Have you ever noticed: not many people name their kid “Judas”?
It seems that I keep writing about the passion week of Christ, but there are just many things that keep rolling through my mind. Like, Judas getting a bad rap. I have spent most of my life thinking like many other Christians, “how could he do such a thing?” Or, “too bad, Judas, you messed up. Talk about having a hang up,” and so on.
Jesus was born to die. He never “hid” from anyone. The “officials” who arrested him that Thursday night did not need a trail guide, I am sure. Shoot, he was only about a half mile outside the city. I was there once…in the garden. It is a stone’s throw. No one was hiding. No one needed “found” or handed over.
There’s Peter. The Rock. The strong one. One who said he would forever be at Jesus’ side. The one who swore to Jesus that he would never deny him as Lord and friend. And that very same night, he totally denied he ever knew Jesus. As SOON as Judas came to his senses, he 1) grieved heinously, 2) took the money back, 3) confessed, and 4) told them Jesus was innocent. That’s when Peter was just getting going. Yet, not long after his Resurrection, Jesus had a fresh-fish breakfast with Peter, and gave him a second chance. Judas was just not available for breakfast.
Jesus promised that Peter would do great things for the kingdom of God. Churches around the world are named after him. “Heaven” jokes are told about him. Kids are named after him. At dinner on Thursday, Jesus called Judas his “friend.” This “friend” word (hetairos) indicates partnership, comrade, companion as opposed to "philos" which would indicate endearment. In other words, there was a partnership of some sort involved in this "betrayal.” Jesus could have sent him after milk or something to keep him busy.
Jesus chose Judas, not the other way around. Jesus knew his Disciples before He picked them. Interesting…Judas…a Greek form of the word Judah, which means, “Praise.”
Judas did nothing more than I was capable of doing –and have done– to Jesus.
3 comments:
Hello, David
Thanks for the thoughts on Judas. I, too, have often thought about Judas and His role. Someone had to be a Judas. It was prophesied hundreds of years before Jesus was born as mentioned in a passage in the Psalms for one.
My question or comment is that perhaps my response, as a follower of Christ, is to not let my life, my attitude, or anything else betray the work that Christ ultimately did on the cross followed by the resurrection. I.e., do I awaken each day with the intent to point all toward Christ instead of away from him.
God bless you, David.
Beverly Claridge
Interesting post, David. Thank you! It reminds me that Christ was not an ideologue - "an often blindly partisan advocate or adherent of a particular ideology". He experienced life as a full participant without any of the ideological filters we unconsciously live our lives through. The only way this was possible was that he had an intimate relationship with the Father that fully formed his identity. He never wondered what he was here for. And he said he was sent as the messenger and example for us... Wow!!
Good thoughts, Maybe when we look as Judas we could look at his response to his sin. Since we all sin and have denied Christ in one way or another, what do we do once we realize we blew it. The very day that I read your blog about Judas I was reading "A Rose Remembered" by Michael Phillips and he made mention of Judas as well. One of the characters in the book was at a crossroad. He had killed a man and betrayed others. This is what Phillips wrote as to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
"Whatever you have done, your FAther yet loves you. Turn to His face, not away. In Him is your only refuge from the sin that has nearly killed you.
Yours is the predicament of Judas after he had thrown down the thirty piecs of silver at the feet of his temporary allies in the cause of Satan- how to repent when you have betrayed the very Savior of men!
Could Judas have repented even then, after the example of Peter following his own threefold betrayal? Is the entryway into the Father's heart ever closed to any man or woman, however monstrous their sin?
Heed the whispers of the divine Lover of all! You can yet know life. He can save you,...Who can tell what good the Father may yet be able to accomplish by your givng your steps, your way, your all to him?"
This character had a choice to make, just like Judas did and like we do? Judas felt his sin to big to forgive. Yet, God's love and forgiveness is greater than any sin. I believe that Jesus, himself would have opened His arms and welcomed Judas back, had Judas turned to Him. God's love is that great. To all of those who have not yet experienced that love, know it is out their, through Jesus, we can have an awesome personal relationship with the very creator of the universe. No matter how we have messed up, He loves us. To those of us who have and continue to experience His love and forgiveness let's cherish it, celebrate it and share it!
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