The Naming of God
Jews of this era would not have used the term God, or in Hebrew, Yahweh, in referring to the Creator. The word was too holy for human utterance. Instead, they would have used Adonai, in English, Lord. In the book, I used Lord up until the time when Jesus asserts his filial relationship to God. From that point forward, with a new relationship in the making, his disciples are released from the proscription on the name.
Picts
“Blue men” is a reference to the ancient Picts who occupied the area now thought of as the highlands of Scotland. They were fierce fighters and were such a thorn in the side of imperial Rome that the emperor Hadrian finally built a wall across parts of Scotland to keep them out. Tradition holds they dyed their skin blue and were predominantly a race of red-haired people.
The Twelve
Jesus gathered around himself a substantial group of disciples. Some stayed with him throughout his ministry while others drifted in and out. At some point he identified twelve as his core group, who were subsequently denoted as the Apostles. Who they were is a matter of some small confusion.
Part of this confusion derives from the lapse in time between the events narrated in the Gospels and the events themselves. And, secondarily, further confusion comes from the translation of the narrative from Hebrew, Aramaic, or both into their final form in Greek.
The four gospels identify the Twelve by name, but there are some minor discrepancies in the listings. Luke’s is as follows: Simon (Peter), Andrew (his brother), James and John (sons of Zebedee), Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew (Levi), Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Jude (son of James), Simon (the Zealot), and lastly, Judas Iscariot.
Matthew and Mark list Thaddeus instead of Judas, son of James. John, while not listing the Apostles in any particular order or place, adds Nathaniel. Most scholars also assume the men were known in different congregations and churches by variants on their names. Thus Bartholomew was thought to be Nathaniel’s patronymic, Nathaniel son of (bar) Tolomai, etc.
The important concept to keep in mind is there were at least twelve central players in the story and several (we don’t know how many) others as well, so that Mathias (who replaced Judas), and Joseph called Barabbas, who was surnamed Justus, are described as “having been with us from the beginning.”
Discussion Guide
Frederick Ramsay, Ph.D. and Connie Collins
To get the most from this rich spiritual midrash, it is suggested that the book be read completely, then reread section by section, answering the questions as you go. A few chapters have no assigned discussion questions, but they are important to read because they carry the story forward.
The discussion guide is divided into seven sessions. If your group desires more in-depth sharing, consider dividing each session into two.
Session I
Background to the story
This first session should be devoted to a general discussion of the times and place in which the New Testament unfolds. There is a dissonance between what many people perceive the Roman Empire to have been, and what it really was. We have been raised on a diet of Shakespeare and Hollywood clichés representing the times and personalities, of Richard Burton and Charlton Heston, and we forget that the twentieth century’s greatest admirer and imitator of the empire was Nazi Germany. The times were oppressive for any who were not citizens. Rome was a class-driven society and rank, as they say, had its privileges.
Judas would have been the lowest of the low at the outset of this story. How would that jibe with your understanding of Jesus’ mission?
The disciples moved around a great deal in the course of their work. What about this is related to the nature of the Roman Empire?
Is this important later on, when Paul begins his journeys?
Crucifixion is a peculiarly Roman custom. What do you know about its application?
To whom?
Were women crucified?
Rome kept its peace, the pax romana, by the application of force through its legions. How were they assembled?
Was there a hierarchy among them as well?
Can you name the Caesars who ruled in the era just before, during, and just after Jesus’ mission?
Who was Caligula, and what relationship did he have with Pilate? With Caiaphas? Other thoughts about Palestine, Israel, Judea?
What were the differences?
Who ruled?
What is a client king?
Session II
Caesarea and Corinth, Chapters 1–12
Define midrash.
Chapter 1
The book is written in the first person. Who is the narrator?
Why did the writer establish Judas’ family history immediately (second paragraph)?
“There are risks attached to presuming to know the mind of God.” Explain what this statement means in this context. Does it presage the action to follow?
What is meant by the following statement? Many swore silently that some day, somehow, they would avenge this indecency. God would raise up a Messiah, a new David, who would lead an army against the blasphemy from across the sea and cast it out forever. Describe the Messiah the Israelites were expecting God to send. Whom did He send? Were there others who made that claim?
At the end of the chapter, Judas says, “This chaos was my birthright.” What kind of man grows out of a childhood of such chaos? Does he have choices?
Chapter 2
What do you think the narrator meant when he said, “It was to be expected, this betrayal of the betrayer.”
