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'''Judas Iscariot''', the twelfth [[apostle]], was [[chosen]] by [[Nathaniel]]. He was born in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerioth Kerioth], a small town in southern [[Judea]]. When he was a lad, his [[parents]] moved to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jericho Jericho], where he lived and had been employed in his [[father]]'s various [[business]] enterprises until he became interested in the [[preaching]] and [[work]] of [[John the Baptist]]. Judas' [[parents]] were [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadducees Sadducees], and when their son joined [[John the Baptist|John]]'s [[disciples]], they disowned him.

'''Judas Iscariot''', the twelfth [[apostle]], was [[chosen]] by [[Nathaniel]]. He was born in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerioth Kerioth], a small town in southern [[Judea]]. When he was a lad, his [[parents]] moved to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jericho Jericho], where he lived and had been employed in his [[father]]'s various [[business]] enterprises until he became interested in the [[preaching]] and [[work]] of [[John the Baptist]]. Judas' [[parents]] were [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadducees Sadducees], and when their son joined [[John the Baptist|John]]'s [[disciples]], they disowned him.

When [[Nathaniel]] met [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas] at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarichea Tarichea], he was seeking employment with a fish-drying [[enterprise]] at the lower end of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_of_Galilee Sea of Galilee]. He was thirty years of age and unmarried when he joined the [[apostles]]. He was probably the best-[[educated]] man among the twelve and the only [[Judean]] in [[the Master]]'s apostolic [[family]]. Judas had no outstanding trait of [[personal]] [[strength]], though he had many outwardly appearing traits of [[culture]] and [[habits]] of [[training]]. He was a good [[thinker]] but not always a truly [[honest]] thinker. Judas did not really [[understand]] himself; he was not really [[sincere]] in dealing with himself.

When [[Nathaniel]] met [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas] at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarichea Tarichea], he was seeking employment with a fish-drying [[enterprise]] at the lower end of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_of_Galilee Sea of Galilee]. He was thirty years of age and unmarried when he joined the [[apostles]]. He was probably the best-[[educated]] man among the twelve and the only [[Judean]] in [[the Master]]'s apostolic [[family]]. Judas had no outstanding trait of [[personal]] [[strength]], though he had many outwardly appearing traits of [[culture]] and [[habits]] of [[training]]. He was a good [[thinker]] but not always a truly [[honest]] thinker. Judas did not really [[understand]] himself; he was not really [[sincere]] in dealing with himself.

[[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]] appointed Judas treasurer of the twelve, a position which he was eminently fitted to hold, and up to the time of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_183 betrayal of his Master] he discharged the [[responsibilities]] of his office [[honestly]], [[faithfully]], and most [[efficiently]].

[[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]] appointed Judas treasurer of the twelve, a position which he was eminently fitted to hold, and up to the time of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_183 betrayal of his Master] he discharged the [[responsibilities]] of his office [[honestly]], [[faithfully]], and most [[efficiently]].

<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Judas''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Judas '''''this link'''''].</center>

<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Judas''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Judas '''''this link'''''].</center>

There was no special trait about [[Jesus]] which [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas] admired above the generally [[attractive]] and exquisitely [[charming]] [[personality]] of [[the Master]]. Judas was never able to rise above his [[Judean]] [[prejudices]] against his [[Galilean]] associates; he would even [[criticize]] in his [[mind]] many things about [[Jesus]]. Him whom eleven of the [[apostles]] looked upon as the perfect man, as the " one altogether lovely and the chiefest among ten thousand, "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Song_of_Solomon#Canticle_5] this [[self]]-[[satisfied]] [[Judean]] often [[dared]] to [[criticize]] in his own [[heart]]. He really entertained the notion that [[Jesus]] was timid and somewhat afraid to assert his own [[power]] and [[authority]].

There was no special trait about [[Jesus]] which [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas] admired above the generally [[attractive]] and exquisitely [[charming]] [[personality]] of [[the Master]]. Judas was never able to rise above his [[Judean]] [[prejudices]] against his [[Galilean]] associates; he would even [[criticize]] in his [[mind]] many things about [[Jesus]]. Him whom eleven of the [[apostles]] looked upon as the perfect man, as the " one altogether lovely and the chiefest among ten thousand, "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Song_of_Solomon#Canticle_5] this [[self]]-[[satisfied]] [[Judean]] often [[dared]] to [[criticize]] in his own [[heart]]. He really entertained the notion that [[Jesus]] was timid and somewhat afraid to assert his own [[power]] and [[authority]].

