He healed the sick. He preached the Gospel. He saw the face of God....
Art Beyond Subjectivity@JScotteswood
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Feb 06, 2026
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He healed the sick.
He preached the Gospel.
He saw the face of God.
And he betrayed Him with a kiss.
This is the story of Judas Iscariot, and the terrifying truth most people ignore: 🧵👇
He preached the Gospel.
He saw the face of God.
And he betrayed Him with a kiss.
This is the story of Judas Iscariot, and the terrifying truth most people ignore: 🧵👇
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He wasn't just a villain in the shadows.
Judas was one of the Twelve.
Handpicked. Empowered. Trusted.
He failed, but
— Peter denied. The others fled.
What makes Judas different... is what came next.
Judas was one of the Twelve.
Handpicked. Empowered. Trusted.
He failed, but
— Peter denied. The others fled.
What makes Judas different... is what came next.
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Judas was an outsider.
Not from Galilee like the rest.
"Iscariot" likely means "man of Kerioth," a town in Judea.
Among fishermen and peasants, he stood apart.
The one they didn't quite understand.
Not from Galilee like the rest.
"Iscariot" likely means "man of Kerioth," a town in Judea.
Among fishermen and peasants, he stood apart.
The one they didn't quite understand.
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Jesus didn't choose him by accident.
"And Judas Iscariot... who became a traitor." (Luke 6:16)
He wasn't always a traitor.
He became one.
Jesus didn't choose him by accident.
"And Judas Iscariot... who became a traitor." (Luke 6:16)
He wasn't always a traitor.
He became one.
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Judas performed miracles.
Cast out demons. Healed the sick.
He wasn't dead weight.
He was part of the mission.
“Then he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” (Luke 9:2)
Cast out demons. Healed the sick.
He wasn't dead weight.
He was part of the mission.
“Then he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” (Luke 9:2)
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He held the money bag.
And he stole from it.
"Used to steal what was put into it." (John 12:6)
Jesus knew.
But didn't stop him.
And he stole from it.
"Used to steal what was put into it." (John 12:6)
Jesus knew.
But didn't stop him.
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Then came the Last Supper.
Jesus knelt. Washed feet. Including his.
Then whispered:
— "What you are about to do, do quickly." (John 13:27)
That moment, Satan entered him.
Jesus knelt. Washed feet. Including his.
Then whispered:
— "What you are about to do, do quickly." (John 13:27)
That moment, Satan entered him.
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Judas left into the night.
"And it was night." (John 13:30)
It's more than a time stamp.
It's a spiritual condition.
He walked into the dark-and never returned.
"And it was night." (John 13:30)
It's more than a time stamp.
It's a spiritual condition.
He walked into the dark-and never returned.
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He didn't send soldiers.
He led them.
He knew exactly where Jesus prayed.
— He brought the mob.
He led them.
He knew exactly where Jesus prayed.
— He brought the mob.
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The kiss wasn't affection.
It was mockery.
"Greetings, Rabbi!"
Jesus: "Friend, do what you came for." (Matt 26:50).
No fire from heaven. No resistance.
Just betrayal.
It was mockery.
"Greetings, Rabbi!"
Jesus: "Friend, do what you came for." (Matt 26:50).
No fire from heaven. No resistance.
Just betrayal.
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He tried to undo it.
Brought back the silver.
"I have sinned," he said.
But the priests didn't care.
So he threw the coins, left the temple, and hanged himself. (Matt 27:5)
Brought back the silver.
"I have sinned," he said.
But the priests didn't care.
So he threw the coins, left the temple, and hanged himself. (Matt 27:5)
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Acts gives another detail:
He fell and burst open in a field. (Acts 1:18)
Two stories. One fate.
Violent. Final. Alone.
He fell and burst open in a field. (Acts 1:18)
Two stories. One fate.
Violent. Final. Alone.
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Pope Benedict XVI:
— "We do not have the right to judge him."
Pope Francis:
— "Perhaps his greatest sin wasn't the betrayal-it was despair."
Judas couldn't believe grace still applied to him.
— "We do not have the right to judge him."
Pope Francis:
— "Perhaps his greatest sin wasn't the betrayal-it was despair."
Judas couldn't believe grace still applied to him.
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Judas saw the face of God.
Ate with Him. Walked beside Him.
And still-he fell.
Not because he was doomed.
But because he gave up on mercy.
That should terrify us more than any betrayal.
Ate with Him. Walked beside Him.
And still-he fell.
Not because he was doomed.
But because he gave up on mercy.
That should terrify us more than any betrayal.
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If you want more stories that confront history, scripture, and the human soul—follow @JScotteswood.
Sources:
– Vatican.va
– “Jesus of Nazareth” (Benedict XVI)
– Francis, 2022 Homily
– Yale Divinity School
– ESV, RSV Bibles
– Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent)
– USCCB Bible
cruxnow.com/church/2014/10…
vatican.va/content/benedi…
Sources:
– Vatican.va
– “Jesus of Nazareth” (Benedict XVI)
– Francis, 2022 Homily
– Yale Divinity School
– ESV, RSV Bibles
– Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent)
– USCCB Bible
cruxnow.com/church/2014/10…
vatican.va/content/benedi…
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It’s for us: 👇
Pope: Bento XVI: St Benedict says at the end of the fundamental Chapter Five of his "Rule": "Never despair of God's mercy". In fact, God "is greater than our hearts", as St John says (I Jn 3: 20)
vatican.va/content/benedi…
Pope: Bento XVI: St Benedict says at the end of the fundamental Chapter Five of his "Rule": "Never despair of God's mercy". In fact, God "is greater than our hearts", as St John says (I Jn 3: 20)
vatican.va/content/benedi…