
Matthew 10:3
The last faithful disciple of Jesus was also called Judas. However, he is clearly distinguished from Judas Iscariot. Luke writes: “Judas the son of James.” Matthew writes: “Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus.”
The names
This Judas obviously had two surnames. The name Judas was probably given to him at birth. Lebbaeus and Thaddaeus were actually nicknames. At the time of Jesus, it was common for people to be given nicknames – something to distinguish them from others. Simon had the nickname Peter, James and John were called “the sons of thunder” by Jesus, Thomas the twin, Matthew the tax collector, James the little one, Simon the Zealot, and Judas with even two nicknames – Lebbaeus and Thaddaeus.
A scribe explains:
– Thaddaeus means “breast child” and makes one think of a nursing baby. Perhaps he was the youngest in his family and therefore the child whom his mother cared for particularly lovingly.
– Lebbaeus has a similar meaning and is derived from the Hebrew root for heart. It literally means “child of the heart.”
Such nicknames are no coincidence and give us insight into his disposition. He probably had a sensitive, kind heart. He was probably a soft, mild, and kind-hearted person.
Again we see the stark contrasts: Simon the Zealot was zealous, passionate, courageous. Judas, on the other hand, was a child of the heart, with a mild, tender soul that would not harm a fly. Both were chosen to be apostles, and both were to take the gospel to the whole world. What a colorful group of people. Here we see how the word is fulfilled that in the kingdom of God “wolves and lambs” will dwell side by side (Isaiah 11:6).
A gentle nature
Like the two disciples before him, Judas remains almost completely hidden from us. There is only one passage where he asks Jesus a question at the Last Supper (John 14:21-23). Jesus said: “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
This was not entirely clear to Judas. He marveled at the grace of God that he and the other disciples were allowed to experience, and so he asked: “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” Here we also see the humble and gentle nature that Judas had. There is no pride or pushiness in his question. He did not rebuke Jesus, as Peter once did. His question sounds meek and somewhat astonished: “Lord, how is it…?”
He could not understand Jesus. Jesus’ message was so wonderful and His love so rich. He could change people. Why shouldn’t the whole world experience this, not only them as His disciples? Why did Jesus only want to reveal Himself to them?
In the next verse, Jesus explained it to him. He said that He can only reveal Himself to those who really love Him and are prepared to keep His word. He will come to this person with His Father and make His home with him. Jesus was not saying that the good news should not be proclaimed to everyone else. No, He was talking about the change of heart that can only happen if you believe His word and accept it. For then the Father and the Son come and fill the heart of man to dwell in it. What a glorious truth – Christ dwells in us!
Judas was a God-fearing and kind-hearted disciple. He loved Jesus and is said to have brought the gospel to Edessa, a city in Mesopotamia (modern-day Turkey). There are reports that a king named Abgar was healed there through his ministry. Apparently, like the other apostles, he worked not only in words but also in power and through signs and wonders.
There is a traditional apostolic symbol for Judas- Lebbaeus-Thaddaeus, namely a club. Tradition says that he was slain for his faith. That is what this symbol stands for. Even though he was a gentle and soft-hearted man, he followed his Lord – like the other disciples – to the point of death.
What matters
The apostles were twelve ordinary people. But they had one thing in common: they loved Jesus Christ with all their hearts! Nothing could separate them from their Savior, not even martyrdom. They were completely devoted to Him and overcame much through the One who first loved them.
Each of the apostles served God with their gifts and abilities and with the equipping of the Holy Spirit. Some became better known; others remained in the background. However, they all served and bore fruit, one 30-fold, the other 60-fold, the third 100-fold – each according to the gift God gave him.
It is not important whether we seem to have great or small gifts. What is important is faithful service and pure love for the One who first loved us – Jesus Christ!
Eduard Albrecht
Eppingen, Germany
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