Podcast 1-4-19
Did Judas Take The Passover? Did Christ Wash His Feet? Will Judas Be Given Another Chance ?
CHRIST WASHED JUDAS' FEET AND ATE DINNER WITH HIM
The most important role for Jesus in the Bible is the Passover. Christ was the true Passover Lamb that saved Israel in Egypt and obviously that paid the price so God could pass over our sins. The world has been distracted from this vital truth by focusing on Jesus's birthday primarily and, ignoring His role as the Lamb of God.
John 1:29 NKJV 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Acts 4:12 NKJV 12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
The Passover Sacrifice of Jesus is the most vital event in Biblical history. It is clear that Judas was at the eventful Passover dinner. The service and meal were about twenty hours before the Lamb Sacrifice at the Temple for Israel. The true sacrifice for all mankind was taking place on time; for God is meticulous and exacting. Judas was used by God to force the Jews to sacrifice Jesus at this exact key moment in the calendar. The physical lamb and Jesus the real Spiritual Lamb were sacrificed at the same time.
John 13:1-2 NKJV 1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him,
It is clear that we can place Judas at the foot washing and meal.
John 13:11-12 NKJV 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean." 12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?
Judas was with the others. Jesus did wash his feet. Jesus was willing to wash his feet and to eat with Judas though He knew he would betray him. He showed love toward Judas right up to the very moment of betrayal.
John 13:25-26 NKJV 25 Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, "Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
Jesus signaled to John who would betray him at the meal.
JUDAS DID NOT PARTAKE OF THE BREAD AND THE WINE
The New Testament Passover Sacraments of the bread and wine are vital links to our savior. We affirm our commitment to Christ ever year as we partake of the New Testament Passover Service. It is a very sacred service to God. Note Paul's warnings about taking it lightly or in an inappropriate manner;
1 Corinthians 11:23 NKJV 23 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;
Christ could not have eaten the Passover meal with rest of Israel because he was the real Lamb of God and was sacrificed simultaneously as the physical lamb and was in the grave awaiting His resurrection. Therefore He instituted the New Testament Passover Service for His true believers to remember His long ordeal and sacrifice which began with the betrayal of Judas and then the tormenting and flogging and finally the crucifixion. Further believers commemorate the comradeship and love of his followers with Jesus on his last night on earth.
1 Corinthians 11:25-29 NKJV 25 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." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
Judas left immediately after the sop. He ate with the others and then left before the new service was inaugurated. We cannot place Judas at the bread and wine solemn dedication service. Jesus loved Judas and was willing to wash his feet however; Judas did not have the proper attitude for taking the Passover symbols. It is important to note Judas unworthy attitude. This point is vital to consider because of its example for us. God does not want just anyone to partake of this most holy of services. Note that Judas left right after dipping the sop traitorous spirit.
John 13:27 KJV 27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
Matthew 26:23 KJV 23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
We learn from Mathews account that the new bread and wine service does not start until after the sop was given to Judas. Therefore Judas left to betray Christ and while gone on his evil mission Jesus began the new intimate service for his remaining disciples.
Matthew 26:26-27 KJV 26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. {blessed it: many Greek copies have gave thanks} 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Therefore Jesus ate with Judas but Judas did not partake of the bread and the wine for he was in an evil attitude.
WILL JUDAS RECEIVE ANOTHER CHANCE FOR SALVATION ?
This is a much debated topic. The argument follows these lines. Judas had to be allowed to be deceived and used by Satan to fulfill the prophesy of the Messiah being betrayed.
Matthew 26:53-54 KJV 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Psalms 55:11-14 KJV 11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets. 12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. {mine equal: Heb. according to my rank} 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
Jesus Christ great sacrifice for all mankind began with a betrayal by one he loved. That would hurt especially hard. Someone had to fulfill these prophesies so some argue could not the man be given another chance for salvation. This might sound logical to us but the person would have to then live for all eternity with this horrible reputation. Can you imagine what it would be like!
What does Jesus himself say about this issue?
Matthew 26:24-25 KJV 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of Him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25 Then Judas, which betrayed Him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
God demands loyalty toward Him and His Son.
GOD PRIZES LOVE AND LOYALTY
The first commandment requires us to be loyal to God to worship only the one true God. Loyalty to the true God is required. God is a jealous God. We all are learning in this life to give our love and loyalty and obedience to God. God is love and requires us to be loving and loyal to him and each other.
Matthew 22:36-39 KJV 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
John 13:34-35 KJV 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
All of us never want to become a JUDAS and to assure that this never happens to us we should keep the Passover every year in a repentant attitude. We must all strive for more love and loyalty and less of the normal human carnal backstabbing. Christ will make the decision regarding Judas of course and we can use his bad example to help us stay faithful.