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas] was a good [[business]] man. It required [[tact]], [[ability]], and [[patience]], as well as painstaking [[devotion]], to manage the [[financial]] affairs of such an [[idealist]] as [[Jesus]], to say nothing of wrestling with the helter-skelter business [[methods]] of some of his [[apostles]]. Judas really was a great [[executive]], a farseeing and able financier. And he was a stickler for [[organization]]. None of the twelve ever [[criticized]] Judas. As far as they could see, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas Iscariot] was a matchless treasurer, a [[learned]] man, a [[loyal]] (though sometimes [[critical]]) [[apostle]], and in every sense of the [[word]] a great success. The [[apostles]] [[loved]] Judas; he was really one of them. He must have believed in [[Jesus]], but we [[doubt]] whether he really [[loved]] [[the Master]] with a whole [[heart]]. The case of Judas [[illustrates]] the truthfulness of that saying: " There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is death. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Proverbs#Proverb_.14] It is altogether possible to fall [[victim]] to the peaceful [[deception]] of pleasant [[adjustment]] to the paths of [[sin]] and [[death]]. Be [[assured]] that Judas was always [[financially]] [[loyal]] to his Master and his fellow [[apostles]]. [[Money]] could never have been the [[motive]] for his [[betrayal]] of [[the Master]].

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas] was a good [[business]] man. It required [[tact]], [[ability]], and [[patience]], as well as painstaking [[devotion]], to manage the [[financial]] affairs of such an [[idealist]] as [[Jesus]], to say nothing of wrestling with the helter-skelter business [[methods]] of some of his [[apostles]]. Judas really was a great [[executive]], a farseeing and able financier. And he was a stickler for [[organization]]. None of the twelve ever [[criticized]] Judas. As far as they could see, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas Iscariot] was a matchless treasurer, a [[learned]] man, a [[loyal]] (though sometimes [[critical]]) [[apostle]], and in every sense of the [[word]] a great success. The [[apostles]] [[loved]] Judas; he was really one of them. He must have believed in [[Jesus]], but we [[doubt]] whether he really [[loved]] [[the Master]] with a whole [[heart]]. The case of Judas [[illustrates]] the truthfulness of that saying: " There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is death. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Proverbs#Proverb_.14] It is altogether possible to fall [[victim]] to the peaceful [[deception]] of pleasant [[adjustment]] to the paths of [[sin]] and [[death]]. Be [[assured]] that Judas was always [[financially]] [[loyal]] to his Master and his fellow [[apostles]]. [[Money]] could never have been the [[motive]] for his [[betrayal]] of [[the Master]].

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas] was an only son of unwise [[parents]]. When very young, he was pampered and petted; he was a spoiled child. As he grew up, he had exaggerated [[ideas]] about his [[self]]-importance. He was a poor loser. He had loose and distorted [[ideas]] about [[fairness]]; he was given to the indulgence of [[hate]] and [[suspicion]]. He was an expert at misinterpretation of the [[words]] and [[acts]] of his [[friends]]. All through his life [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas] had cultivated the [[habit]] of getting even with those whom he fancied had mistreated him. His sense of [[values]] and [[loyalties]] was defective.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas] was an only son of unwise [[parents]]. When very young, he was pampered and petted; he was a spoiled child. As he grew up, he had exaggerated [[ideas]] about his [[self]]-importance. He was a poor loser. He had loose and distorted [[ideas]] about [[fairness]]; he was given to the indulgence of [[hate]] and [[suspicion]]. He was an expert at misinterpretation of the [[words]] and [[acts]] of his [[friends]]. All through his life [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas] had cultivated the [[habit]] of getting even with those whom he fancied had mistreated him. His sense of [[values]] and [[loyalties]] was defective.

