What about Judas?

What about Judas?

In Jesus of Nazareth the 1976 mini series about Jesus, Judas is portrayed as one who desires to help Jesus into the right path as he, Judas, sees it. Further into the film when Jesus is arrested, Judas shows up as Caiphas’ house and asked Zera, a fictional scribe in the movie, where the meeting will be. Zera replies, “Meeting? There is no meeting. There will be a trial. . .” He turns from Judas and begins to walk away and then remembers the money. He turns back to Judas handing him the pouch and telling Judas he has been invaluable to the mission. Judas is horrified that this is the outcome of his efforts.

Yet, scripture portrays a very different picture of Judas, his motives, and choices. We are told at the last supper Jesus says to Judas to do what he intends to do and “then Satan entered him” (Jn. 13:27). This is after Judas took the Passover meal with Jesus, sat in the seat reserved for the best friend, and allowed Christ to wash his feet.

Before all of this though, before Satan entered him, he went to the authorities and asked, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” (Matt. 26:14-16) and he “watched for an opportunity to hand him (Jesus) over.” These are the actions and decisions of an evil person who has already chosen a side. Judas wasn’t a pawn or manipulated by the authorities. He was wicked. He was paid 30 pieces of silver meant to purchase a spotless lamb for a sin offering.

John tells us Judas was stealing from the money purse. Judas had been put in charge of the purse, the group’s finances, and he was stealing from it. The NIV puts it that he “helped himself to what was put into it.”

Jesus called him the son of perdition. Perdition is a theological word meaning, “a state of eternal punishment and damnation into which a sinful, unrepentant person passes after death. Judas chose to step into damnation eternally for 30 pieces of silver.

Judas walked the countryside with Jesus; he sat in the seat of the best friend at Passover; he was trusted with the money that supported the group; he saw the miracles, helped to feed the 5,000, saw the blind regain sight, and the lame stand up and walk; he heard Jesus teach with authority unlike anyone else. Yet, still in his own free will, Judas chose to reject Jesus and betray the Messiah.

Before we too quickly make judgement on Judas though, let’s take a moment and look in the mirror. How many times have I betrayed Jesus, and with a kiss? How many times have I sold him for less than 30 pieces of silver? I’m thankful for that spotless lamb that took my sin away. Thank you Jesus.

Michael Card's song "Traitor's Look"