Everything You Wanted To Know About Judas Iscariot
(Drawn from online sources)
• Judas Iscariot was known to be a skilled administrator and was trusted with managing the finances of Jesus and his disciples.
• Judas was fluent in multiple languages, making him an effective communicator among diverse groups of people during his time.
• Despite his actions leading to Jesus' arrest, Judas showed remorse and returned the payment he received for betraying Jesus.
• Judas Iscariot's name is believed to have origins in the Hebrew word "Ish Kerioth," meaning "man from Kerioth," which was a town in Judea.
• In 1983 “The Gospel of Judas” was discovered. It was believed to have been from the third century (280 AD), written by a group called Gnostics, who had a different theology than a majority of Christians in that time. Wikipedia summarizes it this way: “Unlike Judas in the canonical gospels, who is portrayed as a villain, and excoriated by Jesus ("Alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born," Matthew 26:24), the Judas gospel portrays Judas as a divinely appointed instrument of a grand and predetermined purpose.”
• Needless to say, Judas' role in the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion has sparked centuries of debate and analysis, highlighting the complex nature of his character and motivations.
Archived Posts
Everything You Wanted To Know About Judas Iscariot
(Drawn from online sources)
Jesus Hears A Who
Few people know that Horton Hears A Who comes from the 25th Chapter of Matthew.
Matthew 24: One More Thing...
I sometimes stumble on old documents I’ve created but have completely forgotten about. I cannot remember why I created them or what purpose they were originally supposed to serve....
Keeping the Church Doors Unencumbered
Sunday, we considered Jesus’ disruptive actions in the Temple in light of his frustration with keeping gentiles from worshipping in their designated courtyard. We then reflected on how we still tend to throw up roadblocks to those who don’t normally attend church. I found the following, but didn’t have space for it in the sermon. It’s provocative and worth chewing on for a while.
What Was the Crowd Celebrating on Palm Sunday?
I came across this list which feels a little like a "Greatest Hits of Jesus' Ministry". I share it with you today for your inspiration and edification. Enjoy!
The Best Kind of Trouble-maker
While working on this last week’s sermon I was looking through Phillip Yancey’s excellent book—The Jesus I Never Knew—when I came across a section that I found profound. It didn’t quite fit my sermon, but it caught my eye enough that I copied it down.
Practical Tips To Avoid Judging Others
When I research a sermon, such as Sunday’s message on judgmentalism, I always try to think through some practical steps or tips in how to implement God’s desire for our lives. I rustled together a herd of ideas this week and I offer them to you.