Sunday, May 19, 2019

(05/19/2019) Judas Chosen By Jesus


A contemporary depiction of Jesus identified in the darkness of night to be arrested by the kiss of Judas (image reference below).



Today, reply is on the choosing of Judas as an apostle of Jesus in spite of the Savior’s awareness that Judas was likely to betray him. Judas represented Israel defiled through captivity and exile, that nevertheless was in perpetual covenant with divinity. It is written: 2nd Kings 17: 14-15, King James Version (KJV): 14 Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God. 15 And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them. Jesus did not covet a large donation from the Temple at Jerusalem, as did Judas. Thus, the character of divinity revealed through the ministry of Jesus Christ includes faithfulness (fidelity), forbearance, forgiveness, grace, longsuffering, and wisdom. Jesus behaved with a conviction that the doctrine and tools provided by the Father and the Spirit would allow every man missing opportunities for repentance, and a portion as the new creation. The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “David” (Level 7 with 173,130 points, a member since September 05, 2009) posted the following:



Why Did Jesus Choose Judas Iscariot as One of the Twelve While Knowing in Advance Judas Would be the Betrayer?



THE GOLDEN ARROW: Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. (Psalms 65: 4, King James Version, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Blaspheming the Holy Spirit (05/08/2019); Accounts To Reveal Divinity (04/28/2019); The Use of Money? (01/07/2019); The Discernment of Godliness (07/13/2018); Judas Kept The Bag (03/22/2018); Someone Who Is Kidding? (03/24/2017); A “Successor” To Jesus? (02/22/2018); Doing GOD’s Plan (02/20/2014); “Prayer Death”? (02/21/2014)



David”, Jesus choice of Judas must be seen in the light that all have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD. Developing Christians are to understand that, because Adam and Eve transgressed the divine law, mankind is to exist displaying a condition of mortality, and now experiences life under a continuing sentence of condemnation and death. Even so, ongoing operations, relationships, and the official tribunals of judgment allow mankind to communicate, exchange and interact with divinity without bias, prejudice, and prejudgment. Sinners are granted opportunities to display their own integrity of being, their own content of divine substance, and their willingness to be returned to GOD through operations of the divine fullness (we also say, divinity; the Godhead; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

The assessment and weighing of human attitudes, behavior, and conduct are more to identify and reveal the character and nature of sin than to attach a list of offenses to someones name (reputation). Many are blind to the “exceeding sinfulness of sin,” and fail to realize that sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Lawgiver, and the entire Creation. Sin is contrary to both divine and human nature; yet, sin may dominate consciousness and self-will (willpower) within created beings and living creatures. Through judgment, the harshness of divine condemnation appears balanced against sacred completeness, discernment, impartiality, lovingkindness, mercy, restraint, and righteousness.

Jesus knew “what was in mankind” (i.e., understood the possibility for a man to express either an animal, human, or divine natureor even a nature that is a confusion of the three). He understood that those to whom he was sent were capable of hatred, murder, and violence against himself. Even so, he trusted that the outcome of operations by GOD through Incarnation would provide redemption, renewal, and salvation for both heaven and earth. A new creation and the fulfillment of eternal purpose would be accomplished by imparting fresh endowments of spirit substance from the makeup of GOD; immutable assurances, covenant, and testimony as well as forgiveness, clear expectations (hope), rebirth, sacred knowledge, and greater strength to endure suffering.

The ministry of Jesus was to provide grace to mankind. Jesus did not choose Judas desiring that Judas be a betrayer; and the Lord acknowledged Judas (and all the others) were capable of treachery. Jesus admonished and warned the twelve; however, he made no angry declaration of punishment against Judas or any one of the others. Jesus remained steadfast, and did not despair or quit his efforts to guide and prepare the full twelve. At the time they were introduced, Jesus recognized the pattern presented by Judas (ABCDEFG...XYZ is coming); and understood Judas would most likely be the one to betray the Christ. Even so, Judas was given opportunities to discover, to fellowship, to learn, repent, and be made new. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

1. Ezekiel 18: 19-24, King James Version (KJV): 19 Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? 24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

2. Matthew 26: 20-25, KJV: 20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. 21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? 23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 3. Romans 6: 15-23, KJV: 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


Image downloaded 12:36 PM, May 19, 2019 @ https://bibleartists.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/6a-the-kiss-of-judas-jesus-mafa.jpg



THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

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