What was God's Plan B to save mankind if Judas had used his "Free Will"(tm) and not betrayed Jesus?

Answer 1

Well, I guess god would just have to solicit another disciple to betray Jesus. God's not above hardening hearts and deceiving people. It's one of his favorite past-times.

Answer 2

to understand the answer, lets look at free will, your will is your ability to act on your decision about a matter. Free moral agency is your ability to decide whether you will do good or evil, and to what degree that you will do it. Your will only carries out your choice. Judas was a theif. He was recruited into the 12 and continued to be a theif. He was also the best actor who ever lived, for he lived in the group, around them everyday, talking, living and never once slipped up. Even as Jesus is about to be betrayed, the other 11 did not know who Jesus was talking about asking who is it Lord. There are those that say that Judas wanted Jesus to establish his throne and drive the romans out. There are those who say that Judas had grown weary of the the talk and just wanted to get something out of his stay. If you recall he was stealing from the money bag that the disciples and Jesus used to pay their way. It has also been offered up that he was tired of not being in first chair as it were, Peter the dullard had that tied up. Whatever the motivation, it did not matter that much, the fact is Judas sold Jesus out. In philosphy there is what is called cosmic chess, that is God does not know all, he knows all outcomes. If that were the case, God would have needed a plan b. (or plan 9 from outer space) However God knows history from start to finish. The greater question, and one I ponder a lot, is how I can have free choice in matters of actions, choices and ability to learn and God still be controlling the world. I put a lot of time into that. I think this illistration will help. It is a bad one, but it is the best I can do without writing a book. there is a coin on the ground. God can make you see it without violating your free will, but you decide to pick it up or leave it, but God knows your choice already. That is foreknowledge at work in the world. On the other hand, how God manipulates the world is by the physical, so sublime it is missed unless revealed. Easy to scoff, difficult to see. In espionage, overt actions are invisible since they are overt. Covert can be discovered. I would tell you that the work of God is overt and that is why it is not easily seen. Judas was a theif, he wanted more than he had and could not hang onto what he had. Selling out Jesus was a logical choice. There is no mystery there, no plan b

Answer 3

I always felt like the scene at the "Last Supper," in which Jesus says that his betrayer will be the person to whom he gives the dipped sop, fairly well shows that Judas didn't have any "choice" in the matter - in fact, it's almost as if Jesus "bewitches" him with the sop, because after he receives it he immediately leaves to carry out the deed. And obviously, if Judas hadn't betrayed Jesus, the "Passion of the Christ" could never have happened - which is why certain "Gnostic" sects used to venerate Judas as an essential cog in the mechanism of the Redemption.

Of course, we're really dealing with characters in a play here. Things happen the way they do in the Gospels for dramatic effect.

Answer 4

Prazegurl and Disciple Dave have very good answers there. They summed most of it up when they told you that Jesus already knew beforehand who would do so.
The bible says even the wicked are ordained...meaning there are even people who are wicked...who are set aside for certain purpose...and that purpose is for God to receive the glory in the end. Such as Paul (who at first persecuted the church but later became the number one contributor to writing the epistles to the churches) and Pharoah, who kept God's people in bondage for years on end in Egypt. And here we have the case of Judas. Judas' heart was not right before God in the first place...that's why he was used...the Lord's not gonna purposely send someone to hell. That's why Judas' life wasn't being spared. Because he was cursed himself. (he killed himself) which is what he used his free will to do also.
But one thing that may not have been mentioned to you here is that it wasn't Judas' plan to betray Jesus ultimately. It was God's will for Jesus to be betrayed and handed over to suffer the way that he did. (Isaiah 53:9-10) Judas' free will was hindered because "Satan entered Judas" immediately after the Lord spoke of whom would betray Him. Therefore...Jesus told Satan "What you have to do...do it quickly..." (John 13:27) Because he knew what he came here for...and he knew what he came here to do. And that's how the situation was carried out.

Answer 5

Glad you've got the "tm" there or you'd be in big trouble buddy.

I love this question. My answer is this:

Maybe God wouldn't need so many "plans" if we stayed on the right path more often and used our "Free Will" (tm) to listen a little better and stick to the original plan thereby helping God avoid constantly having to make good come from our screw-ups.

BTW, Maybe you can answer the question posed in Job..."Who let the wild *** go free?"

Answer 6

He did not need a plan B, because, being all knowing, he knew what was going to happen.

In fact he must have arranged things such that Judas would do exactly what was needed of him.

I guess everyone has Free Will, except for Judas. And anyone else who plays a part in God's plan.

Hmm,


The Lord moves in mysterious ways my son.

Now sit down and don't ask awkward questions.

Answer 7

The number of items that had to fall into place in the exact way they did, the way people HAD to behave in order for this "plan" of salvation to come about means that the entirety of the Roman empire probably to follow the course it did, just to make the story come about.

What, for example, would have happened if the Romans burned political prisoners at the stake or beheaded them, instead of crucifying them? Would Jesus have been more like the Phoenix rising from the ashes or like Nearly-Headless Nick? Where would Doubting Thomas have placed his hands then?

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 8

God knows the beginning and the end of all things. He knew Judas would betray Jesus even before the world was created.Don't underestimate The Almighty, for He knows what your face will look like when you stand before Him and He already knows where you will spend eternity...

Answer 9

Actually that was more of the plan b... Plan A was probably along the lines of Jesus being taken to the temple and thanked and worshipped by the people, and at some point his earhtly body would die. Of course the true plan A was that Adam and Eve obeyed a relatively simple command....

Answer 10

Jesus choice Judas, because He knew full well, that he would betray Him, This is why Jesus chose Judas from the beginning. For Jesus knows who is His before He even calls them. He knew full well Judas was never His, nor would ever be His, therefore He chose someone that would not be His, even though He chose him to be a disciple.

Jesus would only choose someone that He knew full well would betray Him in the end, else how would Scriptures be fulfilled?

In His Holy and Precious Name, Jesus Christ

[e-mail]

Answer 11

Nothing. God knew it would happen and His will WILL BE DONE. So God knew that Judas would betray Jesus. And if Judas hadn't betrayed Jesus than Jesus wouldn't have died for our sins and we would have no chance to get to heaven.