You Really Need To Know This About Judas

​Matt. 10:1-4 - Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these…and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him.  NASU
 
Judas was a popular name in the first century. Judas means "he shall be praised." I guess it is fair to say he didn't live up to his name. His last name isn't "Iscariot" as many people seem to think. Iscariot means "man of Kerioth."  Therefore, Judas Iscariot was actually "Judas the man of Kerioth." 

• He Associated With The Right People 

One point of interest I would like to share is Judas associated with the right people. He was with Jesus and the other disciples on a daily basis. So why didn't he make the change?
 
As any athlete can tell you having the right coach is very important. As any coach can tell you having an athlete who will not only listen but they will also apply what is being taught is vitally important.
 
Judas was associating with the right teacher and students so where did he go wrong?
 
He was given the same power and authority over unclean spirits as the other disciples. He was able to heal every kind of disease and sickness the text says.
 
Imagine all the good he could have done. He could have totally eliminated every leper camp he approached because he was given the power to heal every sickness and disease.
 
How many people do you know that have many God given talents, have associated with the right people and yet, they have wasted these talents? 

• He Said The Right Words 

John 12:3-6 - Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus… But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?" 
 
WOW!  
 
Why wasn't the perfume sold and the money given to the poor? Those words sound spiritual. How noble of Judas to think of all the poor people in the world.
 
This proves that what a person says doesn't always reveal the contents of their heart. A person's actions will tell you more about them than their words.
 
I am pretty sure we are in contact with people on a daily basis who say one thing and do another. 

• He Gave Into The Things That Tempted Him 

One thing I have noticed about our Lord and that is He will allow you to be around the things that tempt you. He didn't take the money box away from Judas even though the Bible says; Judas was a thief and stole from the box (John 12:6).
 
He could have given the money to Matthew to watch over it since he was accustomed to collecting money, but He didn't.
 
The only way you and I are going to get spiritually stronger is when we face our temptations and conquer them.
 
If you are facing temptations today don't pray that the LORD remove them. Pray that He will strengthen you to overcome them, to defeat and destroy them once and for all.
 
Judas started out traveling on the right road, but some where along the way he took a wrong turn.
 
It doesn't matter how you start it matters how you finish.
 
Think On This:
 
A hypocrite never intends to be what he pretends to be.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

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