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 someone’s
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 nature—or
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
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THE
BLACK PHOENIX
Washington,
DC
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