The real Judas:
Judas, the traitor recorded in the Bible:
The history of Judah's life shows a tragic ending that could have been praised by God. If Judas died before his last visit to Jerusalem, future generations will think that he is worthy of being one of the twelve apostles and will be remembered by future generations. If he hadn't shown his true colors at the end of his life, he wouldn't have left a stigma. Now, his character is exposed to the world for his own purpose, that is, to serve as a warning to all those who betray the sacred trust like him.
Shortly before Passover, Judas renewed a contract with the priests to hand Jesus over to them, intending to capture him in the place where the Savior often meditated and prayed. Since Judas went to Simon's house for dinner, he had a chance to reflect on his plan and what he was going to do, but he didn't change his plan. He betrayed the glorious Lord, humiliated him and killed him for thirty dollars for a slave.
Judas was greedy by nature, but he was not so bad from the beginning. Just because he indulged in greedy evil desires, until this evil desire dominated the motivation of his life. He loves money more than Christ. As an evil slave, he gave himself to Satan and let him drive him to do all evil things.
Judas became one of Jesus' disciples when many people followed Christ. What the Savior said in the synagogue, the seaside and the hillside fascinated the audience, and his lessons touched the hearts of his disciples. Judas saw the sick, the lame and the blind in every town and village coming to Jesus in droves. He also saw the dying man at his feet. He saw with his own eyes the power of the Savior, who could heal the sick, drive away evil spirits and bring the dead back to life. He personally felt the evidence of the power of Christ. He has seen the teachings of Christ better than what he has heard before. He loves this great teacher and longs to be with him. He felt it necessary to change his character and life, and hoped to experience this change by uniting with Jesus. The savior did not reject Judas, let him take a place among the twelve apostles, use him to preach, and give him the right to cure diseases and exorcise evil spirits. But Judas did not completely devote himself to Christ, nor did he give up his worldly ambitions and greedy desires. Although he accepted the position of deacon of Christ, he did not cultivate himself with the Holy Spirit. He thinks that if he can keep his own judgment and opinions, he will develop a good critical and difficult temper.
Judas was greatly respected by his disciples, so he had a great influence on them. Judas was conceited and thought that his brothers were far behind him in judgment and ability. He thinks that they have neither clearly seen their opportunities nor taken advantage of their situation. If the church takes these shallow people as its leaders, it will never prosper. Peter has neither patience nor brains. John always cherishes the truth told by Christ. In Judas' view, he is a bad money manager. Matthew is well-trained and meticulous, but he is too honest. He often meditates on the words of Christ and concentrates on them, so Judas thinks he can't do anything smart and far-sighted. In this way, Judas made a general evaluation of several disciples to boast that without his directorship, the church would always be in trouble. Judas's shrewdness and ability are unparalleled. He thinks he is the wealth of the church and often shows off his talents to others in this way.
Judas couldn't see his weaknesses in character, so Christ put him in a position where he had a chance to see and correct them. Since he is in charge of money for his disciples, he must raise money to meet the needs of this small group of people and give it to the poor. When Jesus said to him on the Passover upstairs, "Do it quickly" (about 13:27), his disciples mainly told him to buy something for Passover or give something to the poor. Judas could have cultivated the spirit of selfless service to others. As a result, although he listened to the teachings of Christ and watched his selfless life every day, he still indulged his greed. The little money he handled was a constant test for him. When he does some work for Christ or spends some time in religious service, he often takes some money as his reward. In his own opinion, this excuse can certainly forgive his behavior. But in the eyes of God, he is a thief.
Christ repeatedly pointed out that his kingdom did not belong to this world, which made Judas very unhappy. He once drew a route, hoping that Christ would go. He argued that John the Baptist must be rescued from prison. But John was imprisoned until he was beheaded. Jesus did not show his kingship to avenge John, but retired to the countryside with his disciples. Judas advocated more active fighting. He thought that if Jesus didn't stop his disciples from carrying out their plans, his work would be more successful. He noticed the growing hatred for Jewish leaders and saw that Jews wanted Christ to show a miracle from heaven, but Christ ignored their challenge. So he began to disbelieve, and Satan made him doubt and rebel. Why did Jesus say so many depressing things? Why did he predict that he and his disciples would be tried and persecuted? Judas supported the cause of Christ in order to seek a high position in the new country. Will all his hopes be dashed? At this time, Judas had not decided that Jesus was not the son of God, but he began to doubt and tried to find a reason to explain the power of God.