To [[Jesus]], Judas was a [[faith]] [[adventure]]. From the beginning [[the Master]] fully [[understood]] the weakness of this [[apostle]] and well knew the [[dangers]] of admitting him to fellowship. But it is the [[nature]] of the [[Sons of God]] to give every created being a full and [[equal]] [[chance]] for [[salvation]] and [[survival]]. [[Jesus]] wanted not only the [[mortals]] of this world but the onlookers of [[Paper 49 - The Inhabited Worlds|innumerable other worlds]] to know that, when [[doubts]] exist as to the [[sincerity]] and wholeheartedness of a [[creature]]'s [[devotion]] to [[the kingdom]], it is the invariable [[practice]] of the Judges of men fully to [[receive]] the doubtful [[candidate]]. The door of [[eternal]] life is wide open to all; " whosoever will may come "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Mark#Chapter_3]; there are no restrictions or qualifications save the [[faith]] of the one who comes.

To [[Jesus]], Judas was a [[faith]] [[adventure]]. From the beginning [[the Master]] fully [[understood]] the weakness of this [[apostle]] and well knew the [[dangers]] of admitting him to fellowship. But it is the [[nature]] of the [[Sons of God]] to give every created being a full and [[equal]] [[chance]] for [[salvation]] and [[survival]]. [[Jesus]] wanted not only the [[mortals]] of this world but the onlookers of [[Paper 49 - The Inhabited Worlds|innumerable other worlds]] to know that, when [[doubts]] exist as to the [[sincerity]] and wholeheartedness of a [[creature]]'s [[devotion]] to [[the kingdom]], it is the invariable [[practice]] of the Judges of men fully to [[receive]] the doubtful [[candidate]]. The door of [[eternal]] life is wide open to all; " whosoever will may come "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Mark#Chapter_3]; there are no restrictions or qualifications save the [[faith]] of the one who comes.

This is just the [[reason]] why [[Jesus]] permitted [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas] to go on to the very end, always doing everything possible to [[transform]] and save this weak and [[confused]] [[apostle]]. But when [[light]] is not [[honestly]] [[received]] and lived up to, it tends to become [[darkness]] within the [[soul]]. Judas grew [[intellectually]] regarding Jesus' teachings about [[the kingdom]], but he did not make [[progress]] in the acquirement of [[spiritual]] [[character]] as did the other [[apostles]]. He failed to make [[satisfactory]] [[personal]] [[progress]] in [[spiritual]] [[experience]].

This is just the [[reason]] why [[Jesus]] permitted [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas] to go on to the very end, always doing everything possible to [[transform]] and save this weak and [[confused]] [[apostle]]. But when [[light]] is not [[honestly]] [[received]] and lived up to, it tends to become [[darkness]] within the [[soul]]. Judas grew [[intellectually]] regarding Jesus' teachings about [[the kingdom]], but he did not make [[progress]] in the acquirement of [[spiritual]] [[character]] as did the other [[apostles]]. He failed to make [[satisfactory]] [[personal]] [[progress]] in [[spiritual]] [[experience]].

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas] became increasingly a brooder over [[personal]] [[disappointment]], and finally he became a [[victim]] of resentment. His [[feelings]] had been many times hurt, and he grew abnormally [[suspicious]] of his best [[friends]], even of [[the Master]]. Presently he became [[obsessed]] with the [[idea]] of getting even, anything to avenge himself, yes, even [[betrayal]] of his associates and his Master.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas] became increasingly a brooder over [[personal]] [[disappointment]], and finally he became a [[victim]] of resentment. His [[feelings]] had been many times hurt, and he grew abnormally [[suspicious]] of his best [[friends]], even of [[the Master]]. Presently he became [[obsessed]] with the [[idea]] of getting even, anything to avenge himself, yes, even [[betrayal]] of his associates and his Master.

But these [[wicked]] and [[dangerous]] [[ideas]] did not take definite shape until the day when a [[grateful]] woman broke an expensive box of [[incense]] at [[Jesus]]' feet. This seemed wasteful to Judas, and when his [[public]] [[protest]] was so sweepingly disallowed by Jesus right there in the hearing of all, it was too much. That [[event]] determined the mobilization of all the accumulated [[hate]], hurt, malice, [[prejudice]], [[jealousy]], and revenge of a lifetime, and he made up his [[mind]] to get even with he knew not whom; but he crystallized all the [[evil]] of his [[nature]] upon the one [[innocent]] [[person]] in all the sordid [[drama]] of his unfortunate life just because [[Jesus]] happened to be the chief [[actor]] in the episode which marked his passing from the [[progressive]] kingdom of [[light]] into that [[self]]-chosen [[domain]] of [[darkness]].

