THE ULTIMATE SIGN OF HUMILITY- FEET WASHING? LET US EXPLORE! ….ST. JOHN 13 VERSE 14

INTRODUCTION

Well mon, people it is that time of the month again! You thought January was bad February was even more hectic has been travelling by foot and public transportation in the southern part of the United States where transportation is almost non-existent. Had to be escorted out of Virginia and took a bus to the remotest part of South Carolina, Rock Hill. I had long stretches of walking in Virginia, Maryland and South Carolina. Baltimore is a city I would not like to visit again. Pennsylvania I would do again. It has character.  Washington, District of Colombia I am looking forward to visit again I need to visit the Library of Congress and the Episcopal Church that the President attends plus I need to get some pictures of the other sites especially that view from the Lincoln Memorial right across the pool to the Washington Monument and Capitol Hill.  I can still see it in my mind’s eye. I also need a picture of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. The African American Museum of Black History was fantastic except for the descending order of things. I have also found a nice African American Library here in Atlanta that has some very useful information and books. Schromburg in Harlem,  New York might want to swap notes with them. Lovely displays if I was sticking around I would join their writers’ club sounds interesting. 

I started writing this Blog in the Amtrak Station at Staple Mills Road in Richmond Virginia where I had to wait for four hours for my transportation. I don’t know when I will finish I am presently typing from the Fulton County Public Library on Peachtree Avenue in Atlanta. That is downtown Atlanta. I arrived in Atlanta on March 3 in the wee hours of the morning. Some famous sites are all around. I visited the Centennial Olympic Park and took the Atlanta Street Car. I did not get to visit the sites I wanted to because on my way to World Changers International my bus pass that I purchased as I arrived for US$18 was stolen. The lying Christians knew what had happened and tried to perpetrate the lie a bit further. My mind has been turned off the place ever since.

Let me tell you about this incident. I just went into the Street Car because I had a valid MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) ticket.  By the next stop I came off when I looked behind me a police had boarded the street car and started asking for tickets.  There was a gentleman on the street car with his child fast asleep and very comfortable when I went on. The only reason why the Policeman turned up is because I am closely monitored and it appears you need a special ticket for the Street Car. The gentleman sleeping had no ticket for his sake I was sorry I went on the street car, because he and his child would have completed their nap and then gone on their way.  Now you see why I isolate myself from other people. My persecutors are very vindictive and if they can’t hurt me they will hurt anyone within reach. The United States is a police state, everywhere i go people are threatening me with police actions.  Cameras are everywhere, one bus driver in South Carolina over there in Devine, told me to stop singing on the bus because i am being observed by the cameras. The fact that the joy of the Lord is my strength was upsetting my persecutors. Then there are the paid liars called security guards. I had to tell a Librarian in Richmond, Virginia 'liar, liar pants on fire'.

REFLECTIONS

Just thought this is something I should know more about since Jesus did it and He is our perfect example. I don’t see many churches doing this but there are many things of Jesus that most churches don’t do. Apostle Paul said follow me as I follow Christ I Corinthians 11 verse 1. When other persons veer you continue to follow the strait path.  Be like the Bereans test every scripture Acts 17 verse 11.

In this Blog we will be looking at what is this phenomenon and who did it. How is it entwined in the Jewish culture? Is the washing of feet relevant today in the church?  

CRITICAL DEFINITION

Humility- is in Christ. I don’t care how humble you might think yourself to be if you do not say Jesus Christ is Lord you do not have true humility. When one confesses Jesus Christ as Lord they are saying God You are in charge and I am not. In Him you live, move and have your being.

Dictionary Definition- Merriam Webster – Freedom from pride or arrogance, the quality or state of being humble.

I.                FEET WASHING - Jewish Culture

The Jews had all sorts of rules but when one examines the different rules especially where hygiene was concerned it was for the benefit of all the people. However, the means became the end in the culture, as Jesus had to say to the Pharisees and Sadducees  on many occasions the rules had become more important than the people. Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson would say the law is not a shackle. The Reggae Boyz (The Jamaica World Cup Football team) had qualified for the world cup and the Prime Minister had immediately declared the day a National Holiday, without following observed protocols. A number of persons disagreed hence his comment.  Jamaica is just Jamaica people. Now you see why I never planned to live in North America.  We are a unique set of people.

