men go."
9 This happened so that
the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of
those you gave me." NIV
Matt 27:3-4 – Judas figures it out – it’s all over
3 When Judas, who had
betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse
and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.
4 "I have
sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." NIV
Acts 1:25- He went to his own place
25 That he may take part
of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell,
that he might go to his own place.
KJV
No comments:
Post a Comment