Although the savior himself has made it clear that his kingdom does not belong to this world, Judas has always claimed that Christ must be king in Jerusalem. When Christ fed five thousand people, he wanted it to happen. At that time, he helped distribute food to hungry people. He has the opportunity to see how he should benefit others and feel the joy of serving God. He helped lead the sick and suffering people to Christ in the crowd. He saw how much comfort and joy the world felt because of the great doctor's healing ability. He should have learned the methods of Christ, but he was blinded by his own selfish desires. He was the first to realize his ideal with the enthusiasm aroused by the miracle of sharing bread. It was he who initiated the attempt to force Christ to be king. His hope is the greatest, so his disappointment is the greatest.
Christ's speech on the bread of life in Capernaum church was a turning point in the history of Judas. He heard Christ say, "If you don't eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, there is no life in you." (John 6:53) He saw that Christ provided spiritual interests, not worldly interests. He thought he was far-sighted, and had seen that Jesus would not be king, so he could not give his disciples any lofty status. Therefore, Judas decided to keep an inseparable relationship with Christ in order to quit at any time. He wants to wait and see for a while, and he is watching very warily.
After that, Judas spread all kinds of questions and confused the disciples' thoughts. He put forward some controversial and confusing opinions and often reiterated the ideas and arguments used by scribes and Pharisees on Christ. All difficulties, tortures, hardships and things that seem to hinder the gospel, no matter how big or small, are used by Judas as evidence to misinterpret or attack the truth of the gospel. He often quotes some scriptures that have nothing to do with the truth taught by Christ. These poems taken out of context make other disciples' thoughts more confused and deepen their frustration. But the way Judas did these things still made people feel that he was sincerely seeking truth! Judas almost unconsciously took his disciples off the right track when he checked the evidence to confirm the words of the great teacher Christ. In this way, in a very pious and obviously clever way, he put forward opinions completely different from those of Jesus on some issues, and attached what Jesus did not publish to his words. Judas' advice often aroused the ambition of pursuing secular honor, which made disciples not think about the important things they should consider. Among them, who is the biggest argument is mostly provoked by Judas.
When Jesus offered the rich young official the conditions of being a disciple, Judas was greatly displeased and thought that Jesus was wrong. If there are believers like this official, they will certainly help maintain the work of Christ. Judas thought that if he accepted his suggestion, he could provide many plans beneficial to this small church. Of course, his thoughts and means are different from those of Christ, but he thinks he is better than Christ.
Of all the things Christ said to his disciples, there were always a few words that Judas did not fully agree with. So under his influence, rebellious yeast was quickly introduced. Other disciples could not understand the mastermind behind these things, but Jesus had seen that Satan was passing on his own character to Judas, thus opening a way to influence other disciples. On this point, Christ explained it one year before he was sold. He said, "Didn't I choose your twelve disciples? But one of you is the devil. " (about 6: 70)
But Judas did not openly oppose the Savior and never seemed to doubt his teachings. Judas never complained publicly until he sat down at Simon's house. It was not until Mary anointed the Savior's feet with ointment that Judas revealed his greedy nature. He couldn't help hating Jesus' rebuke. Damaged self-esteem and evil thoughts of revenge have broken through all obstacles. If they don't resist and overcome the factors that corrupt virtue, they will follow Satan's temptation and bend their hearts to Satan's will.
But at this time, Judah's heart has not completely hardened. Even after he promised to betray the savior twice, he still had a chance to repent. At the Passover dinner, Jesus exposed the traitor's attempt and showed his divinity. When he washed his disciples' feet, he also gently washed Judah's feet. Unfortunately, Judas ignored the last influence of Christ, and his fate was determined. After Jesus washed his feet, he went out to sell things.
Judas reasoned that if Jesus really wanted to be crucified, it would always be done. His own betrayal of the savior will not change the result. If Jesus doesn't deserve to die, betraying him is just forcing him to save himself. In any case, Judas always benefited from his rebellion. He thinks betraying his master is a good deal.
