04-24-2011, 01:24 PM
Thanks for the conversation. I enjoy it a lot. One teeny correction, though: back in post 34, Spectrum mentions Judas' denying JC three times. I thought that was another of the group, perhaps Peter. I think he denied Jesus three times out of simple fear--"Moi? I know nothing! I can't help you there."
About JC's foretelling the future, my thinking is that, just as he had a glimpse (or better) of the future, he also had a sensing of what he could say about it without disturbing the distortions very much. The scripture, written much later, gives him the image of adeptness that he also, in my view, must have accepted.
Maybe as he became determined to play out his execution, he gained this new perceptive ability, although just as likely he had it all along.
I vaguely remember reading an explanation of Judas' kiss. It said, I think, that under Jewish law a Jew who wishes to accuse a lawbreaker must clearly identify the person rather than just hint that somebody is up to something; thus the kiss. Also, law requires the person to accept a reward of those pieces of silver, no choice. Judas tossed them away because he didn't want or need the money.
I agree that Judas was swept up by an STS influence, but as we have no record of his wanting to be an STS master himself, he probably bumbled with his effort of forcing JC to seize power, not with any sinister intent. Unless, of course, he hoped that afterward JC would hand him over some of that power. That may have crossed his mind, I guess.
About JC's foretelling the future, my thinking is that, just as he had a glimpse (or better) of the future, he also had a sensing of what he could say about it without disturbing the distortions very much. The scripture, written much later, gives him the image of adeptness that he also, in my view, must have accepted.
Maybe as he became determined to play out his execution, he gained this new perceptive ability, although just as likely he had it all along.
I vaguely remember reading an explanation of Judas' kiss. It said, I think, that under Jewish law a Jew who wishes to accuse a lawbreaker must clearly identify the person rather than just hint that somebody is up to something; thus the kiss. Also, law requires the person to accept a reward of those pieces of silver, no choice. Judas tossed them away because he didn't want or need the money.
I agree that Judas was swept up by an STS influence, but as we have no record of his wanting to be an STS master himself, he probably bumbled with his effort of forcing JC to seize power, not with any sinister intent. Unless, of course, he hoped that afterward JC would hand him over some of that power. That may have crossed his mind, I guess.