Matthew 26:45-50 (KJV)
Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. [46] Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. [47] And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. [48] Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. [49] And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. [50] And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
Jesus knew he was to be betrayed and took with him his trusted trio to watch and pray with him. However Judas a fellow disciple was the culprit ( or so we believe in this betrayal ) .What is the meaning of the kiss of Judas ?Psalm 2:12 (KJV)
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Kissing becomes an act of obedience to the Divine Will of God. Why was Judas in this role as betrayer? Prior to the instruction given to Judas at the the Last Supper of Jesus ,he Jesus ,had copious examples where he taught the Mystery of the Kingdom (Mark 4:10-11,34 (KJV)
And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. [11] And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: [34] But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Judas was with the twelve when Jesus taught them the meaning of the Kingdom of God. Arriving at the occasion of he Last Supper ,something profound occurred : John 13:18-28 (KJV)
I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. [19] Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he . [20] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. [21] When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. [22] Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. [23] Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. [24] Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. [25] He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? [26] Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it . And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. [27] And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. [28] Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
Let us examine the scenario .
Jesus said I know who I have chosen ,however in order to fulfill scripture he Jesus had a role for each disciple to participate in . After explaining that one of the group would become a betrayer Jesus demonstrated by feeding Judas with a sop.Jesus dipped the sop ,upon consuming the sop Satan entered into the heart of Judas . this means a Spirit of Betrayal . Returning to the temptation of Jesus in the desert Jesus thwarted the attempts of Satan to Divert him from his mission of redemption of humanity . now we see the same J esus using his power to control Satan to fulfill the Divine purpose of God . He in this act is telling Judas to go and do the Job for which he was called as a 2 Timothy 2:19-21 (KJV)
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. [20] But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. [21] If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
Judas was a vessel used to carry out the Divine Will. We count him as dishonorable ,yet how does God count him. The High Priest who sat at the Sanhedrian Council stated , John 11:47-52 (KJV)
Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. [48] If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. [49] And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, [50] Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. [51] And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; [52] And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
Holy Spirit had spoken through the High Priest about Jesus dying for all the people . Judas participated nice he had gone to offer his services
Matthew 26:14-16,24-25 (KJV)
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, [15] And said unto them , What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. [16] And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. [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.
Judas had a spirit of anger in him almost like hat of Cain . He had seen the anointing of Jesus’ feet by Mary with he Alabaster Box. Notice their internal struggle as recorded in the text , yet Judas was the one who ruminated on it to approach he High Priest Matthew 26:4-9 (KJV)
And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him . [5] But they said, Not on the feast day , lest there be an uproar among the people. [6] Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, [7] There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat . [8] But when his disciples saw it , they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? [9] For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
Money it appears was important to Judas , even though it meant doing good works , Judas missed the larger meaning which Jesus described. His mind was conflicted enough to cause him to be used for this action. The progression of Judas’ action aptly fits the progression of sin 1 John 2:16 (KJV)
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. This is also the same. Progression given of the Garden of Eden Couple ,Genesis 3:6 (KJV)
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
The same selfish desire caused Adam and Eve to loose out on their spiritual standing now trips up Judas. James 1:15 (KJV)
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
God is all wise for Jesus came to give his earthly human flesh as a ransom for all.
All creation belongs to God as he uses each for his own grand design Isaiah 45:6-7 (KJV)
That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord , and there is none else. [7] I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things .
Judas becoming evil carried out the Divine prophetic word, in one act of weakness when Satan entered into his heart ,this action began the completion of the transformation of the man Jesus into becoming the Christ . Listed below are some Fullfillment of the scriptures precipitated by the betrayal action of Judas.
1.Zechariah 11:11-13 (KJV)
And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the Lord . [12] And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. [13] And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord .
2:Daniel 9:26 (KJV)
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
3. Isaiah 53:7-10,12 (KJV)
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. [8] He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. [9] And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. [10] Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. [12] Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
4. Genesis 3:15 (KJV)
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
6.Isaiah 53:3-5,7 (KJV)
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. [4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. [7] He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
7. Isaiah 53:9 (KJV)
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
8: Mark 15:42-46 (KJV)
And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, [43] Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. [44] And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. [45] And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. [46] And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
other symbolic action prophesied by Jesus of himself took place :
1. Matthew 12:39-40 (KJV)
But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: [40] For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
2: John 3:14 (KJV)
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
3. John 2:20-22 (KJV)
Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? [21] But he spake of the temple of his body. [22] When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
4. Luke 24:2-7 (KJV)
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. [3] And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. [4] And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: [5] And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? [6] He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, [7] Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
Judas was a vessel used to trigger the fulfillment of the redemptive act of salvation .that the salvation plan is a mystery made more complex by the various twist and turn in the narrative of the scriptures remains a mystery that is yet sealed to the saints of God . We read that Judas thereafter the betrayal incident repented Matthew 27:3-10 (KJV)
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, [4] Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that . [5] And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. [6] And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. [7] And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. [8] Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. [9] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; [10] And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.