What is your understanding of the value of human life at this point in history? Is it different now?
What thirty pieces of silver was the storyteller referring to?
What approximate value, in today’s reckoning, does this sum represent?
Chapter 3
Discuss Judas’ relationship with his mother. How is your experience different?
What is Judas’ surname and what does it mean? (Check the notes in the back of the book.)
Does the translation of skyr sound reasonable?
If you have a chance, look at the evolution of Judas as represented in art through the ages. What is the predominant color artists use for his hair?
Chapter 5
Leonides: who was he in history? What is the symbolism in this chapter?
People of that era frequently named their sons after heroes and great figures in history. Can you think of others?
What is Jesus’ name in Hebrew?
How do you think the religion of Judas’ mother differed from that of the pagans in Caesarea?
Chapter 7
“Shadowy figures rose up near us, then drifted away. We wanted to run, but which way—and where?” Put this statement in the context of the story. Have you ever felt this way? What did you do?
Chapters 8–12
Summarize the story thus far.
We spoke of the culture of the times in session I. What have you learned about the culture since?
What new insights do you have regarding what Judas may have been like?
If you were reading this for the first time, what direction would you predict the story would take?”
Session III
Essenes and John the Baptist, Chapters 13–24
Chapter 13
Briefly describe the class system and Judas’ place in it.
Chapter 14 and 15
Judas’ statement to Nahum : “I am the grandson of Judas of the Galilee. I intend to pick up where he left off.” Who was Judas of the Galilee? (Acts 5:37) What did he mean? Speculate on how this may have affected the end of the story.
Read the last two paragraphs of the chapter. What do you think Judas was really yearning for? Have you ever experienced such a yearning? What do you think is meant by the expression, “a hole in the soul?” How can it be filled?
What were the Israelites’ expectations of a Messiah?
Chapter 16
What seems to be Judas’ mission?
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sp; He says, “But the stars were set in their courses, and so was I.” What does this say about Judas’ mindset? Is this a Christian or a Pagan concept? How does modern thought resonate with this idea of fate?
Chapter 18
From this chapter, “And yet, I lived—why? I really needed to know the answer to that question.” What is your insight into Judas’ question? Have you ever asked yourself the same question? Explain.
Read Luke 10:25–37. Compare it to Judas’ experience in this chapter. Comment on the author’s intention.
Chapter 19
Read the second-to-last paragraph in this chapter. Discuss your understanding of the meaning of the phrase, “some divine current…”
Chapter 21
“…but it was through Reuel I found God.” What does that statement mean to you? Relate this to the second question in Chapter 14.
Discuss the last paragraph in this chapter in light of John 14:6.
Chapter 22
Read the first section of this chapter. What is meant by the “forerunner?”
What do you think the “new mission” is? Describe the Essenes’ intensity.
For future reference, note John, son of Zebedee’s, opinion of Judas.
In the second section of this chapter, Judas states, “I had changed.” What indication did he have of change? What changed him?
Chapter 23
Why was John the Baptist quoting Isaiah 43:19 (third paragraph)?
What was the purpose of John’s baptism?
What did Jesus have to say about it to John? One of the most powerful spiritual principles in the book is in this chapter. It is John’s admonition to “…inspect the things in your heart that do not please God.”
What was in Judas’ heart that needed to be purged?
What is the purging process for hatred?
Discuss all that goes into forgiveness. Consider Matthew 6:9–15.
What is in your heart that needs to be purged through forgiveness?
What did John the Baptist mean in this chapter when he said, “It is not Rome who destroys us. We destroy ourselves.”?
Chapter 24
In whose company was Judas at this time?
Read Luke 3:13–17 and compare it to the author’s narrative. How do you think Judas felt as he observed all this?
Why did Jesus want to be baptized?
Session IV
Jesus in Galilee, Chapters 25–34
Chapter 25 and 26
Why did Judas follow Jesus? Who went with him?
Why was Judas confused about the Messiah and what to expect…David, Elijah, Moses?
Read Jesus’ words in Luke 4:18–19. Find them in this chapter. Read Isaiah 61:1–2. Why are the words in Luke and Isaiah the same?
Read Luke 4:20–21. Who did Jesus claim to be?
What was the response of the listeners?
What is meant by a minyan?
Simon (Peter) and John both called Judas a thief. How did their opinion of him differ?
Chapter 27 and 28
The man hearing Jesus preach calls out, “Who do you think you are, God?” What did he mean? What was Jesus doing in that sermon?
