“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, saying, ‘I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.’ And they said, ‘What is that to us? See thou to that.’ And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, ‘It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.’ And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.
Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
‘And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.’ ” Matthew 27:3-10
Judas
Do You Think That I Cannot Now Pray?
“Then said Jesus unto him, ‘Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?’” Matthew 26:52-54 (KJB)
These words of Jesus were spoken following the betrayal by Judas Iscariot, and Peter had taken his sword to defend his Lord Jesus Christ. Peter was eager to defend him in the heat of the moment.
Do we hear Jesus’s words “Do you think that I cannot now pray…?” Do we get it? My thought is, “Why call for the angels? Just speak a word and they all would fall away.” But that would not fulfill the Scriptures either.
He was going to be crucified because that is why He came. He came to be the Lamb without spot or blemish; to be the sin offering for the sins of the world. In Jesus Christ, His life, His death, His burial, and His bodily resurrection He fulfilled the demands of the Law; the Scriptures; and the will of His Father.
He could have called 12 legions of angels… but He did not. He loves you and me so much He gave.
Observations From John – 040111
Looking at the final three chapters of John we see much about our Lord and Savior and His first coming. He has come to the final day of His life as man among men. It is not a pleasant day for Him, nor would it be for you or me. He stands before Pilate, the governor of Jerusalem and Israel.
He is being tried for blasphemy against GOD. Those who claimed to know the word of God know not the Word of GOD. If they would have known Him they would not have Him on trial; rather they would be worshipping Him who alone is worthy of all human worship, and that of all creation.
In chapter nineteen Jesus says to Pilate,
“Thou couldest have no power at all against Me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered Me unto thee hath the greater sin.” John 19:11 (KJV)
The one who delivered Jesus to Pilate was Judas, and He is the betrayer. Pilate may have thought that his power and authority came from Rome, but Rome and all governments of men receive their authority from GOD who gives it, and places men in positions as it pleases Him. Jesus, of course, knows this because He is the Creator of all that is (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16).
We see that Pilate seeks to release Jesus (19:12), the religious leaders and the mob will not hear of it, and want Jesus crucified. Pilate even refers to Jesus as king, saying “Shall I crucify your King?” The religious leaders response was, “We have no king but Caesar.” In saying this they betrayed and denied not only Jesus but the very heart of Scripture, and its promises to the Jews.
The Scriptures were fulfilled in the death of Jesus. The Scriptures tell us that not a bone would be broken (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12) when they found Him to have already died. Upon the declaration of His death Joseph of Arimathaea comes and request the body of Jesus for burial in his own prepared tomb. We find that tomb in a garden. It was in a garden where man first sinned. It was in a garden where Jesus prayed. It was in a garden where Jesus was buried. It will be in a garden where we will see the Tree of Life one day.
Upon the death of Jesus His followers are weeping, sorrowful, and confused; not knowing what to do. They go to the tomb on Sunday morning, and find it empty with the stone rolled away (20:1-2). Mary sees Him, and thinks Him the gardener until He calls her by name, “Mary” (20:16), then she calls Him “Master”
Jesus appears to the disciples and speaks, “Peace be unto you.” He shows them His hands and His side revealing that it is truly the risen Lord. Thomas doubts when he hears the Lord is risen; however, when he sees Jesus he says, “My Lord and my God.”
Thomas believes because he has seen the resurrected Jesus. Jesus gives a wonderful blessing to those who believe though they have not seen Him, when He declares,
“Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” John 20:29
Since that day, there is only one recorded account of one seeing the resurrected Christ, and that was Paul the apostle, who was Saul the persecutor at the time of the revelation of Christ to Him. No one who believes in Christ today has seen the physical, bodily raised person of Christ. Not seeing we have believed, therefore Jesus says that we are blessed.
Peter is asked three times, by Jesus, “Do you love Me?” each time in a different sense. It could be that Jesus is confirming his faith, because he had denied Jesus three times. Peter is given responsibility for shepherding the sheep of Christ which is a responsibility given to every Christian who will love Jesus and grow in Him.
When we recognize Jesus for who He is, and not what others say He is or what others prefer Him to be, then we too will say “Jesus is the Christ; Son of the Living God”.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
“And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. 45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. 46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him. 47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. 50 And they all forsook him, and fled. 51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: 52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.” Mark 14:43-52
Judas goes about doing his dirty, dispicable, dastardly deed. He betrays Jesus with the highest symbol of friendship in that society. This kiss was the way best of friends greeted one another, but Judas’s was an act of hypocrisy, betrayal.
They come with a large mob, to take the one who offered nothing to them except peace, hope, love, mercy, grace, and joy. They came as though He were a murderer, or a thief. The real thief was leading the way, and betraying the Master.
The lowly, miserable, sinful, unclean, wicked, deceitful, betraying, mob took hold of the sinless, perfect, holy, just, righteous, Son of God to take Him to a “trial” and then to take His life.
Peter’s response was to take the sword and attack, which he did and cut off the ear of a servant to the “High priest”. Other Gospel accounts tell us that Jesus healed this man’s ear (Luke 22:50-51). Peter was brave, but at a time when it was not necessary to act so brashly and without thought, but then, this was the character of Peter.
Jesus was always for the fulfillment of Scripture. In order for Him to be the true Christ [Messiah of Israel] all Scripture must be fulfilled. Not one “jot” or “Tittle” could go unperformed. God does not leave anything undone which He has spoken, nor will His Son. Jesus’s life, work, death and resurrection fulfill all Scriptures concerning Him and those events. Not one thing has been left undone. Just as the Scriptures had declared, and Jesus had said Himself all the disciples fled for their lives.
There is a young man, who is not identified, in the garden, and he flees without any garment. This “Young man” has been thought by some to have been John Mark – the writer of this Gospel. I see no problem believing that. Mark not wanting to draw any great attention to himself just identifies himself as a “Young man” who flees from the mob. He may have been hiding in the trees and rocks, looking onto the events of Jesus and His disciples, and was there when the mob came to take Jesus away.
Do we often try to hide when conflict comes? Jesus was willing to face the shame of the cross for our sins, and He willingly offered Himself for our sins.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Lamb Of God Celebrating Passover
“And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, His disciples said unto Him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? 13 And He sendeth forth two of His disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with My disciples? 15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. 16 And His disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as He had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 17 And in the evening He cometh with the twelve. 18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with Me shall betray Me. 19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto Him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? 20 And He answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with Me in the dish. 21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of Him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born. 22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is My body. 23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, He gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24 And He said unto them, This is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. 25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. 26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. 29 But Peter said unto Him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice. 31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with Thee, I will not deny Thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.” Mark 14:12-31 (KJV)
Because it is drawing near to the evening of the Passover and feast of unleavened bread Jesus gives direction to two of His disciples on how to search for that place. Whether the Lord had prearranged the event or not is not the question, though I personally do not believe that Jesus had it prearranged except through the Father.
Everything worked out just as Jesus had said. Now we have the True Passover Lamb being prepared and preparing His disciples for the hours which lie ahead. Ever since the deliverance of Israel from Egypt following the night of the Passover this event was prophetic of the True Lamb who would one day come to deliver mankind from sins bondage. Just as the Passover lamb in Egypt died to deliver Israel from death, so too, the Son of God the Perfect Lamb, must die to deliver us from our sins. It is quite fitting that it would be on the evening of the annual event remembering the deliverance from the land of bondage.
At this Passover meal Jesus tells His disciples that one of them will betray Him, and they will all flee from Him. At the Passover meal they wonder, “Who is it?” They even ask “Is it I?’ Even Judas to cover himself asked the question. It seems to me that it would be proper to say that Judas was not present when the Lord instituted the “Lord’s Supper”. According to John’s Gospel there is a place where Jesus said, “What you do do quickly…” and “…having received the sop went immediately out:…” (Read John 13:27-30). The “Sop” would have been a piece of the unleavened bread from the “Passover meal” not that of what was the “Lord’s Supper”; that came shortly after Judas went to do his devious act of betrayal.
All we know of Judas is what we find of him in the Gospels. He was the “Treasurer” for Jesus and His disciples (John 12:6). We know he had equal access to the presence of Jesus as the other disciples. He could have sought forgiveness for his treachery of betrayal, but instead he went out and hanged himself. He could have taken part in the Lord’s Supper, but chose rather to go and betray his Master. He slid into Hell from a church pew. He did these things on one of the most holy weeks of the year for the Hebrew people. He chose to betray and kill the only One who gave them hope. By the death of the Lamb of God there was cleansing, forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, and restoration, justification, sanctification, and there will be glorification.
As Jesus and the eleven disciples were on the Mount of Olives he tells them they will all be offended and flee. Peter says, “Though all may be offended, yet, I will not be.” Because of his brash denial of Jesus’s words to all of them Jesus warns Peter that he will deny Him three times. All of these events happened on Passover evening. The true Lamb of God [Jesus] is about to be put to the slaughter.
