For Bible Study today, we started John 12, and we discussed the first 11 verses. What is interesting to me was this - John gave an insight into Judas Iscariot that the other Gospels did not.
When Mary anointed Jesus with a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, Judas was not happy and said, "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" (v.5)
John then provided more information for the benefit of the readers of the Gospel, that "he said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it." (v.6)
What I gather from it is this:
1. Judas' betrayal was not at the spur of the moment. It would have been the result of gradually falling into temptation until it was too late. Most if not all the disciples were Jesus' disciples with their own purpose and reasons. Each of them came with an agenda, albeit selfish or noble. But Jesus taught them, and led them. However, all of them misunderstood Jesus most of the time. Judas betrayed him, Peter denied him. Judas gave up, Peter stuck on and was soon reinstated and restored by Jesus.
2. Many people would conclude that God predestined Judas to hell. In that, if Judas had not betrayed Jesus, Jesus would not have been crucified and salvation work will not be complete. Therefore, someone had to be the victim. However, if we look at the whole picture, wouldn't you agree that even if Judas had not betrayed him, the Jews would have arrested and killed Jesus nonetheless - "So from that day on they made plans to put him to death." (11:53) Judas only made it easier.
pearlie
God's plans and purposes will come to pass.
ReplyDeleteSusan
Thanks for the sharing, Pearlie. Please keep me in your mailing list (Christian articles etc) if you have one. To your blessed day ahead!
ReplyDeleteJudas is tragic character; he approached Christ, in order to get personal gain, as opposed by Mary, who sacrificed personal gain, in annointing Jesus..
ReplyDeleteHowever, Judas getting the money, then committed suicide,so died with his money.
Does this enlighten us something? Y
Yesterday I over heard BBC broadcast said:
US 's prevalent prosperity gospel which encourages people to take up loans so as to excel in lavish spending and attest a succesful material blessing life style, has actually contributed to the recent financial turmoil...
Maybe can relate something between prosperity gospel and Judas?
Susan,
ReplyDeleteAmen!
Hi James,
ReplyDeleteI don't have any mailing list so to speak, just the blog :) Thanks for your patience in reading my musings and thoughts and sharing my life when I sometimes share about it.
不肖生 Sceptics,
ReplyDeleteI suppose all of the disciples, and ourselves included have one time or another been in it for ourselves, for personal gain. It is how we allow Jesus to change us that matters.
Judas killed himself but reading the text, he was soon convicted but did not have to courage to come back to Jesus to face him and ask for forgiveness. Or else, he could have been saved.
I am not sure how to connect prosperity gospel with Judas. I think they are two different things though the subject is the same. Prosperity gospel is really a misreading of Scriptures. I have a friend who once gave me a list of 100 verses of prosperity. Reading just the first few bible verses that according to them talk about prosperity had my eyes almos dropped out of my eye socket. Serious misinterpretation of Scriptures and justification for loving and seeking material wealth.