Big Brother is Watching You

The book 1984 by George Orwell gave a very bleak look at a possible future. It pictures a world which is stuck in a perpetual war. In what used to be the United Kingdom the government is involved in an omnipresent surveillance program. The government drives the point home with a slogan which may seem familiar. Underneath the picture of a mustachioed man was the phrase “Big Brother is watching you.” It was a reminder that no action, word, or thought went unacknowledged.

While we are not being watched by a megalomaniacal government bent on controlling its followers, we are being watched by a being greater than we. “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3). He does not do so to find us in a fault. He does not do so in the hopes of trying to hurt us. He does so because one day He will judge all mankind (Ecc. 12:14). He will judge us according to every action we have committed, even those things which were thought to have been done in secret. If one were to put that in perspective, would that change his actions? It certainly should. Those actions once thought to be done in privacy were committed before the All-Seeing God. Maybe it would be best for all to keep that in mind.

Remember, “The Father is watching you.”

Judas Iscariot (Part 4)

There Is A Sad End Where Forgiveness is Not Found

Judas has a change of heart after the betrayal (Matt. 27:1-4). It seems that Judas may not have been aware of the true intents of the chief priests. It is possible that he was simply a pawn in a game played by the priests. Regardless, Judas felt great regret for the actions which he committed. He felt such regret that he takes the money which was given to him and tries to give it back. “I have sinned because I have betrayed innocent blood.” Judas, having spent all this time with the Christ knew that Jesus was innocent of the punishment He was about to receive. The bitter indifference on the part of these chief priests is seen. They have already accomplished their goals and Judas is no longer of any use to them. “It is not our problem. It is yours.” They placed full responsibility on Judas.

Judas has helped give Christ the death sentence. Could a man like that be forgiven? It is easy for us to give a quick and resounding, “No.” Remember, he was not the only one who committed an error that day. There were others who were guilty of putting Jesus to death (Acts 2:36). Peter did not mince words on the day of Pentecost by telling these people, “You have murdered the Christ.” They were still offered an opportunity to be forgiven (Acts 2:38). One chapter later one read, “And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers” (Acts 3:17). What did they do through ignorance? They killed the Christ. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). They were still able to be forgiven.

What Judas outside the realm of forgiveness? NO! God would have been able to forgive Judas for the actions which he committed. God would have accepted him back if only Judas would have made things right. …if only… How wonderful would it be for us to read of Judas coming to God in humility, standing before the resurrected Christ, and being relieved that the blood of Christ had washed away those sins?

“And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself…and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.” (Matthew 27:5; Acts 1:18). He committed suicide. Luke tells us that Judas went to “his own place” after his death (Acts 1:25). That is a very tactful way of saying that Judas went to destruction. Godly sorrow should have led him to repentance but he did not seek such (2 Cor. 7:10).

Judas Iscariot (Part 3)

We Will Be Remembered By Our Actions

Notice how Judas is mentioned within the New Testament writings (Matt. 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:16; John 12:4-5). If you were to ask anyone what Judas Iscariot is known for the likely response would be, “He was the one who betrayed Jesus!” Take a look at any Biblical man or woman. They are remembered for the actions and words spoken. Adam and Eve are remembered because they were the first man and woman and their actions in the garden. Cain will forever be remembered as the first murderer. David, while being remembered as a man after God’s own heart, will also be remembered for his adultery with Bathsheeba. Noah will always be remembered for building the ark but also for his drunkenness after the flood. Judas will always be remembered as a traitor.

That is because he was a traitor. It is interesting that he went to the chief priests after Judas was rebuked by Christ. “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him” (Matthew 26:14-16). Interestingly enough, thirty pieces of silver was the price of a common slave (Exo. 21:32; Zech. 11:12-13). It would be worth somewhere around fifteen U.S. dollars. “Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him” (Matt. 26:46-50). The betrayal is now complete.

Jim Henson once said, “[Children] won’t remember what we said. They will remember who we were.” That statement is true with more than just children. How do you want to be remembered when this life is over?

Judas Iscariot (Part 2)

Our Actions Give Away Our Character

“Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein” (John 12:1-6; cf. Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9). This is not to be confused with Luke 7:36ff. The account of Luke’s is that of a woman of ill report while these other three are of a woman of high spiritual qualities. While these are similar they are quite different.

Six days before the Passover Jesus and His disciples are sitting at the house of Simon the Leper (Matt. 26:6; Mark 13:3). Martha comes to Jesus with this perfumed oil and anoints His feet with it, wiping His feet with her hair. Ither accounts point to the disciples murmuring against this woman’s gift (Matt. 26:8-9; Mark 14:4-5). John’s account gives us the instigator who planted this thought in the other apostle’s minds (John 12:4-5).

At first glance it may seem that that he is making a somewhat honorable statement. This could have been sold for 300 pence and given to those who are in need. Granted, Jesus mentioned that her doing this was good because it was done in preparation for His death. Still, it seems that Judas meant well in his statement and was thinking of those who were poor.

