|
Faithful Judas Iscariot
by Chris Umeweni I had always called Judas Iscariot all kinds of silly names like greedy; covetous; a betrayer and many more for betraying Jesus until I found out he lived an honest and better life in his time than most of us Christians do now. Concerning him, the bible says, "Then one of the Twelve [apostles], who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the Chief Priests And said, What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you? And they weighed out for and paid to him thirty pieces of silver [about twenty-one dollars and sixty cents]. And from that moment he sought a fitting opportunity to betray Him" (Matt. 26:14-16 Amplified Bible). When I took an in-depth study into his life, I found out it took him time consenting to betraying Jesus. There was a bargain. Also, more of the in-depth studies made me realize that twenty-one dollars and sixty cents (as the Amplified bible puts it) was no small money then. Checking the equivalent of that amount after 2,000 years, that is, our time now should worth millions. No wonder the bible records in Matthew 27:6-8 that the money could buy a large piece of field. Think of that. It was no small money. After the arrest of Jesus, Judas was even full of remorse that the bible said of him, "Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the Chief Priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood" (Matt. 27:3,4a). What a height of remorse! A great heart of repentance! Though his failure to understand the forgiving heart of God and His mercies that endures forever to the broken and contrite-hearted, led him to commit suicide. As I studied about Judas, I began comparing him to Christians of our present day who claim to have Jesus living in their hearts yet sell Him for a bribe - so cheap. What about Sisters who give their bodies to men just for a token, and Brothers who defile Sisters. Sometimes we tell lies at a snap of finger when faced with issues of life. Beloved, it is high time we stopped reading the bible like story books and begin reading it with life by the help of God's Spirit. Comparing our lives with men who lived in the bible days will clearly let us know that we aren't living up to Christian standards. Still most Christians commit these atrocities and iniquities and yet have seared their consciences with hot iron that they no longer feel remorse for wrong doings. See how many years it took Judas in His walk with Jesus to betray Him; and compare it with how many times we betray and sell Jesus daily. If Judas were to rise up against us at this present time, I perceive he is going to be found faithful. Let us stay focused in this race we run on a narrow road for, "No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier" (2Tim. 2:4). An Evangellist cum Author http://www.chrisumeweni.com Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |