Greetings Dear Reader,
In case you have missed it, my next work of fiction, The Judas Scroll will be out November 5, 2021. You can email me to preorder a signed first edition at the link above until October 20, 2021 (aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com). It is the next novel in The Jesus Cycle which includes, The Foster Father of God, Magi: The Gift Bearers, and The Praetor. What I wish to do is address some of the historical background leading up to it.
The important thing to see here is Judas as a functional member of the twelve. Matthew 10 goes as far as to list him even with the epithet.
“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirit and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”
It is vital to see how deeply all twelve apostles are included in the mission here. Judas is seen as one of them receiving the power to drive out spirits and heal others. He is given the authority to speak as a representative of Messiah. No matter what your conclusions about him later, until Holy Week he is fully vested as one of the twelve original followers of Jesus. This will matter greatly in our later considerations. Until we get to them, we must all give Judas his rightful place as a working follower of Jesus with all the rights and duties associated with Peter, James, and John at this time.
Of further importance in this passage, included in all four Gospels is to note the obedience of each of the disciples. When they return, they have all participated in the task and used the power given them. Imagine what this does to the heart and mind of a Zealot yearning for Messiah to establish his Kingdom and end all suffering of his people. Put yourself in the sandals of one filled with the desire for the King to rule, experience his power, and live his journey through Judea using the authority given him by the living embodiment of all he has hoped for. Then tell me he simply chose to give it all away one day for some money.
We are all guilty of pushing God’s agenda for our own purposes. I am merely asking you to be honest and look at Judas without the filters history asks us to adopt. This discussion will intensify over the next couple of months. I have had some harsh emails from some of you. I understand your feelings but it is your filters and not the truth pushing you. Take a moment to love the Father enough to love Judas as he does. Keep asking questions and sharing your thoughts. I promise to answer you as best I can, Dear Reader.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every
writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a
homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure
store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.
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Thorn:
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Judas was given the power and authority Jesus gave to all
twelve disciples.
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