More thoughts on the "Judas" book

With all this debate this week about the "gospel of Judas", it was interesting that a gentleman referred to a portion of Scripture during our "Breaking of Bread" meeting that mentioned the betrayal of Judas.

Here's the passage, from the words of the Apostle Paul in regards to the act of Judas, recorded within 20 years (?) of the event... "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes." 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

The Apostle was clearly stating that the act of Judas was one of betrayal.

Of course, some may discount Paul's writings... so let's go to a portion of Scripture written appx. 1000 years PRIOR to the events... Psalm 41:9 "Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me."

Many look at this as a prophecy of Judas' evil actions, and the book of Matthew supports that interpretation. Though the account of the book of Matthew is disputed by this book of "Judas", it is posted here for your examination: "Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." And they said, "What is that to us? You see to it!" Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, "It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood." And they consulted together and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, and gave them for the potter's field, as the LORD directed me."" (Matthew 27:3-10)

That passage referred to a portion of Jeremiah, but I can't find that at the moment, so here's another parallel passage from Zacheriah..."Then I said to them, "If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain." So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter" - that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for the potter." (Zechariah 11:12-13)

That passage was written about 500 years PRIOR to the events recorded in the Gospels. And the events written prior also indicate that it was an act of betrayal, not of mutual co-operation. The Jews were meticulous in their record keeping, and the ancient Biblical texts for the Old Testament are VERY close, if not exact, to what we have today in our Bibles. (I got a chance to see a portion of the Dead Sea Scrolls in Montreal a while back... very cool indeed) Thus, we can count on these prophecies as being an accurate account of what was yet to come... the betrayal of the Lord Jesus Christ by Judas, for 30 pieces of silver, which was then thrown back into the Temple, which was then used to buy a potter's field... according the Matthew.

Of course, the Lord Jesus Christ was perfectly aware of what was going on the whole time... as He said to Judas, "What you do, do quickly." (John 13:27)

"Now as they were eating, He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?" He answered and said, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born." Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, "Rabbi, is it I?" He said to him, "You have said it."" (Matthew 26:21-25)

Did this mean that Christ was a co-conspirator? Only to the extent that He knew what must occur to obtain the redemption of the souls of mankind.

And boy am I ever glad that He paid that price by shedding His blood on the cross of Calvary.

So with Easter coming up, I ask you... have YOU been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb?