The Gospel According to Judas by Benjamin Iscariot
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37. When they were alone, Jesus said to Nathanael: Because I said I saw you under a fig tree, do you therefore believe that I am Rabbi, son of God and King of Israel? Much more will be made known to you, and far more will be required of you before God’s promises are fulfilled. For the moment, follow me.
see
John 1:35–51
38. Jesus made it clear to all his disciples that should anyone suggest that Jesus of Nazareth was the expected one, the Messiah, they were to be ignored, even denied.
see
Mark 7:36;
8:30 etc
39. Judas could not understand why his Master would deny his sacred calling.
40. He, like his fellow disciples, therefore continued to ask: Who is this man?
Chapter 6
Your sins are forgiven
1. Jesus, accompanied by his disciples, left Nazareth to return to Capernaum.
2. As he entered the lakeside town, vast crowds gathered around him, despite having told his followers not to talk about his good deeds.
3. Jesus set foot in the Synagogue where he had cured the man possessed of demons, and found another large gathering awaiting him.
4. The building became so crowded with people who wanted to hear Jesus speak that he could hardly move. Many believed that sim
ply by touching him, they would be cured of their ills, even forgiven their sins.
5. One such group, hoping to bring a sick friend to see Jesus, could not even find a way into the building because of the number of people who wanted to put their requests to Jesus.
6. Judas was made aware of the problem they were facing. He advised them to clamber upon to the roof and attempt to lower their pallet down into the Synagogue. He even helped them remove some of the tiles that covered the roof so that they could carry out their purpose.
7. The sight of the paralysed man descending through the roof caused the startled onlookers to draw back.
8. Jesus walked towards the sick man, and on this occasion did not touch him. He simply said: My son, your sins are forgiven.
Mark 2:5;
Matt 9:2;
Luke 5:20
9. One or two of the Elders standing among the crowd were outraged by such blasphemy, and whispered among themselves that Jesus could not be a holy man because: Only God can forgive sins.
Mark 2:7;
Luke 5:21
[xii]
10. When Judas heard these words, he was unable to control his feelings, and shouted above the noise of the crowd, ‘You do not have the courage to say these things in his presence; I say that it is you who are blasphemers.’
11. Jesus ignored the commotion caused by Judas’ outburst, and turning to the paralysed man said: Take up your bed and go home.
Mark 2:11;