Getting back to the Jews! Feet washing was a part of the culture because persons wore sandals. The roads were not paved and animals used the roadways also and released their droppings . Reminds me of some releases I have had to make in recent times. No more details people that is for the book!! Other examples of scriptures which make mention of washing of feet are Abigail I Samuel 25 verse 41 and the Apostle Paul speaking to the criteria of being a good widow I Timothy 5 verses 9 - 10. As I am writing this section I am in Fredericksburg, (FRED Regional buses) Virginia in a bus terminal called The Lawrence A. Davies Transit Center with my shoes off and I am reflecting that I could do with a little feet massage myself.  My feet have covered a number of miles in recent times.
One must remember that foot washing, especially those of strangers, was a custom of the times. It demonstrated a person's love, kindness, hospitality, and concern for people; other than just their family and friends. There is a most beautiful illustration of this to be found in St. Luke 7 verses 36 - 50. The Lady with the Alabaster box.  Let us listen to the song by CeCe Winans. 

II.        JESUS WASHES HIS DISCIPLES’ FEET – St. John 13

Jesus did this when He was about to go out of an act of love. The stage is set.

Verse 2  – Supper was ended Judas had done his thing.

Verse 3  – Jesus was aware of who He is and where He was going.

Verse 4 – His actions were deliberate and well thought out not haphazard. He rose laid aside his garments a towel and girded Himself

Verse 5 – He poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and wipe them with the towel He had on His waist.

Verse 6 – It is now Peter’s turn. Lord help my Holy Ghost. Peter said, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

Verse 7 – Jesus answered Peter you don’t understand now but it will be clear to you later.

Verse 8 – Peter with his indomitable self-told Jesus He would never wash his feet. Jesus  informed him ‘If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.’

Verse 9 – When Peter heard this he changed his mind and wanted a complete bath ‘Lord not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

Verse 10 – Jesus explained to Peter that it was only necessary to wash the feet after one has been saved indicating that one has to mindful of their Christian walk.  He also mentioned the fact that not all the disciples were clean.

Verse 11 – Indicated that this was Judas.

Verse 12 – After the exercise was complete; a teaching moment (these are the things that makes me wonder what most Pastors are doing, everything is present in the bible) He posed an open ended question. Know ye what I have done to you? To get them thinking and then He started the lesson. Jesus spoke to the fact that they called Him Master and Lord and that He was deserving of the title since he was their Lord and Master and had washed their feet they were to go and do likewise to each other. He told them that what He has done was an example.

Verse 16 – Jesus said verily, verily, when God repeats Himself you have to sit up and pay attention.  Jesus was speaking to the equality of all men. We might hold different positions in Society but under God we are equal. He told them as leaders they need to know that and they will be happy if they do them.

He then spoke of the betrayal of Judas which indicates that life is not going to be perfect.

Verse 20 – He that receiveth His disciples also receives Him and whosoever receiveth Him receiveth God.

III.    RELEVANCE OF FEET WASHING

These days’ people my life is much uncomplicated Jesus is the perfect example He knew no sin.  He would not do anything to harm me.  He did it, that settles it. I really don’t get into the intellectual gibberish. I really wonder if some Pastors read the Bible. I read some articles and they were talking about the numbers game.  Let us further examine what took place in St. John 13. Jesus had twelve Apostles and many disciples.  He washed the Apostles feet.  That was the leadership of the new movement those who would lead when He was gone. Those who He took three and one half years pouring Himself into.  There is no indication that he washed the other disciples’ feet. The Apostles were to go and do likewise. For those of you who have mega churches the principle is already laid down in Exodus 18.

Jesus did not wash the feet of the sheep because all we sheep do is walk around aimlessly eat grass and drink water.  The leadership is the job of the shepherd.  When the first Passover meal was instituted there was no washing of feet. Exodus 12 verses 1 - 28.  It was done hastily people fully clothed ate hurriedly and there was no washing of feet. Exodus 13 verses 31-33.
Remember i am sheep people as the Apostle Paul would say it is not said by Jesus but by me.  I am saying this is not in the Bible and we sheep don't have much sense but from where i am sitting up to the book of Exodus we really had only two major characters Joseph and Moses. The Bible said in Numbers 12 verse 3 that Moses was the meekest man. Before Jesus' time you had all those

Prophets and Kings which were so puffed up and did so many dastardly things.  We just did a comprehensive study of king Saul and even King David (the man after God's heart) Acts 13 verse 22. We even had King Uzziah who got so puffed up with his successes that he decided that he could perform the duties of the Priests. God struck him with leprosy immediately II Chronicles 26 verses 16 - 21.  It is my humble prognosis that God was just implementing another check and balance through His son, to protect the leadership. Take it from me the life of a sheep is nice.  I have done Church from both sides and I prefer being a part of the flock. 

