Jesus purposely chooses a traitor

Jesus purposely chooses a traitor   Mat 10: 2-4 The names of the twelve apostles are these ... and Judas Iscariot, who also gave him. Lesson: At one time, the small town of Queriyot-Hezron was a relatively dark town in Judea, but all that changed when it produced the most hated man that ever lived: Judas Iscariot. The first mention of Judas is here on the list of Matthew's disciples. We have no information about his call, but we know that Jesus called him along with the others, and still gave him the authority to minister in a miraculous way (Matt 10: 1) His first name: Judas, is despised today but it was a very name common in the times of Christ. It is the Greek form of Judah, the land of God's people. Iscariot literally means man from the city of Queriyot. People commonly ask why Jesus would choose such a man to be His disciple. Didn't he know how things were going to turn out? I did know, and that is precisely why he chose it. The Old Testament says that the Messiah would be betrayed by a family friend for thirty pieces of silver, and Jesus knew that Judas was that man (John 17:12) Some people feel sorry for Judas, thinking that he was simply wrong or that he was used as a kind of pawn in a supernatural drama over which he had no control. But Judas did what he did by choice. Jesus repeatedly gave him opportunities to repent but refused. Finally, Satan used it in a diabolical attempt to destroy Jesus and thwart God's plan of salvation. His attempt, however, failed, because God used even Judas to accomplish His purposes. No doubt there are people in your life who want to harm you. Do not be discouraged. They are also part of God's plan for you as well as those who treat you kindly. You must reach them just as Jesus did with Judas. God knows what he is doing. Trust Him and rejoice to see His purposes fulfilled even through your enemies. By John MacArthur