Judas Iscariot Week 14, 2012

He was selected with care after all night prayer from a list of possible apostles who had faithfully followed Jesus from John’s baptism (Lk6:12-16; Acts 1:21) and sent with other apostles and disciples on two occasions to minister the gospel in power. Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and every illness Mt 10:1(ISV). In these he exercised authority to cast out evil spirits and also healed people Lk 9:6. He was appointed by Jesus to hold the money bag for the apostolic band; one of the few trusted with specific duties. Judas was in charge of the money, some of them thought that Jesus had told him to buy something they needed for the festival. Others thought that Jesus had told him to give some money to the poor Jn 13:29(CEV). He joined in to hail Jesus coming into Jerusalem, pulling off coats and casting them on the donkey in adoration for Jesus to sit upon (Mk 11:7).
He suffered hunger on occasion with other disciples needing to pluck corn and eat it from the hands (Mt12:1). He abused the opportunity of handling money to steal. He pretended to care for the poor when his eyes were on money to steal from. Judas did not really care about the poor. He asked this because he carried the moneybag and sometimes would steal from it Jn 12:6(CEV). When his plot failed the hook of greed led him to specifically request money in exchange for betraying Jesus (Mt 26:7-16). When given an opportunity to repent publicly he parried the matter (Mt26:21-25).
Unsatisfied greed gave opportunity for Satan to plant a seed in his heart. By supper time, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray him Jn 13:2(ISV). Unrepentance when given opportunity gave room for Satan to enter the apostle’s heart. After he had taken the piece of bread, Satan entered him Jn 13:27. Participating in the last supper brought judgement and hardening to the unrepentant. Closeness to Jesus and partaking of the gifts and powers of the kingdom did not replace the need for discipline. None is immune from temptation. Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack 1Pe 5:8(CEV).
Pretense, refusal to be corrected publicly. Was Peter not rebuked publicly? When he realized what he had done, his sorrow did not send him back to God, but to the enemies of Jesus (Mt27:3). An apostle by calling, a disaster by submission to sin.
And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. Mk 13:37