Daily Bible Reading Philippians 1:19-23
Philippians 1:12-18
Philippians 1:1-11
Betrayal: Who Really Was Responsible For Christ’s Death 1
Betrayal: the very word stirs up negative emotions within our hearts. Its meaning goes against every ideal we hold dear whether it be as a husband, as a father, as a citizen or as a friend. Perhaps the greatest betrayal of all is the betrayal of Jesus Christ recorded for us in Scripture.
But who really was responsible for Christ’s betrayal? This question has been the source of great controversy down through the centuries. In the Bible, the word betrayal is translated from the Greek word paradidomi (pronounced par-ad-id’-o-mee). It is the overwhelming use of the word in the New Testament. In relation to Christ’s crucifixion, the Bible uses this Greek word to describe the decisions of several people or groups of people. Although each had a part in the responsibility of Christ’s death, the Bible also tells us definitively who really was responsible.
As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is good to be reminded of the role each played in His death. One of the darkest aspects of Christ’s death was His betrayal. It was pictured in the betrayal of Joseph by his brethren, prophesied of by many of the Old Testament prophets (see Zechariah 11:12-13 & Psalm 41:9), and promised by the Savior Himself:
And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men. Matthew 17:22
The Accusation
The Greek word for betrayed in this verse comes from paradidomi. Although the word is used over 120 times in the New Testament, the overwhelming majority is used in connection with Christ’s death. It means to deliver up into the hands of another; to betray; and it used by God to place responsibility on those who were responsible for delivering up Christ to the cross. It is evident that part of the suffering and humiliation of Christ’s atonement was meant to include betrayal. But who does the Bible lay responsibility on for this betrayal and who really was responsible for Christ’s death?
The Question of Guilt
This question has been hotly debated throughout the centuries since. Some blame Judas exclusively. Others have laid blame on the Jews for their involvement, even going as far as persecuting today’s generation for the actions of people two thousand years ago. Some say we all had a hand in it since we have willfully sinned.
The Great Betrayal
The Bible uses the word paradidomi of several people and groups of people in relation to the betrayal involved with Christ’s crucifixion. Some of them are well known; others might surprise you. But the Bible also clearly tells us who ultimately was responsible for the death of Christ – in other words – The Greatest Betrayal.
On Trial
And so, for the next few weeks, we are going to put each party on the stand and the Bible will be our chief witness. We will examine exactly how much responsibility each party had in the crime and what their motivation was behind their actions. Ultimately, we will determine who was guilty of the greatest betrayal and what the motivation could possibly be for such a deed.
On the stand next week: Judas Iscariot
Nautical Terms & The Epistle of James
The Proverbs of the NT
Many have called the Epistle of James the “Proverbs” of the New Testament. One reason is because of the practical teaching found in its chapters. Another reason is because of its frequent use of natural illustrations and human interaction as a vehicle for spiritual truth. One such example is the nautical terminology found throughout the the Epistle of James.
One key verse in the first chapter of this epistle reads:
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17
The Keystone Verse
This verse is often called the keystone verse of the epistle. For those not familiar with term keystone, it refers to the stone central to holding together a bridge or archway. I know this because my wife is from Pennsylvania, The Keystone State. James 1:17 is called the keystone verse because it holds everything in chapter 1 together. And how does James tie it all together? By using several nautical references to the ancient art of navigation in this one verse alone. The stars, with their fixed points in the sky, provide guidance and consistency by which ancient sea vessels could navigate the waters. Essentially, James was helping his audience navigate successfully through their immediate storms of persecution and suffering. This was his object for writing – the illustration, i.e. the nautical terminology, was the vehicle.
Ship Ahoy!
And this was not the only time James uses such terminology in his epistle. He references the waves of the sea being driven and tossed. He commands “Do not err,” a term meaning “to drift away.” He reminds that the untamed tongue is like a ship without a rudder. The language of the epistle is so descriptive that, if your not careful while reading, you might imagine yourself on one of those ancient ships – on the Sea of Galilee – during a storm.
Then again, maybe that is exactly what James had intended all along for these early Christian disciples. He would have learned it from the best Teacher of all!
Just, Like His Father
James, Joseph & Jesus
James, the author of this epistle, was someone very familiar with the Lord Jesus Christ. Being the eldest son of Joseph, he grew up in the same household as Jesus. The Scriptures tell us very little about Joseph, James’ father. What little we know comes from the very first Christmas.
The First Christmas
In the account of Christ’s birth, Joseph is described as a just man (Matthew 1:19); the Greek word dikaios is translated both as righteous and as just. Today, the term just is used almost exclusively to describe someone’s decision making i.e. a just judge. Throughout the Christmas story, Joseph consistently made the right choices no matter how hard or difficult the decision was. He was willing to treat Mary respectfully even though appearances looked bad; he decided to take her as his wife knowing full well what others would say and think; he relocated to Bethlehem and then again to Egypt. Time after time, Joseph made one just decision after another.
Like Father, Like Son
The same can be said of his son James as well. He was known throughout Jerusalem as a righteous and devout man. Many called him James the Just. Historians tell us that when forced by the high priests to renounce Christ as the Messiah in front of the large crowds that had gathered for the Passover, James refused, deciding to use the opportunity to reaffirm his faith in the Lord Jesus as the Messiah. It led to his martyrdom – another right decision in the face of difficult circumstances – just like his father. I guess you can say that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
James the Just Bible Info-graphic
Our James the Just Bible info-graphic is available as a free download here:
Living Sacrifices
Romans 12:1 says:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Three Wonders of Heaven
Christ, Our Substitution
The following quote is from The Cross of Christ by John Stott:
Divine love triumphed over divine wrath by divine self-sacrifice. The cross was an act simultaneously of punishment and amnesty, severity and grace, justice and mercy. Page 159
First Bible Info Graphic!
I am excited to announce the completion of our first Bible Info Graphic. It is the first in our Journey Through James series. You can view the info graphic by clicking on the link below. We plan to make all of our info graphics available for free on our website. Until then, stay tuned!
Download James the Author Infographic
