Journal: Chafer Theological Seminary Journal
Volume: CTSJ 03:1 (Summer 1997)
Article: Judas
Author: George E. Meisinger

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CTSJ 3:1 (Summer 1997) p. 2

Judas

George E. Meisinger*

Chafer Theological Seminary

[*Editor's note: George E. Meisinger is dean of Chafer Theological Seminary, as well as teaching in the Old and New Testament departments. He earned his B.A. from Biola University, a Th.M. in Old Testament Literature and Exegesis from Dallas Theological Seminary, a D.Min. in Biblical Studies from Western Seminary, and presently pursues a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology. Dr. Meisinger also pastors Grace Church in Orange, California.]

Introduction

Don Richardson wrote a book that I encourage everyone to read. The title is Peace Child1 and is the story of his missionary labors among a tribe in Papua New Guinea.

When Richardson had finally learned their language, there came a day when he had opportunity to tell them the Gospel. He started with Christ’s miraculous birth, His life and ministry, and then proceeded to the end of Jesus’ time on earth.

He set the stage talking about how Jesus made His final journey to Jerusalem, the incredible reception of the people on Palm Sunday, then the treachery of Judas who worked behind the scenes to betray Jesus to death. To his amazement, when he finished telling them about the traitor, the people showed complete delight in Judas. Richardson was appalled at their reaction.

He discovered that the highest virtue in their culture was deceit—and Judas was the greatest example of deceit about which they had heard. Here was a man who successfully betrayed to the death a great and good man, thus Judas became their instant hero. It was obvious to Richardson that he had his work cut out for him to evangelize this tribe. You need to read the book to discover the beginning and end of this incredible and true missionary story.

The Men named “Judas”

Judas was a common first century name. In fact, there are eight mentioned in the New Testament:

(1) Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus and one of the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:4);

(2) Judas the son of James, and one of the twelve apostles (Luke 6:16);

(3) Judas, a brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55);

(4) Judas, Paul’s host in Damascus (Acts 9:11);

(5) Judas, called Barsabbas, a leading

CTSJ 3:1 (Summer 1997) p. 3

Christian in Jerusalem and a companion of Paul (...

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