Inspiration tells of the true reason that he brought this us. “This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.” (John 12:6). Judas was not concerned with the poor. As the treasurer, he was the one who carried the money and divvied it out as was needed. John states that Judas also stole from the treasury. He was a “thief.” Why did he feel so strongly about what had been done? He wanted to have his hands on the money which it was all worth.  Keep in mind this was not known by the apostles at this moment but afterwards. Judas showed his true character in his complaint towards this woman’s actions.

Sometimes our statements can show our true selves. This author once heard of a preacher who constantly harped on certain subjects. He constantly preached on the subject of adultery, fornication, and things of that nature. It was later found out that he had an affair with another woman. Any Christian can be guilty of this. Be warned that if an individual is not living a godly life it will eventually be found out. It may not occur within a day, two days, or even years from that time. It will eventually be found out (Numbers 32:23; Josh. 7).

Judas Iscariot (Part 1)

Judas Iscariot: The Saddest of All the Apostles

In doing a character study it is great being able to pick out all the positive aspects of an individual’s life. One could find great enjoyment from studying the life of Daniel and all the good that one can learn from him. It seems there is nothing negative which is reported of him in the scriptures. The apostle Andrew is another individual who seems to have nothing said of them or said anything negative. There are some who give both positive and negative aspects. Peter was an individual who loved Christ but had a habit of saying the wrong thing. Despite his habit of sticking his foot in his mouth, Peter did something none of the other apostles did. He walked on water. Paul is an interesting study in that he spent part of his life trying to destroy the church. After his conversion to Christianity Paul lived such an exemplary life that the Holy Spirit deemed it one which others should emulate (1 Cor. 11:1). Sometimes there is an individual who we can study whose life has nothing positive. Take the books of Kings and Chronicles. One can read of the kings who lived during that time. Many of them were wicked kings who lived their lives outside of God’s will and the problems which occurred in their lives and the lives of the people. Judas is one of those individuals.

A Brief Introduction

The name Judas is the Greek form of the Hebrew word “Judah” which means “praised.” It was a common name which is frequently used in the Old and New Testament. It should be noted that there were two men of the apostles who were named Judas. We are not talking about the man who went by the surname “Thaddaeus” (Matt. 10:3). In order to distinguish the two men apart, the writers of the gospel accounts refer to the Judas of our study as “Judas Iscariot.” Iscariot means “man of Kerioth which was the hometown of Judas’ father Simon (Matt. 10:4; John 6:71). Kerioth was a city in Judah, while its location is unknown, was thought to be located in southern Judea (Josh 15:25). This separates him from the other apostles because they were all Galileans.

He was the treasurer to the apostles. It seems that his job was to dole out the money for those who were in need and keep up with how much money they possessed. Notice John 12:4-6 and 13:29. “For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.” (John 13:29). Notice how he is referred to as having possession of “the bag.” This would have been a reference to his treasurer’s bag. The disciples thought that since Jesus told Judas to do what he was going to do quickly, that it had something to do with the money Judas was carrying. Either he was going to use it for the poor or the Passover. Turns out he was a thief.

It is not recorded when he obeyed the call of Christ. We do know how Judas came to the end of his life. While the name Judas was a common name before the betrayal some have commented that the name became unpopular afterwards. It seems there is something in a name. It is for the same reason you never read of a female being named “Jezebel” in this day and age. Those things will be considered at the end of the study.

The Conclusion of the Resurrection Chapter

This Sunday we will come together to remember the Lord’s life, death, resurrection as well as what those three things means to each of us. While we celebrate the resurrection of the Savior every Lord's Day, this Sunday is one where many might be even more focused on it (1 Cor. 11:23-26). Paul has a lot to say about the subject in 1 Corinthians 15. Within what is sometimes referred to as “The Resurrection Chapter” one would find:

·         Paul speaking of the gospel, what it is, and proof of the Lord’s resurrection (v. 1-11).

·         Seven implications which would be true if there were no resurrection (v. 12-19).

·         The Results of Christ’s Resurrection (v. 20-28).

·         More evidence concerning the resurrection (v. 29-34).

·         The nature of the resurrected body (v. 25-49).

·         The great resurrection (v. 50-58).

Verse 58 is the conclusion to the entire chapter. It is here that Paul encourages the Christians at Corinth (and ultimately all Christians) to “…be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

They were to be “steadfast and unmoveable.” Both of these words give the idea of remaining grounded and firmly planted in position. It does not mean that one should not move forward as a Christian but if that not in the position to do so he is not to move backwards (Luke 9:62). They also give the idea of not giving up. This would have been a problem for those who said there was no resurrection of the dead (v. 12). How easy would it be if there was no resurrection?

They were to be “always abounding in the work of the Lord.” They were to “always overflow” with the work of the Lord. Why? Our labor in the Lord is not in vain. If one is a faithful Christian and death comes to overtake him, then the Lord will gladly look upon his work and reward him (Heb. 6:10).

This Sunday (and every day that follows) keep the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection in mind. Remember that through his death and resurrection the faithful Christian will also be resurrected (Heb. 2:14-15). Please do not forget the responsibility that Christians have in response to these great facts.