Traitor, 2023 Lenten Blog Post #9, Good Friday

 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelvedisciples, went to the leading priests and asked, “How much will you pay me tobetray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that timeon, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. (Matthew 26:14-16, NewLiving Translation)

Thisyear, during Lent, I have been writing about the various disciples who Jesushad called to follow Him. Just like Peter, Andrew, Matthew and the others, Jesus choseJudas Iscariot to follow Him. Did Jesus know from the very beginning that Judaswould be the one to betray Him?

But Judas Iscariot, one of hisdisciples—the one who would betray him—said, “That perfume was worth a fortune.It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he caredfor the poor, but he was in charge of the disciples’ funds and often dippedinto them for his own use! (John 12:4-6, Living Bible)

Thispassage from John makes it sound like Judas always cared more about himselfthan he did for others. I’d still like to believe, though, that Judas startedout just as devoted to Jesus as the rest of the disciples.

After he had said this, Jesus was troubledin spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betrayme.”

His disciples stared at one another,at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesusloved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said,“Ask him which one he means.”

            Leaning back against Jesus, he askedhim, “Lord, who is it?”

            Jesus answered, “It is the one towhom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then,dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Assoon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

            So Jesus told him, “What you areabout to do, do quickly.” But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said thisto him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling himto buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. Assoon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. (John 13:21-30, NewInternational Version)

Sometimes,though, I notice that the rest of the disciples had their faults as well. Imean, really how many times does Jesus have to tell them what was going tohappen to Him? And how many times did they not understand what Jesus said?

And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one ofthe twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs.They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. Thetraitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which oneto arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” So Judas came straight to Jesus.“Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.

            Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead anddo what you have come for.”

            Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrestedhim. ( Matthew26:47-50, New Living Translation)

Butthe reality is that no matter what Judas was like when he started followingJesus, he made a pact with the devil. And even though his guilt caused him tohang himself, I wonder if he truly asked God for forgiveness and if, at thatlast moment before he tightened that rope around his throat, he acceptedJesus as his Savoir.

Nomatter what you have done in your life, there is no sin that God won’t forgive.You need only to ask for forgiveness and turn your life over to Him, knowingthat Jesus died to take away all of your sins.