During the time of the Passover meal Jesus prepares His disciples for the hours ahead. They are yet about unaware of what is to come.
In verse 25 we have Jesus’ promise that He will see the disciples in His Kingdom; showing us that there is a coming Kingdom of Jesus Christ. It is a great promise. Jesus also says, “…After that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee”. That of course saying that He will not only meet them there, because He would see them before they see Him in Galilee, but He would reveal Himself to a far greater populace of people, “He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once…” (1 Corinthians 15:6). We also have His assurace that wherever we go for His glory He will go before us in leading. If He is not leading the way will not be open.
In having the Passover meal with His disciples Jesus was forming a bond and strength in them to help them through what lay ahead. Peter would realize that His Lord did not make empty promises or vile statements. He would learn to keep his mouth shut at His Lord’s word. Peter would also learn of the Lord’s great forgiveness, and would bow at the Lord’s resurrected feet.
As the first Passover lamb was killed to provide blood for the doorposts and lintels of every home of the Hebrews and deliver them from the “Death angel”, the blood of Jesus Christ delivers all who are under His blood. Life is in the blood. The shed blood of Jesus gives life to all who are dead in sin, if they will but look to Him.
-Tim A. Blankenship
At What Price???
10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
This text goes from one who, “Has done what she could”; to one who “takes all he can”, and gives nothing in return. The Gospel of John calls him a “Thief” (John 12:6). It is quite the contrast. On which side do we stand? On the side of giving all to Jesus; or taking all we can for self.
Notice the path of the betrayer. It was not an accident it was a planned, purposeful, plot for material gain. Judas went to the “Chief priests, to betray Him unto them”. He went to them. They did not come to him with words of deception, or a scheme to try and trick Judas into betrayal. It was in Judas’s heart. Then after they had received his offer he sought for a way to set it up – “he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.” (v. 11). Is this the heart of one who really loves Jesus? Is this the act of one who really believes in Him? I think not.
Some may think of Peter and his denial of Jesus, but Peter did not plan, or purposely plot to deny Jesus. When Judas betrayed Jesus did he seek forgiveness and repent of his action? No! He was sorry for what he did, but did not seek the cleansing of forgiveness, rather, the Gospel of Matthew and the book of Acts tells us he went and hanged himself (Matthew 27:3-5; Acts 1 17-19), and went to his own place. Peter sought the Lord’s forgiveness for His act.
The woman in verses 3 – 9 sought how best to serve her Lord. Judas sought how best to serve himself. Which one sought rightly? Which one will receive the Lords blessing, and reward? Which one will spend eternity in Hell? It is evident to those who know the Lord.
What is the worth of your soul? What is the worth of Jesus Christ to you?
-Tim A. Blankenship
I Kept Them In Thy Name
This prayer of Jesus’s is the most beautiful and majestic of Scriptures. It must be because it is prayed by our Maker.
Jesus continues praying as though He has finished the task for which He came to do, and that was always to do the Father’s will, and all the way to the cross of His death. He prays,
“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy name: those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” John 17:12 (KJV)
Jesus’s prayer is as though His work is finished; past tense. “While I was with them”, and He has not gone to the cross yet. He prays as though it was already done. The gift of salvation, grace, mercy, is as good as finished, because He asked for it. He has kept and will keep.
There is one exception. One has been lost, and that is the “son of perdition” – the son of wickedness; the son of the devil. And, this was so that Scripture might be fulfilled.
You and I can rest assured today that all Scripture either has been fulfilled, is being fulfilled, or will be fulfilled concerning you and me. We need never fear that anything will ever take us out of the Father’s hands, when we are in the way of the Lord Jesus Christ, ie., His death, burial and resurrection.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Preach The Word
“And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: And Simon he surnamed Peter; And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.” Mark 3:13-19 (KJV)
Jesus called these twelve men “Apostles” and gave them authority to heal the sick, cast out demons, and to preach the Word of the kingdom. The twelve men are mentioned by name even to the one who would ultimately betray Jesus, and point Him out to be crucified. Simon [called Peter] would also deny Him and would be very grievous concerning the denial.
The authority Jesus gave to the apostles is given to the church today. The signs and wonders given to the apostles were necessary to give evidence and proof that these men were speaking the truth of God. We do not need the proof. The written Word of God is all the evidence and proof that we need. We only need to read it, study it, apply it, and hide it in our hearts to show the world that Jesus Christ does make a difference. Because He lives.
Called out, set apart for the purpose of glorifying Jesus Christ, and bringing all who will hear to the place of joyfully bowing before Him.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 