Who was Judas Iscariot and who became the 13th Apostle

Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Christ.

The New Testament tells us quite often that Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ. Did he? Or were the actions of Judas necessary to ensure the passover sacrifice of Christ?

Judas may have betrayed Christ, the writers of the New Testament books of scripture believed that he did.

Ignoring the conviction of Judas by the writers of the Gospels and looking at the words of Christ, the words of Judas and the actions of both it is possible to come to a different conclusion. That Christ recruited Judas to deliver him, knowing that he would be crucified.

At one time, on a Sabbath day, Christ came into the Temple of Jerusalem. Christ took a whip and attacked people, driving them out of the Temple. Christ was now in Jerusalem at Passover and the Sabbath was coming.

It is very important to understand what a big deal this is. Passover at the Temple in Jerusalem is the most important day in the Jewish Year. It is also the most profitable day of the year. It is important to understand these things because they place the rash actions of the Sanhedrin in context.

The idea of Christ being brought before a trial of the Sanhedrin on a Thursday night during Passover is incredible. Any Orthodox Jew will tell you that this cannot happen. The reality is that it did happen, and it happened because the circumstances were extraordinary, a crazy man was going to disrupt the Passover Sabbath at the Temple of Jerusalem. Even an Orthodox Jew will tell you that it is acceptable to break the rules under extraordinary circumstances.

Christ understood all of these things far more than the disciples did. Christ understood that the Sanhedrin of Herod's Temple in Jerusalem were driven by Greed and Power and that they would do anything to prevent Christ from disrupting the most profitable day of the year. Christ must die before the Sabbath. Christ must never be allowed to disrupt the proceedings at the Temple again.

Christ does not exactly promise that Judas will receive his place as a leader of one of the twelve tribes in Heaven, but, it is implied. In Matthew 19:28 Christ tells us: “...That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” In Luke 22:28-30 Christ tells us: “...28Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. “

Did Christ imply falsely? No, Christ does tell us that "...ye which have followed me...". Does that include Judas? Only Christ knows.

There are those who believe that the eleven left after Christ rose from the grave chose the man known as the “13th Apostle”, Mathias. Christ appointed Paul as an Apostle. In my beliefs Christ is the one who appoints Apostles, not people.

Paul may very well be the one who rules over one of the twelve tribes after the regeneration. Paul may be a response to the eleven thinking they had the right to choose the 13th.

It may be that Judas was just obeying Christ and doing what Christ commanded, Let us look at this a little differently. In Matthew 26 Christ commands Judas that it is Judas who must betray him. In John 13 Christ commands Judas to go and betray him.

The Sanhedrin were not Prophets, they were not directed by God. For the crucifixion to happen God had to deliver Christ to them. Did Christ command Judas or did Christ just allow Judas the opportunity?

Christ told Judas that it would be better for the one who betrays him to have never been born. Can you imagine the enormity of being one of the most hated people on Earth for thousands of years? It is no wonder that when Judas realized what happened and how he was and would be rejected by his friends that he killed himself.

Christ knew that would happen.

So why do I consider this possibility and present it?

One reason and one reason only, because understanding can never be gained through study of the written word. Understanding can only be gained through the Holy Ghost and the Holy Ghost is only attracted to those with a sincere desire to understand Christ.

When we place faith in the teachings of people, the words of men, our faith cannot be in Christ. If this essay challenged what people have taught you and encouraged you to seek understanding through the Holy Ghost then it has achieved it's purpose.

Christ did the same thing with Parables. Parables force people to Consider, to think, to Pray and to seek understanding through the Holy Ghost.

If you seek understanding through the explanations of people, the words of people, you are not seeking Christ.