JUDAS, And The Prophecy Of Betrayal
“Friend, wherefore art thou come?” Matthew 26:50 KJV
It is most amazing to call someone a friend when you know he is betraying you to death. It was not in sarcasm that Jesus uttered the words below, but in sincerity. He was always Judas Iscariot’s friend, even though Judas was not His friend. And so Jesus is, for every human being, the friend of sinners, no matter how much they may oppose Him. Judas, gifted apostle of Jesus of Nazareth, untrustworthy treasurer of His band of followers, and traitor to the Lord, has much to teach us by way of warning that can lead us to more deeply appreciate the One he betrayed.
Judas was among the Twelve to whom Jesus gave power to cast out unclean spirits and to heal all manner of sickness and disease (Mt. 10:1), but he was indeed “the son of perdition” (Jn. 17:12). This son of Simon was surnamed Iscariot, or Ish Kerioth, meaning “a man of Kerioth.” Kerioth, a place south of Judah (Josh. 15:25), means “cities.” Thus Judas was of the tribe of Judah, as was the Lord Jesus, but he held the opposite value system, for he loved the things of this world.
Judas had an affinity for money and became the treasurer for the little band of disciples. Perhaps he had aspirations for political power which he thought could be met in following Jesus of Nazareth. But when he saw many disciples leave and walk no more with Him (Jn. 6:66), those aspirations apparently began to fade. At that point Jesus referred to him as a devil, or adversary, though He did not mention him by name (Jn. 6:70). (more…)