CONCLUSION

In concluding, let me say that the washing of feet is even more relevant today where men have become so puffed up because of technological advancement and the size of their ministries.  In all of this the lesson of Christ is still humility and servanthood that we should be our brother’s keeper and not executioner.

My suggestion to most Pastors in North America is that they visit the McDonald's outlets after 12 a.m. in their areas which have become a refuge for most homeless and indigents and let the church be the Church. You all might all stop having empty churches.

This is me Lillene’s baby girl coming to you from the city of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. They have the most fantastic Airport JFK eat your heart out.

À bientôt!!

REFERENCES
1. VII.4 SHOULD WE PRACTICE FOOT WASHING TODAY?
2. Washing of Feet: Is It Relevant In Today's Church?

THE THREE MAJOR BETRAYALS IN THE BIBLE AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES ….ST. JOHN 13 VERSE 27

INTRODUCTION

Well mon, people it is that time of the month again! January has been very hectic been travelling by foot and public transportation in the eastern part of the United States.  It has been challenging but quite an eye opener. Unfortunately, I have not been very well received because of the Canadian factor. They go ahead of me and rile up the public officials and the police. I am realizing that everybody could do with a little more money. So no one seems to be immune. All the Libraries have the Canadian spy program. Everyone eavesdrop on what I am doing on the computer. I will have to continue to plod on it was never easy for anyone who had to stood up for their principles. I have a series of Blog coming up i am particularly looking forward to the one on Welfare as done by God.  I want to show the Church how far we have fallen from the original plan and why it can't be done by government.

REFLECTIONS

This topic came to me in 2010 during one of the most difficult periods in my life. It is one of the topics that is included in my two journals that were stolen. 2010 was the year I read the Bible through twice in one year. I could not get enough of the word because I needed answers. We will be looking at the three major betrayals King Saul and David, Ahitophel and David and Judas and the Master. What took place and the lessons learnt.

CRITICAL DEFINITION

Definition of Betray (Merriam Webster)

Transitive Verb

1: to lead astray; especially: SEDUCE

·         A nation betrayed into violence

·         A teenager betrayed by a much older man

2: to deliver to an enemy by treachery

·         Was betrayed to the authorities by one of his students

·         Betraying one’s own country

3: to fail or desert especially in time of need

·         Betrayed by his family

·         Felt that she would be betraying her principles

·         You’ve betrayed out trust

4a: to reveal unintentionally

·         Betray one’s true feelings

b: SHOW, INDICATE

·         His best columns betray… the philosophical bent of his mind.

·         Jason Brown

c: to disclose in violation of confidence

·         Betray a secret

Intransitive Verb

·         To prove false.

I.          KING SAUL DESTROYED BY JEALOUSY

King Saul realized that God had anointed David to succeed him on the throne instead of his son Jonathan.  He was so wrought that it lead to insanity, King Saul had only himself to blame. When he was chosen he was head and shoulders above everybody else (be careful of these people who are taller than everyone else physically), they might be the choice of men but not the choice of God. Man looketh at the outer God looketh at the heart I Samuel 16 verse 17. King Saul was very disobedient I Samuel 15 verse 22 and wanted to blame the people for his actions.  God took the kingdom from him and gave it to a little shepherd boy by the name of David. Now David did not ask to be king he was just in the field learning ‘The Art of War’ with his sling and honing his skills as a musician. The prayer warrior part was to come later when King Saul was chasing him and he had four hundred vagrants to deal with.

Can you imagine you are in distress and you have four hundred people who are even  more distressed than you?  Talk about praying all types of prayers. King Saul chased King David his replacement for thirteen years.

