" DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN AGENDA "

Good Morning,

I have a quick question for you: does this year seem to be flying by at break neck speed? Are you accomplishing all that you've set out to do this year? If not you might want to check your agenda listing? This week we are discussing Judas Iscariot and his seemingly unchangeable agenda.

It appears that Judas Iscariot truly had a program that he would carry out know matter what. I believe that Judas was not a man who flip flopped his way through life. Now there is meaning behind everyone's name. There are a small number of possibilities for the definition of this name, including "The False One," "The Slayer," or "The Dyer" (an Occupation). The most presumable meaning is "Man of Kerioth," referring to a village in Judea located 12 miles south of Hebron. The name distinguishes Judas, The Betrayer of Christ, from the other apostle named Judas "The Son of James".

Satan's part in the betrayal of Jesus does not remove any of the responsibility from Judas. Disillusioned because Jesus was talking about dying rather than setting up his kingdom, Judas may have been trying to force Jesus' hand and make Him use his power to prove that He was the Messiah. It's obvious that Judas did not understand Jesus' mission and no longer believed Jesus was God's chosen One. Whatever Judas thought, Satan assumed that Jesus' death would end His mission and foil God's plan. Like Judas, Satan did not know that Jesus' death was the most important part of God's plan all along. Judas' greedy desire for money and status could not be realized if he followed Jesus, so he betrayed Jesus in exchange for money and favor from the religious leaders.

Judas often dipped into the disciples' money bag for his own use. Now, I'm quite sure Jesus knew what Judas was doing but never did nor said anything about it. Similarly, when we choose the way of sin, God may not immediately do anything to stop us, but this does not mean He approves of our actions. What we deserve will come.

Judas had the ability like most to conceal his emotions. Judas had already determined to betray Jesus, but his hypocrisy did not prevent him from attending the Last Supper. I have to marvel as to why Judas didn't get up and leave the table when Jesus started to speak. As they were reclining at the table and eating. Jesus said, " Truly I say to you that one of you will betray me - one who is eating with me." I most likely would have froze, I mean I wouldn't have moved. Especially when he alluded that it will be the one who dips with me in the bowl. I would have attempted to time my dipping, you know, I wouldn't dip until right after Jesus. Let's be real we can't pull the wool over God's eye's. Listen if you already have an agenda don't be so rigid as to not be flexible to change.

Until Next Time...
Jim