However, Judas never believed that Christ would let anyone catch him. He betrayed Christ and taught him a lesson. He intends to play a role and let the savior give him due respect in the future. But Judas didn't know that he did it to kill Christ. In the past, when the Savior used metaphors to teach people, how many times the scribes and Pharisees were fascinated by his touching remarks! How many times have they inadvertently convicted themselves! But every time they knew the truth, their chests were filled with anger and they tried to stone Jesus, but every time he dodged. Judas thought that since Christ had escaped so many traps, he would not be arrested now.
Judas decided to have a try. If Jesus is really the Messiah, then people who get so much help from him will gather around him and support him to be king. This will break the mystery in many people's hearts. At that time, Judah will be able to enjoy the feat of establishing a king on the throne of David, thus achieving the highest position in the new country after Christ.
Thus, this hypocritical disciple played a predetermined role in the process of betraying Jesus. When he said to the mob leader in Gethsemane Garden, "Whoever I kiss is him. You can take him "(Matt. 26:48), he fully believed that Christ would escape from them. If the Jews had blamed him, he would have said, didn't I tell you to arrest him?
Later, Judas saw that the captors tied Christ tightly according to his words. He looked at the Savior in surprise and let him be taken away. He followed anxiously from the garden to the place where he was tried before the Jewish governor. Every time Jesus moves, he hopes to show that he is the son of God, frighten the enemy and disillusion all their plots and forces. But as time goes by, Jesus is still willing to endure all the insults piled up on him. At this time, Judas, the seller, was very afraid and knew that he had sold his master to death.
When the verdict was about to be announced, Judas could no longer bear the pain of conscience. Suddenly there was a hoarse cry in the court, which made the audience only hear Caiaphas! He is innocent, please release him!
At this time, the tall Judas squeezed out from the shocked crowd. His face was blue and haggard, and sweat was dripping from his forehead. He rushed to the judgment seat, threw the seller's money before the high priest, eagerly grabbed Caiaphas' robe and begged him to release Jesus, saying that he had done nothing worthy of death. Caiaphas pushed Judah away angrily, but he was in a dilemma and didn't know what to say. The meanness of the priests was completely exposed at this moment. Everyone saw that they bribed this disciple to betray Master.
Judas said with a loud voice, "I have sold innocent blood and am guilty." But the frightened high priest replied contemptuously, "What does this have to do with us?" ? Take it yourself! "(Matt. Although the priests were willing to use Judas as their tool, they despised his despicable personality. When Judas confessed his sin to them, he drove him away.
So Judas fell at Jesus' feet, confessed that he was the son of God, and begged him to save himself. The savior did not condemn those who betrayed him. He knew that Judas didn't really repent, and his repentance was only forced by the criminals' fear of psychological condemnation and the superficial feeling of seeing the future trial. He didn't feel deeply heartbroken because he betrayed God's perfect son and rejected the Holy One of Israel. However, Jesus didn't say a word condemning him. Just looked at Judah piteously and said, I came to this world for this time.
All the people were surprised to see how Christ forgave those who betrayed him. They realized that this was no ordinary person. However, if he is the son of God, why doesn't he save himself from the shackles and defeat those who accuse him?
Judas knew that his plea was useless. He rushed out of the court and shouted, "It's too late! It's too late! " He couldn't bear to live to see Jesus crucified, so he hanged himself in the suburbs of Jerusalem in despair.
Later, Judas, a traitor, fell from a big tree, his stomach burst and his intestines flowed out because of decay. The Jewish high priest sold the money of Jesus Christ with Judas the traitor, bought the land and buried Judas the traitor. This land was called "blood field", and it was later used as a graveyard for foreigners who died in Jerusalem.
Therefore, Judas the traitor had no time to write the gospel of Judas. What's more, the Bible New Testament was completed at the latest at the end of 1 century, and the earliest manuscript was at the beginning of the 2nd century. The earliest extant Gospel of Judas is more than a century later than the Bible and the New Testament. It is said that the earliest writing was written in the late 2nd century AD, which has nothing to do with Judas the traitor, and can only be forged by later generations. Archaeologists suspect that the Gospel of Judas was fabricated by Gnostic and distorted the history of Judas, a traitor. This speculation is reasonable.