SUNDAY 6TH MAY, 2018 MORNING PRAYER DEVOTION
SCRIPTURE READING:– MATTHEW 27:1-10
TOPIC:- DON’T BE JUDAS ISCARIOT [1]
TEXT:– JOHN 6:71
Judas Iscariot [is-kar’-i-ot] means man of kerioth. Judas a native of Kerioth or Karioth. He is sometimes called “the son of Simon,” John 6:71; 13:2,26. But more commonly ISCARIOTES, Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:16.
The name Iscariot has received many interpretations more of less conjectural. The most probable is from Ish Kerioth, i.e. “man of Kerioth,” a town in the tribe of Judah, Joshua 15:25. He was one of the twelve Apostles and the betrayer of Jesus.
1. Judas’ Early History:
He was the son of Simon. The meaning of Iscariot explaining why it was applied to his father also. The first Scriptural reference to Judas is his election to the Apostleship. See Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:16.
Of the life of Judas before the appearance of his name in the lists of the apostles we know absolutely nothing. What that appearance implies, however, is that, he had previously declared himself a disciple.
He was drawn, as the others were, by the preaching of the Baptist, or his own Messianic hopes, or the “gracious words” of the new Teacher, to leave his former life, and to obey the call of the Prophet of Nazareth. The choice was not made, we must remember, without a provision of its issue, John 6:64.
The germs of the evil, in all likelihood, unfolded themselves gradually. He may have been present at the preaching of John the Baptist at Bethany beyond Jordan, John 1:28, but more probably he first met Jesus during the return of the latter through Judea with His followers, John 3:22.
2. Judas Iscariot Before The Betrayal:
The rules to which the twelve were subject in their first journey, Matthew 10:9-10, sheltered him from the temptation that would have been most dangerous to him. The new form of life, of which we find the first traces in (Luke 8:3) brought that temptation with it. As soon as the twelve were recognized as a body, travelling hither and thither with their Master, receiving money and other offerings, and redistributing what they received to the poor, it became necessary that someone should act as the steward and almoner of the small society, and this fell to Judas, John 12:6; 13:29. The Galilean or Judean peasant found himself entrusted with larger sums of money than before, and with this there came covetousness, unfaithfulness, embezzlement. Several times he showed his tendency to avarice and selfishness. This, even under the best of influences, grew worse and worse, till he betrayed his Master for thirty pieces of silver.
3. Why Judas Iscariot Was Chosen Among The Twelve?
a. There was needed among the disciples, as in the Church now, a man of just such talents as Judas possessed, the talent for managing business affairs.
b. Though he probably followed Christ at first from mixed motives, as did the other disciples, he had the opportunity of becoming a good and useful man.
c. It doubtless was included in Gods plans that there should be thus a standing argument for the truth and honesty of the gospel; for if any wrong or trickery had been concealed, it would have been revealed by the traitor in self-defence.
d. Perhaps to teach the Church that God can bless the gospel and can succeed even though some bad men may creep into the fold.
Prayer Points:-
1. I command all the spirits of Judas Iscariot in my life, jump out by fire, in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. As I have started well o Lord, let me finish well, in the name of Jesus Christ.
3. O Lord God, do not allow me to misuse my present position, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Happy Lord’s Day!
