Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 91
91. It is yet again said: "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you" (John, Ch. 7:27). . People strive for bread and raiment but you should not be after these things and should instead labour for the food that gives real life and is to be found with the son of Adam, for, the rest is perishable and of passing benefit. . It is strange indeed that notwithstanding such teaching, it is the followers of Christ who are wholly bent upon procurement of worldly goods and have turned their backs, more than any other people, on the requirements of spiritual life. . It is further said: "But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” (Luke, Ch. 22:48. ). Judas was a disciple of the Messiah. He sold the Master for thirty piasters to his enemies. The Messiah (peace be on him) was in hiding at the time. He and the disciples wore a uniform kind of dress and kept their faces covered so that the enemies might not discover Jesus (John Ch. 21:34). . The enemy was also after him and wanted very much to know which of them was the Messiah (peace be on him). . Finally they bought over Judas, a disciple of the Messiah. On payment to him of thirty piasters, he asked them to accompany him to where all of them were gathered and proposed that he would go up and kiss one of them and they would thus know the Master and could take hold of him. Allah the Supreme had at the same time warned the Messiah through revelation how a particular disciple of his would betray him. Accordingly, when Judas went there with the soldiers of the enemy and stepped forward to kiss the Master, the Messiah said: "Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?" (Luke, Ch. 22:28).