His name was Judas. (In John) He was one of the twelve disciples. He was not the Judas who betrayed Jesus to the High Priest. He actually had three names. He also was Thaddaeus (In Mark) and also Lebbaeus. (In Matthew) He has one line in Scripture. It was during the last supper on Thursday night before the cross. Jesus said, “He that hath my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”
Here comes his one line. “Judas said unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself unto us, and not unto the world?”
And here is Jesus’ answer. “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
We know this Judas (Thaddaeus, Lebbaeus) was a member of a political action group dedicated to the overthrow of Roman rule in Palestine. He loved Jesus. He knew what Jesus could do and wanted to know why Jesus didn’t use all His power to go after the Romans. Jesus had bigger plans. Jesus was going after Satan’s rule in all the world. And this is Jesus’ formula for victory. Love Him. Keep His words and the Father and Son will abide in that person and that person will manifest the glory of God to the world. That’s us. This is our task. This is our time. This is God’s plan for us. Love Jesus and keep His words and be amazed at what God can and will do with us. Satan trembles before such a man or woman.
Written by Roger Bothwell on November 2, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org