The Master and his apostles lived communally and pooled their resources. Most are surprised to learn that it was Judas Iscariot who was treasurer and worked tirelessly to handle the groups financial details. Most of the men in the group had wives back at home and money needed to be sent to them on a regular basis. The group did what they could to earn money by fishing and other trades. They also received items and cash donations from sponsors and well-wishers along the way. These items could be sold and this money was distributed throughout the Master's organization and to the poorest of the poor by way of the twelve apostles.This would naturally include a stipend for the wives and children of the apostles and other full time workers in the movement who were working away from home.
It would not seem very right if the apostles had just up and left their families high and dry as they went off to follow their Lord. They would have been the primary provider for their individual families. This could not change if they were to be virtuous men. So each of the apostles each had a function within the group that led to the support of the total organization. This organization would naturally include the families as well. And believe it or not it was Judas Iscariot that was in charge of making sure that all the individuals were taken care of especially wives and children of the twelve back home.
It is clear that Judas Iscariot was trying to manipulate his master into action expected of the Jewish messiah. That is to deliver the Jews from their oppressors. Of course Judas believed that to be Rome, but the Master knew the oppressor to be sin. Judas wanted the Master to act violently and miraculously against their evil pagan overlords and send Rome packing from the promised land and to send a signal to all the world’s thrones that Israel belonged to the Jews and the God of Israel was and is, and will forever be, the only One True God.
The Master knew that the evil overlords holding this sanctified city was Satan and his demons not Rome with her governors and emperors for these men only held the bodies of the Israelites, but Satan held their souls. His life would be given to deliver them from Sin and setting their Souls free. Even if he did deliver them from Rome their souls would still be doomed and their liberation temporary. So forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do. He gave his life without once lifting a single finger to save himself. His intent from the beginning of his time on Earth was to culminate on the cross. To save humanity from itself and to build a bridge that bypasses the final death. So he conquered death and raised himself by his own power fully seated on his throne in spirit and fully here on Earth in body.
Judas was betrayed by his own plan instead of learning and supporting God's plan he developed his own. Without the lofty vantage point that God holds we cannot see far enough or deep enough to know much at all. We are to trust God and follow his plan for us. This is what led to the possession of Judah. He believed he was doing something proactive to bring on the imminent war of independence. Instead he delivered the master to the enemy and a gruesome painful death. The guilt of this reality caused him to hang himself. Learn from his example so that you do not repeat his fatal mistake by not allowing God's plan to unfold for everything is turned to God's plan - even Judas' sin.
God so loved the world, that he sent his only born son, so that whom ever should believe in him shall have everlasting life. John 3:16 As he ascended to his Father God in Heaven he told the apostles that they and their progeny shall heal the sick, feed the poor, straighten the crooked, cast out demons, and even raise the dead in their lives of evangelism.
This promise can apply to you. If you believe in the Kingdom of God then you are of the chosen people, you are a part of the apostle’s line of progeny, ultimately you are a lost lamb come home to the safety and comfort of your shepherd. God Loves you and he wants you to Love his Son. In this way you can have a deep relationship with the one who flung the stars from his fingertips. You are his apostle!