1　Samuel　13 -    King Saul offered sacrifice illegally.

1　Samuel　15 -  King Saul disobeyed the Lord again. The kingdom is symbolically taken from him by God.

After this in  I Samuel 16 we see where God sent Prophet Samuel to secretly anoint David as king. I tell you God and His diplomacy for fear of Samuel’s life and that of Jesse and his family.  The Bible says ‘But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. 1　Samuel　16　verse　14　　. King David was appointed to play for King Saul.  David’s one minute elevator speech enunciated by one of the servants ‘Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.’1　Samuel　16　verse　18 . David was hired to play for King Saul. David got to learn about life in the palace.

1　Samuel　17 - King David annihilated the giant Goliath that everyone was hiding from including King Saul. He officially became a part of the palace marrying King Saul’s daughter Michal. He and King Saul’s son Jonathan, became best friends.

1　Samuel　18　verse　5  And David went out withersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war; and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

Fantastic scripture which indicated that the young man did not become carried away with all the attention and behaved carelessly, which makes the ultimate betrayal that more condemning.

1　Samuel　18　verse　6-7   indicated that it is not even what you say that gets you in trouble but what other people say about you. It was the ladies that commended David and Saul became very wroth and began keenly observing David from that day on. Then the evil spirit came on him and while David was playing he tried to kill him. 1　Samuel　18　verse　11.          

1　Samuel　18　verse　12 King Saul became afraid of David for ‘the Lord was with him and was departed from Saul’. 1　Samuel　18　verse　14-16

The rest of the chapter is full of King Saul’s deception in order to get David killed.  The daughter that he should have married was given to another (that is prophetic a strategic move by the all-knowing God). In order to get him killed King Saul asked him to get one hundred foreskins of the Philistines as a dowry for his daughter, which he did.  He ultimately got the girl, and the girl loved him and he became the father in law’s continual enemy.

1　Samuel　18　verse　30 –  David behaved himself so well in exalted company that his name was constantly being called.

1　Samuel　19 –  Private sin become public. King Saul wanted everyone to assist him to kill David even his own son Jonathan and later his daughter Michal.

1　Samuel　20　verse　31 – King Saul actually told Jonathan that as long as David was alive Jonathan would not ascend the throne. In fleeing King Saul, David got assistance from the Priests of Nob which angered the former who got Doeg the Edomite, to do the dirty work killing all seventy Priests.

1　Samuel　21　ｖｅｒｓｅ:10-15  In fleeing David went to Gath where he pretended to be a mad man to save his life.

In 1　Samuel　22 –  David went to live in the caves of Adullam where he was joined by all his household and everyone that was in distress, everyone in debt and everyone that was discontented gathered themselves unto him and he became a captain over them and there were with him about four hundred men.

1　Samuel　23 –  David became an official fugitive living among the Philistines and fighting against the Philistines.  One major constant in David’s life was that he was always enquiring of the Lord. He did not move until the Priest used the Ephod to know what the Lord is saying. One of the major thing was that the people that David helped would betray his whereabouts to King Saul.

In 1　Samuel　24 -  David had his first opportunity to wipe out King Saul and this was his response. I Samuel 24 verse 6 ‘And he said unto his men, The Lord forbids that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed…

I Samuel 25 verses 42 - 43 -  David took time out in the wilderness to get married.

1 Samuel 26 verse 2 - So many soldiers came after one man. Reminds me of my life and the whole host of criminals that I see on a daily basis running around like headless chickens following me.

1 Samuel 26 verses 8 - 11 - God delivered King Saul into David’s hands a second time.

1 Samuel 28 verse 6 – God stopped communicating with Saul.  Terrible state to be in when the Lord himself cut you off.  Because of this King Saul who had cut off all Psychics and Sages in the land had to seek out one disguising himself in other raiment.

1 Samuel 30 –  Ziklag where David and his bunch hang out was raided while they were on a raid and all their possessions and families were taken. At the first sign of trouble all David’s men were willing to stone him.  The Bible says that David encouraged himself and then enquired of the Lord. 1 Samuel 30 verse 8.

1 Samuel 20 verses:22-25  -  Principle established by David, everybody partake equally as part of the team whether you tended the stuff or went to battle.

The Demise of King Saul

I Samuel 31 verse 34 – King Saul fell on his own sword after his armour bearer refused to kill him. A good life was wasted because of hatred and jealousy not only he died but all his sons died on the same day.

