Why Was Judas One of Jesus’ Apostles?

(Minghui.org) Some recent events gave me deeper insight into Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting The Last Supper. The painting depicts the moment in which Jesus announces that one of his apostles will betray him. In the painting, Judas holds the bag containing the 30 pieces of silver he was paid to betray Jesus.

When I looked at this painting in the past, I mainly thought about how wicked Judas was to betray Jesus out of greed. But I wondered: Since Jesus must have known this would happen, why would he still accept him as a disciple?

After studying the teachings of Falun Dafa, I came to realize that Jesus initially accepted Judas as a disciple because he saw goodness in Judas and wanted to help him. Jesus had compassion for all and gave Judas an opportunity. When Judas later grew selfish, he rejected Jesus’ compassion and betrayed him.

In my view, Judas’ betrayal is similar to the actions of some former Fei Tian College students and former Shen Yun performers. If they were once moved by Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, they later allowed themselves to be controlled and turned against their conscience.

By observing history, we know that what’s happening today is not accidental. Driven by resentment or selfishness, one may be led to commit sins that are too serious to imagine. I hope these former students and performers will examine their true motives and rethink their choices.