What is the Torah?
For Jews, the Law is the way, the truth, and the life. What does Jesus have to say about himself in that regard? (John 14:6) (ref. to Ch. 36.)
Review Jesus’ conversation with Judas. How were Jesus and Judas alike? How were they different?
What did Jesus say was their deepest yearning? How did He say it would be fulfilled?
What did Jesus mean by “Our futures are woven on the Father’s loom and into the fabric of our lives.”? Compare this to the statement discussed earlier in chapter 16, question 2.
Chapter 29
Read Luke 7:40–43 and find the story in this chapter. Discuss the hierarchy of sin and God’s forgiveness.
Chapter 30
What is Sukkoth?
How did the Baptizer die? See Luke 9:9. What effect did that have on Jesus’ followers? On his enemies?
Read Luke 4:1–13 and compare it with Jesus’ conversation with Judas. What do you think of the way the well known Temptation account was used in this context?
Do we sometimes have this kind of conversation with God ourselves?
The story of Gideon that Jesus and Judas discussed is in Judges 6:11–16. Read it and discuss the question, “Why, if God stood with him, do people suffer?” What was Jesus’ response?
Jesus told Judas, “The Kingdom of God will come when the hearts of men are changed.” What did He mean? Discuss the radical surgery in Ezekiel 36:26–27.
Chapter 31
Jesus uses Judas’ experience on the road to Jericho (Chapter 18) and the story of the woman about to be stoned for adultery as teaching tools. What two lessons can be gleaned on living a life pleasing to God?
What is in it for us in living a life that pleases Him?
Chapter 33
Read Luke 8:22–25 in relationship to the story in this chapter. Answer the two questions in verse 25 (Where is your faith? And who is this?). Who is seated in the back of your boat?
The story of the man with many demons is in Mark 5:1–13. Read it and discuss it as it is told in this chapter. What effect did this experience have on Judas? (See last paragraph of this chapter.)
Demons can be both real and metaphorical. Discuss.
Chapter 34
In the first section of this chapter Jesus says, “What is important is the circumcision of the spirit.” What did He mean? How would this be received by the Jewish community? By the Pharisees?
Can you identify the source of this quotation the author attributes to Jesus? What can you say about its authenticity?
Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you say that I am?” What was Peter’s answer? Why did this drop them to their knees (Luke 9:18-20)?
If asked that question today, how would you answer?
In the fourth section of this chapter, Jesus introduces a new idea on living a life pleasing to God. What is it (Luke 10:1)?
Session V
Beginning of the End – Chapters 35–45
Chapter 35
A quote from Mary Magdalene: “Women are far less trusting than men in matters of the world. In matters of faith, the reverse is true. Women are naturally spiritual and men must be drubbed into faith.” Do you agree or disagree? Why?
In Islam, men must pray five times a day to Allah, facing Mecca. Women are exempt. It is assumed they do not need to as they are naturally spiritual. Is there a lesson for us here?
The miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand with two fish and five loaves of bread is found in this chapter (Luke 9:12–17). Why is this story included in this book? In scripture?
Chapter 36
Why did Jesus say to Peter, “Get behind me?”
What did Jesus mean when he said, “My kingdom is not of this world?” Why did Judas struggle with that truth? Do you?
As presented in this chapter, what are Jesus’ views about women? Do you think the author fairly represents the scripture in this?
Discuss the Law, as explicated by Jesus in this chapter. How does this take on the law differ from what you were taught? Is there room for debate with various faiths, given this interpretation? Is it more inclusive than you want? Discuss.
Chapter 37
What is “the Passover” that Jesus, Judas and the other followers were celebrating? Refer to Exodus 12:1–13. How is this relevant to the Christian faith?
What is the significance of having Jesus celebrate the Essene Passover on what would be our Tuesday?
What does John say about the time of Jesus’ arrest and trial? Is it the same as the reported in the Synoptic gospels?
Chapter 38
What two authorities are working at odds with Jesus at this point in the narrative?
Is this within the will of God—or against it?
Consider again the statement in chapter 27, “Our futures are woven on the Father’s loom and i
nto the fabric of our lives.” How does it relate to the above question?
Chapter 39 and 40
Compare Pilate’s entry into Jerusalem with that of Jesus and share your insights.
Read Matthew 21:1–5 and Zechariah 9:9. Is fulfillment of prophecy important?
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