Update May 25th 2018 by Randy
Today is the 6th day of the 7th week of seven weeks. Today is the 48th day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath.
Counting
The Acts of the Apostles tells us very little about the 10 days that the 120 disciples waited according to their Master’s instructions, Leilani speaks below about the only incident related to us and really makes me wonder about Judas, the story in Acts sure leads us to think he lost his salvation, all I know for sure is that is not for me to know for sure, every person’s salvation is between them and the Father.
While rereading the chapter in Acts thinking about them waiting and them asking for hints about the future makes me put myself in their shoes, I feel like they must have had an idea that something big might happen the day after Sabbath.
They and Jesus had been doing this 50 day counting their whole lives, getting ready to make the pilgrimage each year. They where right there in Jerusalem, the place where Jehovah chose to place His Name, wathcing the city fill up with believers from all over the known world.
Anticipation
Jesus said, “It is not yours to know times or seasons which the Father placed in His own authority” but I am sure they musta been wondering, hoping.
Original Post May 25th 2012
4 Sivan 31 AD
Peter’s first sermon begins with, the ‘Scripture’ had to be fulfilled. We have very little information on what happened to Judas. In Matt 27 we’re told he had remorse for his betrayal. When Peter heard the cock crow he remembered Jesus telling him he too would betray Him–he went and wept bitterly. Judas was driven to hang himself. Have you ever wondered if he had repented, like Peter did, and not killed himself, would he have been forgiven? By the Apostles and disciples?
At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said, “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. “For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE DWELL IN IT’; and, ‘LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE HIS OFFICE.’ “Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us–beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us–one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. Act 1:15-26
In Acts 1:16 the prophecy Scriptures concerning Judas are Ps 41:9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me. and Ps 55:12-14 For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, Then I could bear it; Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, Then I could hide myself from him. But it is you, a man my equal, My companion and my familiar friend; We who had sweet fellowship together Walked in the house of God in the throng.
When we read the Gospels and the Psalms that tell us that it was not an enemy but a dear friend that betrayed Jesus, and knowing what that betrayal led to–we naturally have no sorrow for Judas, thinking he got what he deserved. However I had never really given much thought to Judas’ family or his legacy. If we believe that the Scriptures were fulfilled about Judas, we would have to believe what was prophesied about his family too—wouldn’t we?
In Acts 1:20 the prophecy Scripture concerns the betrayers family and his legacy. Psa 109:9-15 Let his children be fatherless And his wife a widow. Let his children wander about and beg; And let them seek sustenance far from their ruined homes. Let the creditor seize all that he has, And let strangers plunder the product of his labor. Let there be none to extend lovingkindness to him, Nor any to be gracious to his fatherless children. Let his posterity be cut off; In a following generation let their name be blotted out. Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD, And do not let the sin of his mother be blotted out. Let them be before the LORD continually, That He may cut off their memory from the earth…
The Kiss of Judas, by Giotto di Bondone
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