We trust the Holy Spirit to simplify it for us.
Please, read on.
Who is JUDAS ISCARIOT?
Hmmm...
When you hear that name what comes to your mind? I mean JUDAS
ISCARIOT. What picture comes to your mind?
Do you know the name JUDAS is a variant of JUDAH: which mean
PRAISE or praise God?
Sincerely, if you go to a christening ceremony (outside of a
Jewish pedigree) and the baby’s name was announced to be Judas, you are likely
to scoff say “what a name?” In fact, you may even believe the child is already
sentenced to a destiny of a betrayal.
THE APPOINTMENT
As we continue, you will see several personalities eventually
displayed by Judas Iscariot. One of the important part is how he was first
introduced.
Mark 3:14 New International Version (NIV)
“He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he
might send them out to preach”
First thing we see here was that there was an appointment.
Now, the importance placed on the person appointed depends on
the person appointing especially when you know the personality and values of
the later.
JUDAS didn’t bribe his way to being a disciple. He was CALLED
or rather he had the calling of God over his life. Just like Peter, Nathaniel,
James and John, Judas Iscariot was chosen. I know it seems uI’m sorry but we
have to deal with that.
JUDAS THE EVANGELIST
Matthew 10:1-5 (NIV)
1. Jesus
called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure
spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2. These are
the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his
brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
3. Philip and
Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and
Thaddaeus;
4. Simon the
Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5. These
twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the
Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
Having established the fact that JUDAS was called, anointed
and chosen, now we see another grace he exhibited. He was an evangelist. He was
part of those sent to preach. He handled evangelism first hand. I mean, he was
with the Twelve and they all had the responsibility of spreading the gospel.
Jesus actually sent him. He went to neighborhoods reaching out. I can imagine
his word “repent for the kingdom of God is at hand…”
Gabriel Obasa
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