II.        AHITOPHEL – THE ORACLE OF GOD THAT COMMITTED SUICIDE

How does one go from being a mouth piece of God to someone who commits suicide? Let us explore!! This I find to be one of the most tragic stories of the Bible. I mean very tragic, very, very tragic. Yuh feel mi people!! From where I am sitting Ahitophel should have died a martyr not a sinner.  This story more than any other gives credence to the quote by Edmund Burke- The only thing that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good men to keep silent.

Ahitophel as per 2 Samuel 15 verse 12 was King David’s trusted counsellor. He was the first man to hold that office under King David’s government 1 Chronicles 27 verses 33 - 34.  He had the King`s ears, I think he was spineless and a coward who wanted to spare his own life.

Before we go much further let us look at some facts about this fellow Ahitophel. He was a Gilhonite from the tribe of Giloh. Giloh was near Hebron, Joshua 15 verses 51-55.  This was Caleb’s country where those traitors the Ziph who betrayed David lived. The Bible does not speak to the specific way and time the relationship was formed and one does not want to speculate. Suffice it to say in 2 Samuel 11 verse 3  King David was warned (or someone was trying to caution him) that Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite. Who listens to reason when they are ridden by hormones?

Let me interject here I am reminded of the book 'A Man for All Seasons Sir Thomas Moore'. Almost identical situation involving one of the Henry VIII of Great Britain who wanted to marry female he should not marry. Of course in those days monarch listened to church or got rid of them.  If the church did not endorse the marriage nobody else would. I think most people in the story capitulated because they did not want to lose their heads except for this fellow Sir Thomas Moore who was eventually sent to the dungeons and then to the gallows. But we are still reading about him as a man who stood for what he believed in. Those days church and state were intimately intertwined. I don’t know where we got this foolishness about separation of church and state. It is the church more than anything else that caused the expansion of the British Kingdom. Quoting from James Baldwin The Fire Next Time pg 45 – ‘When the white man came to Africa, the white man had the Bible and the African had the land, but now it is the white man who is being, reluctantly and bloodily, separated from the land, and the African who is still attempting to digest or to vomit up the Bible’.

Ahitophel did not want to lose his head like Sir Thomas Moore. He allowed King David to commit this sin.

Who was Eliam?

In II Samuel 23 verse 34(b) where the lists of King David’s thirty and Seven mighty men were being listed it states ‘Eliam the son of Ahitophel the Gilonite.  This means that King David was having an affair with Ahitophel’s granddaughter and murdered his son in law. People, now do you see why the Bible say if you have ought against your brother you ought to go to your brother and you are not to allow the sun to go down on your anger. If your trusted adviser cannot speak to you. Who can? Here it is before Ahitophel dealt with the matter he internalized things and had a grudge against King David carrying for a number of years. Hence the reason God used Prophet Nathan in a diplomatic way to deal with King David. Ahitophel was too busy sulking. Reminds me of Mrs. Ellorine Walker former principal of Merl Grove High School who said to me once, ‘Raphleta, what are you sulking about now? Ahitophel needed someone like her to deal with him direct and to the point.

Root of Bitterness

Ahitophel allowed the root of bitterness to fester in his heart which became the motivation to turn on King David and join Absalom. Hebrews 12 verses 14 - 15. 

In 2 Samuel 15 verse 12  Absalom immediately sent for Ahitophel and sought his counsel when he was trying to overthrow his father. This indicates that there was some dissension between King David and his Chief Adviser or the fact that Absalom had inside information on what had taken place. You know the grapevine otherwise called Nomadic News Network (NNN).

In 2 Samuel 16 verses 21 - 23  just to indicate how accurate Ahitophel was in his counsel.  The same things that Nathan predicted in 2 Samuel 12 verse 10 - 11  were the same things that Ahitophel told Absalom to do. The man was 100% correct.  I tell you I want to stone some of these Armani and Gucci suited gentlemen that call themselves prophets. The Prophet Jeremiah said they are saying that God said when he has said nothing.

In 2 Samuel 17 verses 1 - 2 I tell you Ahitophel was motivated, not being satisfied with the ultimate degradation and insult that Absalom could inflict on his father by openly sleeping with his wives and concubines. He wanted to have his ultimate revenge by killing King David himself.  He wanted to pursue David capture him when he is weak, and destroy him.  He wanted the ultimate vengeance. King David puts it this way in Psalm 41 verse 9’Yea mine own familiar friend in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.’

