Then one of the twelve disciples—the one named Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?” They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him. From then on Judas was looking for a good chance to hand Jesus over to them.— Matthew 26:14-16 GNT
I have been wondering who the man Judas Iscariot really was and how he ended up betraying Jesus. Judas was one of the twelve Jesus called and handpicked. He was given the power to do miracles – “One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick…So they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick.” Luke 9:1-2,6 (NLT)
Judas Iscariot and many other Jews believed what was written in the scriptures. They believed and shared the hope that God would send a Messiah to save Israel and restore a political kingdom. This hope, mainly given or spoken by some key major prophets and messianic promises, can be seen in many Old Testament passages.
One such scripture was the prophecy given by the prophet Micah – “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth. Then at last his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land. And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored around the world. And he will be the source of peace…” Micah 5:2-5 (NLT).
The messianic promise centred on God’s covenant promise to David that an everlasting throne and a future king will be from his line. “‘For the time is coming,’ says the Lord, ‘when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be his name: “The Lord Is Our Righteousness.” In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.’” Jeremiah 23:5-6 (NLT)
Scriptures like these form the backbone of Israel’s expectation of a royal Messiah and a divinely appointed king who would save Israel and then set up a political kingdom.
Many people in Jesus’ day had different views of who He was. Some believed He could be the Messiah; others saw Him simply as a teacher, a prophet and a miracle worker.
Having walked with Jesus for three years, why did Judas Iscariot turn? What was his view of who Jesus was? And how did his view shape his decisions and destiny? We shall talk more about this in the next article.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 