Well, we have finally made it - our study on JESUS' 12 DISCIPLES has come to an end! Here, we get to meet Judas Iscariot - known mainly as the one who BETRAYED JESUS for 20 pieces of silver.
In "The Chosen" we see him as the "treasurer". He is known to have stolen from the "poorbag" and in the Gospels we know he was the one who objected when Mary "anointedJesus" with expensive ointment.
"A dinner was prepared in Jesus' honour. Martha served and Lazarus was among those who ate with Him. Then Mary took a 12 ounce jar of expensive perfume made from the essence of nard, and she annointed Jesus' feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray Him, said: "That perfume was worth a year's wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor." Not that he cared for the poor - he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciple's money, he often stole some for himself."
"Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me." John 12:2-8 (NLT)
Judas was close to Jesus. He saw all His miracles and listened to His teaching. Most of the other disciples liked him, and trusted his job as the "teasurer". He paid for their food and their expenses.
Although, there is no reference in the Gospel of Judas' call by Jesus, we do know that he believed in Him as the PROMISED MESSIAH.
At the LAST SUPPER Jesus announced that He would be betrayed.
Judas then went and "made a deal with the Chief Priests". Afterward, he betrayed Jesus with A KISS. He was later filled with remorse and killed himself.
"While He was speaking, a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of 12, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss Him, but Jesus asked Him, "JUDAS, ARE YOU BETRAYING THE SON OF MAN WITH A KISS?" Luke 27:47&48 (NIV)
"So Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself." Matthew 27:5 (NLT)
MATTHIAS
"Then they all prayed, "O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which one of these men you have chosen, as an Apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs." Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an Apostle with the other eleven." Acts 1:24-26 (NLT)
The name Matthias means "gift of Yahweh". He preached the Gospel in Judea, then moved on to other foreign lands, reaching out to Gentiles. He endured trials and was martyrd for his faith, probably stoning, beheaded or crucified.
In the Gospels and Acts we discover that all the disciples, except Judas, were sent out by Jesus to minister and preach, first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles.
"When you enter a house, first say, "PEACE TO THIS HOUSE". If someone who promotes PEACE is there, your PEACE WILL REST ON THEM; if not, it will return to you." Luke 10:5&6 (NIV)
The disciples had a great BLESSING, being able to go out and minister to those who were sick, who just needed to hear the Gospel - God's Word. Spending time with Jesus was the most special time in their Spiritual growth.
There is hardly a country today that has not had the name of a Saint in their Church - a disciple. A place that doesn't know the NAME OF JESUS, because his Apostles were His servants. We still talk about Jesus' MERCY, KINDNESS, FORGIVENESS and SALVATION. We too can cultivate His ministry in our lives and can live a life of LOVE AND JOY, sharing the DISCIPLES LIVES as we live out THE GOSPELS!
"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION", 2011, Biblica
"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW LIVING TRANSLATION", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
"THE CHOSEN" - Series 1 & 5, "First Apperance", "Last Supper", Luke Dimyan, Prime Video
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