Ahitophel was not wise enough or he would have known that ‘vengeance is mine saith the Lord I will repay' Romans 12 verse 19.  The fact of the matter is that King David had already dealt with the sin in 2 Samuel 12 verse 13 . King David had already sought forgiveness and God had promised that he would not die. 

God overturned the counsel of Ahitophel as prayed by King David 2 Samuel 15 verse 31.  Mon people you are only fooling yourselves when you are making excuses for your sins.  King David shows how repentance is done

Suicide - The Ultimate Indication of Hopelessness

In 2 Samuel 17 verse 23  when Ahitophel saw that his counsel was overturned he packed up his ass went home, set his affairs in order and committed suicide. This was the most idiotic thing he could have done. Suicide negates the power of God. It is saying one is so far gone that God is not able to help. That is not what my Bible says in Psalm 139. It says whatever the situation He  has us covered. It also speaks to the fact that the man was full of pride. He should have the Canadians and the African mutants otherwise known as Bro. Anancy Nigerians to deal with like me.  The first thing was that they uncovered my nakedness, then they tried to destroy me with bio-terrorism, then they along with the crooked Jamaican politicians and businessmen stole all that I have and they continue to try and steal all that I have. Death is final once there is life there is hope.  I am reminded of the story of the man in the tree that ate his last banana and was about to jump because he thought he had nothing to live for.  Then he looked down and saw a man under the tree eating the banana peel he had thrown away. Moral of the story when you think you are wiped out there is always someone worse than you.

I state categorically King David would not have killed him as evidenced by the scriptures.  He did not kill Joab who murdered General Abner deceitfully.  He did not kill Shimei who cursed him most disgracefully when he was leaving town because of Absalom and he did not kill Ziba who lied to him about Mephibosheth. He left them all to King Solomon 1 Kings 2 verses 1 - 8  Ahitophel was King Solomon’s great grandfather. I tell you this Bible is a book for all seasons.

I always wondered why of all King David’s children that God fell in love with Solomon.  I think I have found the answer; it is the consolation to Ahitophel and Uriah. After all they were both good men. Psalm 115 verse 3 ‘He sits in the heaven and he does as he pleases'. When you can’t believe his hand trusts his heart says the song 

If Ahitophel had not allowed bitterness to blind him and committed suicide he would have lived until he died and seen his great grandson become king of Israel.

III.    JUDAS ISCARIOT – PRE-ORDAINED VERSUS CHOICE

The most terrible betrayal in the Bible! Someone had to do it but you would not want it to be you. Let us deal with the whole question of pre-ordination versus choice. God is omni- Omniscient meaning he knows everything, Omni-present He is everywhere present and he is Omni-potent meaning He is all powerful.  He is also the alpha and omega.  He knows the end of a matter even before he starts it.  Having said that, you will note that all through scripture Judas had a choice, no one pushed him.  He made an adult decision based on his avarice. Let us now look at his non committed behavior throughout scriptures.

Lack of Faith in Jesus

Although Judas was chosen to be one of the twelve  St. John 6 verse 64 scriptural evidence points to the fact that he never believed Jesus to be God. One gets the impression that Judas was not convinced that Jesus is the Messiah, based on the Jewish interpretation of what the Messiah should be.  The other disciples called Jesus ‘Lord’, not Judas instead he called him ‘Rabbi’ acknowledging Jesus as nothing more than a teacher. The other disciples made profession of faith and loyalty St. John 6 verse 68  and 11 verse 16  Judas never did and appears to have remained silent on these occasions.

Personal Relationship with Jesus

Judas not only lacked faith in Christ but he also had little or no personal relationship with Jesus. When the Synoptic Gospels list the twelve, they are always listed in the same general order with slight variations (St. Matthew 10 verses :2 - 4, St. Mark 3 verses 16 - 19 and St. Luke 6 verses 14 - 16 ).  The general order is believed to indicate the relative closeness of their personal relationship with Christ. Despite the variations, Peter and the Brothers James and John are always listed first, which is consistent with their relationship with Jesus.  Judas is always listed last, which may indicate his relative lack of personal relationship with the Christ.  In addition, the only documented dialogue between Jesus and Judas involves Judas being rebuked by Jesus after his greed motivated remark to Mary. St. John 12 verses 1 - 8. Judas’ denial of his betrayal St. Matthew 26 verse 25 , and the betrayal itself.  St. Luke 22 verse 48 .

