Following Jesus 50

In our study of Following Jesus and the Twelve Disciples, we come to the twelfth disciple: Judas Iscariot. In Googling the Top Ten Traitors in the Annals of History, Judas Iscariot is ranked at #1. 
 
Let me ask this questions, as provocative as it may appear: Are you like Judas Iscariot? Are you a traitor to Jesus Christ? Let us look at some facts about Judas Iscariot.
He is mentioned in Matthew 10:4. He is always mentioned last in any list of the disciples/apostles. What is also mentioned is the comment about his betrayal of Christ. 
 
The name Judas is a form of the name “Judah.” The root meaning is “Yahweh leads.” It may also mean “one who is the object of praise.” If there is anyone who did not follow Yahweh’s leading, it was Judas. If there was anyone who did not become an object of praise it is Judas. 
 
The name Iscariot means “a man from the town of Kerioth.” Kerioth was located east of the Dead Sea. Some estimate its location as being ten miles from Hebron. Kerioth was a City of Moab. It was 23 miles southeast from Jerusalem. It was tiny farming village. 
 
The specific call of Judas is not recorded in the Scripture. He is mentioned in the listing of the group. This is a similar fact with Thomas, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and James the Less. We know comparatively little about this last group of four. 
 
Judas was the only disciple from Judah. The rest were from Galilee. His father’s name was Simon Iscariot. John 6:71; 13:26. Jesus identified Judas as a devil John 6:70. This means a slanderer or false accuser. See also John 13:2; 13:27; Luke 22:1-6. 
 
When many of Jesus’ early disciples left (John 6:66) he stayed. Why? We cannot be sure from Judas’ perspective. It is evident that Judas was not attracted to Christ because of anything spiritual. It may be that Judas was interested in the economic, political, social and cultural gain he might acquire by hanging around Jesus. 
 
We do know that Jesus was absolutely certain as to the character and ultimate destiny of Judas Iscariot. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him. 
 

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.