The Gospel According to Judas by Benjamin Iscariot by Jeffrey Archer Read Free Book Online Page A

who lived in the surrounding countries.
    21. Judas had been taught to believe that during that time Israel was in true communion with God. He hoped and expected Jesus would restore that enviable position.
    22. Had not Solomon sung in tribute to a great king:
    Long may he live!
    May gold of Sheba be given to him .
    May prayer be made for him continually ,
    and blessings invoked for him all day long .
    May there be an abundance of grain in the land;
    may it wave on the tops of the mountains;
    may its fruits be like Lebanon;
    and may people flourish in the cities
    like the grass in the field .
    May his name endure forever ,
    his fame continue as long as the sun .
    May all nations be blessed in him;
    And the whole earth be filled with his glory .
    Psalm 72:15–17
for Solomon
    23. Judas was in despair as the rich young man walked away.
    24. The rich young man’s only response: You have chosen to follow a dangerous man, who will lead to the fall of many in Israel .
    see
Luke 2:34

Chapter 14
You are people of little faith
    1. As Jesus’ bedraggled band of followers drifted south towards Jericho, Judas warned Peter that the coffers were running low and that the Master should be informed.
    2. Peter refused to pass on such bad news and told Judas to carry out the Master’s bidding without question.
    3. Although Judas was in despair his spirits were raised once again when Jesus was approached by a generous and devout Scribe, skilled in the interpretation of the laws of Israel. He said to Jesus: Master, I will follow you wherever you go .
    4. But Jesus said: Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head .
    see
Matt 8:19–20;
Luke 9:57–58
    5. The Scribe was not able to comprehend what Jesus meant by this reference to the ‘Son of Man’, and departed that place.
    6. Another came to Jesus and said: I wish to follow you, but first I must return to Galilee and bury my father .
    7. Judas was astonished when the Master said: Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their dead .
    see
Matt 8:21–22
    8. Everyone who heard these words knew that it was a sacred duty for any son of Israel to bury his father, as the family is the centre of Jewish life and the father its head.
    9. The man left Jesus and departed for Galilee.
    10. Judas demanded of Peter: ‘Did not Moses include among theTen Commandments passed down by God at Sinai: Honour your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land that YHWH your God is giving you ?’
    Exo 20:12
    11. But Peter ignored him, and continued to remind his fellow disciples of the true meaning of Jesus’ warning, Get behind me, Satan , which only made Judas more fearful.
    12. Jesus, aware of what was passing through their minds, gathered the disciples together and said: Why are you afraid? You are people of little faith .
    see
Matt 8:26;
see
Mark 4:40–41;
Luke 8:25
    13. Judas could not understand why Jesus was challenging them in this manner; had they not proved their commitment a thousand-fold? Had they ever questioned his authority?
    14. By the evening of the third day, Jesus and his followers had reached the slopes of Mount Tabor, and were preparing to rest before nightfall.
    [xxiv]
    15. Judas was distributing food and blankets in preparation for the cold night ahead, when he saw Jesus take Peter, James and John to one side.
    see
Matt 17:1
    16. Without explanation, the four of them began to ascend the long, steep slope up the mountain.
    17. Judas and the other disciples fell asleep, and did not wake again until dawn, when they found Jesus walking among them. He said: Let us rest a little longer, before we set out on the next part of our journey .
    see
Mark 6:31
    18. Judas observed that Peter, James and John were whispering among themselves.
    19. He approached Peter and said: ‘What took place when you were with Jesus on the mountain?’
    20. Peter was unable to hide his joy, and although