Judas was consumed with greed to the point of betraying the trust of not only Jesus, but also his fellow disciples St. John 12 verses 4-6.

Wrong Motives

Judas may have desired to follow Jesus simply because he saw the great following and believed he could profit financially. The fact that Judas was in charge of the money bag for the group is indicative of his interest in money  St. John 13 verse 29.  Judas like most people at that time believed that Jesus would overthrow Roman occupation and take a position of power ruling over the nation of Israel. A number of persons in addition to Judas was hoping to benefit from association with Him as the new reigning political power; expecting to be among the new elite after the revolution. By the time of Judas' betrayal, Jesus had made it clear that He planned to die, not start a rebellion against Rome. Judas must have assumed not unlike the Pharisees that since He would not overthrow the Romans, He must not be the Messiah they were expecting.

Old Testament Referral To the Betrayal

1. Psalm 41:9 King James Version (KJV)

⁹ Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. Fulfillment St matthew 26 verse 14 and 48-49

Fulfilled:

Matthew 26:14-16 King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

¹⁵ 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.

¹⁶ And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

Matthew 26:48-49 King James Version (KJV)

⁴⁸ Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

⁴⁹ And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

2. Zechariah 11:12-13 King James Version (KJV)

¹² And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.

¹³ And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord.

Fulfilled:

Matthew 27:3-5 King James Version (KJV)

³ Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

⁴ Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

⁵ And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

These Old Testament prophecies indicate that Judas' betrayal was known to God and that it was sovereignly planned beforehand as the means by which Jesus would be killed.

CONCLUSION

In concluding, in all three cases mentioned the root of the matter had to do with the heart condition of the persons.  King Saul was a very insecure leader who allowed covetousness and jealousy to overcome his heart. I was just reading the Ten Commandments as I do my yearly routine of going through the Bible at least once per year and while reading the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, I was amazed at how detailed the Lord was in outlining the things that should not be coveted. I said to myself the Lord really knows the creatures he has made. He was simply saying you should not want to be like the Jones'. Keep your nose out of your neighbour's business. King Saul wanted it all and lost everything.

In the, case of Ahitophel a really tragic story!  We are reminded of Proverbs 4:23 King James Version (KJV)

²³ Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

This wise, not so wise man allowed bitterness to take root in his heart and eventually destroyed him and eventually lost the ultimate his life. King David was also culpable but he is wise. He knew the power of repentance. 1 John 1:9 King James Version (KJV)

⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Reminds me of a Sister in the church that once told me the feet of Jesus was always a safe place to be. Why don't we listen to Ron Kenoly's 'I will Come and Bow Down'. 

Judas! Judas! Judas! what can one say but, I am lucky I am not him.  One also has to look at the situation in context. Remember pretext, post text and context.  Contextually, it is said that hind sight is 20/20. Meaning we now have the full picture of what took place back then.  In their days the teachings and actions of Jesus were very revolutionary.  Remember after he was crucified everyone went back to fishing. Unfortunately, Judas' motives were not pure and by the time he realized his error Satan had already entered him and had his way St John 13:27 King James Version (KJV)

²⁷ And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

From our discourse I think we can safely say God does not look upon betrayal very well, all cases ended up in death of the individuals who did the betrayal.  We can also clearly see that these persons hearts were never at peace.  The Bible says if your heart condemns you, God is greater than our hearts and knoweth all things 1 John 3 verses 19-21.  The Bible again says we are to be at peace with all men. Yes people you are not going to love everyone and if we follow the Sermon on the Mount way of doing things we will avoid a lot of conflicts and heartaches.  If you have  ought against your brother go to your brother and talk to your brother.  That is the only way the church is going to have effective growth.

This is me Lillene’s baby girl coming to you from the city that never sleeps New York, USA

À bientôt!!

REFERENCES:

Why Did Ahitophel Betray David?

Ahitophel- The Wise Man who Committed Suicide!

Why Did Judas Betray Jesus?