The Disciples: Jude & Judas Iscariot

Luke 6:13 (NLT)                     

At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles.

Jude or Judas, Son of James, was also known as Thaddeus. The use of both names or saying that he was James’ son was probably to help clarify and set him apart from Judas Iscariot. While the Bible does not talk much about him,  Jude saw numerous demonstrations of Jesus’ divinity. Church history has him being a missionary to Syria and Persia, where he died along side of Simon the Zealot.

Judas Iscariot is notorious for other reasons. He was not from Galilee like all the other disciples, but rather was from Judea. He served as the group’s treasurer, but was known to help himself to the funds, showing his greed when Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume, saying we could have sold it and given to the poor. He betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, which he later regretted and tried to give back. When they refused, he went out and hung himself.

These twelve men all had been with Jesus for nearly 3 years, seeing all the miracles and healings and hearing His teachings. But one chose the love of money over the love of the Master. He heard the truth, but he chose to listen to his own heart. Don’t make that same mistake! Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He reminds you of God’s love, grace and mercy.

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