Was Judas a traitor or revolutionists?

There are two ways to bring about change – revolution or evolution. Revolution is characterized by speed and violence, divide and rule, hierarchies and centralized power. Evolution is characterized by its slow pace. It does not rush change. It empowers instead of dictates.

The Jewish people were looking for a Messiah that would come and take control and restore the Jews to power.  They were looking for a political and military Messiah. The change would be quick.

Read John 13:18-30.

1.      Jesus tells us He must be betrayed in order to fulfill the scriptures.

2.      Jesus knew He would be betrayed and He knew who would betray Him. 

We cannot lose sight of the fact that Judas did have freewill. He could have chosen a different path, but I believe Judas thought the path he chose was the right one at first. He was not an enemy of Jesus Christ he was an impatient friend of Jesus.

4.      We are told Satan entered Judas as soon as he took the bread from Jesus. This indicates to me that Judas gave in to Satan’s temptation as we have all done at one time or another.

5.      Judas controlled the money. Jesus selected Judas to be a disciple and to be the treasurer. I do not believe Judas was a thief. When Judas left the meal the disciples thought Judas had gone to buy provisions for the feast or give money to the poor.

6.      It is true Jesus like to give gifts and Judas did not like wasting money and thought some of Jesus’ gifts were a waste of money, but that in no way means he was a thief or a betrayer.

7.      Jesus’ approach to change was evolution and Judas’ approach to change was revolution.

8.      Judas was the only one from Judea. The rest were from Galilee. People from Judea were thought to be smarter than those from Galilee. Being the treasurer indicates he might have been the most intelligent or best educated.  I believe Judas was the only one that really understood Christ words that night. I think he knew Christ was about to go peacefully and not fight.

9.      Judas most likely thought Christ had the people behind him after he entered Jerusalem successfully. He may have thought now is the time for the revolution and to take power from Rome. He certainly did not want Christ to surrender peacefully. 

Judas was not looking for a servant Messiah and the fact that Christ washed the feet of the others may have offended him or worried him.

11.  The words of Jesus, “…whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” This would have challenged what Judas believed in. Judas did not want the power of the priest done away with. He wanted top/down management to prevent chaos. Judas was not the only one wanting Christ to take a political role. 

I think Judas thought he could force Christ into taking the political role he wanted for Christ.

13.  I do not think Judas took the action he did out of hate, betrayal or wanting Christ dead. Judas took the action he did out of frustration/inpatients. Christ was not playing the role Judas wanted Him to play.

14.  Judas was guilty of naivete thinking he could outsmart the priest.

15.  I think the symbolism of the broken bread and shared wine consolidated Judas’ fears. Judas understood Christ was about to give His life freely without a fight. This would go against Judas’ political desires and the Jews once again being a ruling nation.

16.  I think Judas thought the crowd that was following the soldiers to take Jesus would riot as soon as the soldiers attempted to take Jesus. Christ would surely take up the revolution then.

17.  Initially it looked like Judas’ plan was going as he may have planned there were swords drawn. But, then Christ put an end to Judas’ plan and ordered everyone to stop fighting. He made it clear He did not want a rebellion.

18.  Judas was overcome with remorse and tried to return the money, but the religious leaders refused to take it back and Judas threw the money on the ground in front of them and left. The money must not have been the key issue of the betrayal.

19.  Judas then took his own life.

Most Christians refuse to look for a bit of Judas in ourselves. We find it easier to see Judas as filth, cast him away as the betrayer and not learn from his mistakes. I believe his remorse and grief were sincere. I believe God forgave him. 

The disciples may have been more forgiving than us for in Acts 1, Judas is described by the disciple as simply the “guide for those who arrested Jesus.” They found someone to replace Judas. That indicates to me Judas had a vital role in Christ ministry and was productive. I think the disciples realized that there was a part of Judas in them and I think there is a part of Judas in us.

When we try to get Christ to do what we want a part of Judas comes forth. When we try to control who can and cannot have access to Christ a part of Judas comes forth. When we insist that everyone must come to Christ as we believe they should a part of Judas comes forth.

God will no longer be held captive to rules of men and women who preach to enrich themselves or become powerful and especially men who try to dictate who can and cannot take part in the sacraments that Christ instituted. 

We all freely have access to God! I want to learn from the religious leaders, but I do not need them to represent me before God. I will represent myself.