But these [[wicked]] and [[dangerous]] [[ideas]] did not take definite shape until the day when a [[grateful]] woman broke an expensive box of [[incense]] at [[Jesus]]' feet. This seemed wasteful to Judas, and when his [[public]] [[protest]] was so sweepingly disallowed by Jesus right there in the hearing of all, it was too much. That [[event]] determined the mobilization of all the accumulated [[hate]], hurt, malice, [[prejudice]], [[jealousy]], and revenge of a lifetime, and he made up his [[mind]] to get even with he knew not whom; but he crystallized all the [[evil]] of his [[nature]] upon the one [[innocent]] [[person]] in all the sordid [[drama]] of his unfortunate life just because [[Jesus]] happened to be the chief [[actor]] in the episode which marked his passing from the [[progressive]] kingdom of [[light]] into that [[self]]-chosen [[domain]] of [[darkness]].

[[The Master]] many times, both [[private]]ly and [[public]]ly, had [[warned]] Judas that he was slipping, but [[divine]] [[warnings]] are usually useless in dealing with embittered [[human]] [[nature]]. Jesus did everything possible, [[consistent]] with man's [[moral]] [[freedom]], to prevent Judas's [[choosing]] to go the wrong way. The great test finally came. The son of resentment failed; he yielded to the sour and sordid dictates of a [[proud]] and vengeful [[mind]] of exaggerated self-importance and swiftly plunged on down into [[confusion]], [[despair]], and depravity.

[[The Master]] many times, both [[private]]ly and [[public]]ly, had [[warned]] Judas that he was slipping, but [[divine]] [[warnings]] are usually useless in dealing with embittered [[human]] [[nature]]. Jesus did everything possible, [[consistent]] with man's [[moral]] [[freedom]], to prevent Judas's [[choosing]] to go the wrong way. The great test finally came. The son of resentment failed; he yielded to the sour and sordid dictates of a [[proud]] and vengeful [[mind]] of exaggerated self-importance and swiftly plunged on down into [[confusion]], [[despair]], and depravity.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas] then entered into the base and [[shame]]ful [[intrigue]] to [[betray]] his Lord and Master and quickly carried the [[nefarious]] scheme into [[effect]]. During the outworking of his [[anger]]-conceived [[plans]] of traitorous [[betrayal]], he [[experienced]] moments of [[regret]] and [[shame]], and in these [[lucid]] intervals he faint-heartedly [[conceived]], as a [[defense]] in his own [[mind]], the [[idea]] that [[Jesus]] might possibly exert his [[power]] and deliver himself at the last moment.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Judas] then entered into the base and [[shame]]ful [[intrigue]] to [[betray]] his Lord and Master and quickly carried the [[nefarious]] scheme into [[effect]]. During the outworking of his [[anger]]-conceived [[plans]] of traitorous [[betrayal]], he [[experienced]] moments of [[regret]] and [[shame]], and in these [[lucid]] intervals he faint-heartedly [[conceived]], as a [[defense]] in his own [[mind]], the [[idea]] that [[Jesus]] might possibly exert his [[power]] and deliver himself at the last moment.

When the sordid and sinful business was all over, this renegade [[mortal]], who thought lightly of selling his [[friend]] for thirty pieces of silver to [[satisfy]] his long-nursed craving for [[revenge]], rushed out and committed the final [[act]] in the [[drama]] of fleeing from the [[realities]] of [[mortal]] [[existence]]—[[suicide]].

When the sordid and sinful business was all over, this renegade [[mortal]], who thought lightly of selling his [[friend]] for thirty pieces of silver to [[satisfy]] his long-nursed craving for [[revenge]], rushed out and committed the final [[act]] in the [[drama]] of fleeing from the [[realities]] of [[mortal]] [[existence]]—[[suicide]].

*'''''[[186:1 The End of Judas Iscariot|The End of Judas Iscariot]]'''''

*'''''[[186:1 The End of Judas Iscariot|The End of Judas Iscariot]]'''''

*'''''[[193:4 Causes of Judas' Downfall|Causes of Judas' Downfall]]'''''

*'''''[[193:4 Causes of Judas' Downfall|Causes of Judas' Downfall]]'''''

*'''''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Wikipedia article on Judas Iscariot]'''''

*'''''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Iscariot Wikipedia article on Judas Iscariot]'''''

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]