Curious to find the reason for the Very Reverend Roger Dawson's choice of subject

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Monday, April 14, 2003 By: Rev. Eddy J Muskus

VHeadline.com reader the Rev. Eddy J Muskus writes: I was curious to find the reason for the Very Reverend Roger Dawson's choice of subject -- <a href=www.vheadline.com>'Judas the one who didn't betray but handed over.'

It was rather disappointed that he limited his application to simple 'not to blame others for our own predicaments'. He missed the point altogether by suggesting that the crucifixion of Jesus Christ would have been 'a hideous accident and not a deliberate act on behalf of Jesus.'

There are several texts from the scriptures that can be quoted which support the fact that Judas' action was an act of betrayal. John records in his gospel (John 13:18-19) that Jesus quoted part of Psalm 41:9 to state his authority and total control over the circumstances of his betrayal. Jesus said He knew whom he had chosen, but scripture had to be fulfilled: 'He that eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me' (Psalm 41:9). Following this quote Jesus stated his main reason for saying those words. 'I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He.'

The portion from the Psalm is important because the context is of friendship, the Psalmist speaks of a 'close friend in whom he trusted'. Now, Jesus has no problem in identifying Judas as the son of perdition (John 17:12), and though Judas was a friend, he was not clean (John 13:10). Jesus said it before it took place to vindicate whom he was, no other than the Son of God. Peter in his sermon on the day of Pentecost said: 'Men of Israel... Jesus ... was delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put him to death' (Acts 2:22-23). It is evident that God was in control of Jesus' crucifixion and was part of His eternal plan to redeem his people, yet what it is striking is the fact that the hands of godless men carried out the act of crucifying him.

If history has blamed the Jews for the death of Jesus Christ it has been due to a complete misunderstanding (deliberate one) but it has nothing to do with Judas. It was necessary for Jesus to die and then rise from the dead. The important truth is this fact. Jesus deliberately came to save sinners, and the cross and the shedding of his blood was the only way. If anything has to be said regarding Judas and his betrayal is that his greed confirmed the state of his heart. The fact that Scripture also records that 'Satan entered into him' (John 13:27) places him in a terrible condition.

With regard to the place of the Jews today in history, Paul has a message for them in his letter to the Ephesians: There Paul demonstrates that the power of God has broken down the middle wall of partition. There is now One Christian Church in which we can find Jews and Gentiles alike worshipping the same God. The blood of Christ has cleansed their sins. Jesus Christ has reconciled them both unto God in one body by the cross (Ephesians 2:13-17).

It will be interesting to note if the congregation to whom the Very Reverend Roger Dawson ministers have understood that they need to repent from their sins and trust Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior. Redemption has been accomplished by the Lord, and many may be still 'far off' thinking that they are in Christ, thus, it is our business to show them the way to Calvary hoping and trusting in the God of miracle to grant them faith and repentance for the safety of their eternal souls.

Yours Rev. Eddy J Muskus ejmuskus@arrakis.es