Based on this statement we have some hidden mysteries that have been revealed.
Satan had entered into Judas prior to the incident of betrayal , now after noticing Jesus condemned he , Judas became repentant . What is this teaching us since scripture said Psalm 34:18,22 (KJV)
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. [22] The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. And again Psalm 51:17 (KJV)
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
According to the text the Ruling religious class tried to absolve their guilt by purchasing property with the money Judas cast on the temple floor . How symbolic since Jesus himself had overturned the money changers John 2:14-16 (KJV)
And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: [15] And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; [16] And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. Jesus had condemned the merchandising of religion in his action . Judas condemned the hypocrisy of the Priest using tribute money to pay for the betrayal of Jesus even though they had sought to kill him . Their presence is so like the politically corrupt age we live in , using others to do the dirty ugly work of humiliation of God’s people through unjust institution , monetary practices and policies. By buying a potters field to burry the dead who were destitute , they though they absolved themselves . Instead they by their action symbolized what Jesus came to do Luke 4:18-19 (KJV)
18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, .
The blood money ,was used to pay for a place for the poor dead bodies to be buried , how ironic is that ? Jesus came to give his life as a ransom sacrifice for the poor and the lost ! Luke 5:31-32 (KJV)
And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. [32] I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
As Jesus was tortured we are told the following : Luke 22:44-45 (KJV)
44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
He also had blood pouring out from various parts of his body:Mark 15:17-19 (KJV)
And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head , [18] And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! [19] And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.
From his side also poured blood and water ..John 19:32-35 (KJV)
Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. [33] But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: [34] But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. [35] And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. What was the purpose of the blood ? In the old covenant the first blood that filled the earth was the righteous Abel . In the new covenant the blood of Jesus Christ John 1:29 (KJV)
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
The blood now was applied to the earth itself that needed to be blessed in reversal of the curse to produce thorns and thistle .
It also had to release the imprisoned spirits from Adam up to the time of Christ extending to our present age and into the future when all the humans destined to be born will enter the world.
It is the blood and water and spirit hat sanctifies as Christ enters into the abyss of hell and release all the Spirit of the Just.
1 John 5:6 (KJV)
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
It is this act of redemption that opens the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers Revelation 1:18-19 (KJV)
18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
This is Jesus who has released the Keys Matthew 16:19-20 (KJV)
19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
The act of Judas ended the human earthy life of Jesus and released his spiritual life , this is Jesus who ascended into heaven
Matthew 26:64 (KJV)
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Luke 20:42 (KJV)
And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Luke 22:67-69 (KJV)
Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: [68] And if I also ask you , ye will not answer me, nor let me go. [69] Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
Like the Chaplain of our souls Jesus stated his purpose of living in the body of flesh to release mankind from condemnation.
What of the ages passed . Was the Spirit of Jesus present as is his Holy Ghost Comforter with us today .
Who was this text referring to ? Hebrews 7:1-3 (KJV)
For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; [2] To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; [3] Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Hebrews 7:2-3 (KJV)
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; [3] Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Was the spirit of Enoch the same as the Spirit of Christ ? Genesis 5:23-24 (KJV)
And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: [24] And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Jesus was resurrected into a body that was able to change to meet the needs of the Spirit .Mark 16:9-10 (KJV)
9Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
John 20:24-30 (KJV)
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. [26] And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. [27] Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. [28] And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. [29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. [30] And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
Eve and Adam the symbolic human pair unleashed the Matrix of good and evil by flirting with the ‘tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil releasing death into humanity . What was their or consequence ? Genesis 2:17 (KJV)
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. They did die since they are not here on the earth today , likewise we too will die . Acts 17:31 (KJV)
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men , in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Judas unleashed the completion of the Act of Divine Grace ,in his betrayal Jesus completed his work in the field of humanity and moved into the Spiritual Kingdom of God . 1 Corinthians 15:49,51-54 (KJV)
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. [51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Through two simple action one of disobedience by humans caused death and destruction and through pride, anger Judas betrayed Jesus . His action set in motion the corrective action of the Divine to correct the deficit to the matrix and the revelation of the spirit body into the World of humanity . The resurrection of Jesus showed humanity he capacity of the Divine and the reality of he Spirit body we hope to dwell in. Matthew 22:29-32 (KJV)
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. [30] For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. [31] But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, [32] I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
We have the promise to become Spirits with a spiritual body in the resurrection!
Judas became depressed and lost face . Jesus called the betrayer ,Matthew 26:23-25 (KJV)
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.
Judas’ name would be attached with the historic shame of betrayal by the church . Yet the disciples did not condemn him much ,WHY NOT ? The act of Judas is still unfolding . We are saved by grace , is this grace applied to us for our multitude of sins and not to Judas ? God is a mystery ,as we live our lives in him we come to accept he statement Romans 3:21-25 (KJV)
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; [22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: [23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemptions that is in Christ Jesus: [25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
May God continue to cause our spirit to desire his revelation . Let us seek justice and mercy so we too may be concealed in that day of judgement.
Grace and peace.