We are in Holy Week, a solemn time devoted to reflecting on the events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. During this time, Jesus experienced anguish, sorrow, loneliness and betrayal. When we think of the latter, one name comes to mind – Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ twelve specially chosen disciples. We don’t know much about his time with Jesus pre-betrayal, but unfortunately he has gone down in the annals of history as a treacherous, back-stabbing betrayer.

I remember seeing this joke a while back, a conversation between Jesus and Judas.
“Jesus: You should carve the turkey Judas.
Judas: Okay, but why me?
Jesus: Eh, I figured you like to stab things in the back.”

While that joke may be mildly amusing, isn’t it sad that despite some good things Judas may have done as a disciple of Jesus, this is all he is remembered as? He may have healed someone from a debilitating illness, cast out a demon and set another free, yet all of that is absent from posterity’s harsh record keeping. He probably wasn’t always a traitor, but more on that later. Nevertheless, the question remains. Why would Judas, one of the chosen twelve, betray Jesus? He must have spent a lot of time with Jesus, witnessed His mighty acts, His prophetic ability, His ability to read minds (Psalm 94:11; Matthew 9:4, 12:25; Mark 2:8). Yet he did the unthinkable.

I’ve thought about this quite a bit. Sometimes I wonder if Judas assumed that Jesus would not really be sentenced to death, but would miraculously escape as He had previously done? (Luke 4:30, John 10:39). He wasn’t the only one who struggled to believe that Jesus was going to die. In fact, when Jesus told the disciples that He would suffer and die, Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked Him for saying that. This earned Peter the famous rebuke, “Get away from me, Satan!” (Mark 8:31-33). Did Judas, being the savvy finance guy, think he could make a quick buck from the religious leaders out of that opportunity? I could be wrong, but it would certainly explain why Judas was filled with remorse the moment he realised that Jesus had been condemned to die. “So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”” (Matthew 27:3-4, NLT). Alas, their response was ‘What do we care? That’s your problem.’

Alternatively, could it be that Judas wanted to be part of a revolution, but when he realised Jesus was going to die, he couldn’t see beyond that? Most Jews thought The Messiah would lead a revolt against Rome and redeem Israel, so it wasn’t far-fetched that Judas thought so too (Luke 24:21). Maybe he figured there was no point anymore, so he might as well cash in on the situation. This would indicate that he found it difficult to believe Jesus would actually rise again, even though Jesus had said He would. Again, most of the disciples felt that way. Luke 24:11 records that when Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary told them about the resurrection, “they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense” (NIV). Even when Jesus Himself appeared to them, they still did not believe it! (verses 40-41).

In any case, whatever went on in Judas’ mind is something we may not find out while on Earth. However, Judas’ actions were not a waste, and there are a few lessons we can learn from him.

Mission Possible: Hear and Understand

From Judas’ actions, it can be assumed that he did not truly understand Jesus’ mission. 1 Corinthians 2:9 notes “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man, The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” You may have heard this verse quoted before, but the context of this verse actually refers to God’s plan to save mankind. God planned ages ago to send His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. It was one of God’s deep secrets, which is why people couldn’t even comprehend it. Verse 8 tells us “None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” In other words, if the evil one and all his agents knew that this was God’s plan all along, instead of trying to kill Jesus right from the time of His birth (Matthew 2:13-18), they would have done everything possible to keep Jesus alive!

This was a classic case of “You will keep on hearing but never understand, and keep on seeing but never perceive” (Matthew 13:14, CJB). The GWT notes “You will hear clearly but never understand. You will see clearly but never comprehend.” Jesus told the disciples several times beforehand that this would happen (Mark 8:31-33; John 2:19-21), but it was incomprehensible to them. We believe now because we have the benefit of hindsight, but who knows, we may have reacted just like the disciples if we were in their shoes.

The lesson we can learn from this is that we can be around Jesus but not really know Him or His purpose. We can attend church every week, be children of believers, work in ministry, hear God’s word preached every day and yet not believe. Judas followed Jesus around, heard teachings directly from Jesus’ mouth, saw mind-blowing miracles, was among those who were sent out and who performed signs and wonders (Luke 10). He also heard Jesus say that He will suffer many things. Still his actions show that he did not really believe. Did Judas think he could ‘get away with murder’, because the idea of Jesus rising from the dead was not something his mind could grasp?

What I have come to understand about Jesus is that He was dead set (excuse the pun) on fulfilling His Father’s will and the law, even if it cost Him His comfort, His dignity, His life (Matthew 26:38-39; Hebrews 12:2, Galatians 3:13). He knew that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22). As such, He was willing to be that sacrificial Lamb of God (John 1:29). Every single thing He did was in line with His Father’s will (John 5:19). What a way to live! It is no surprise then that His life had the impact it did. If we can truly live that way, our lives in complete alignment to the will of God, imagine the exploits we can do for God’s Kingdom (John 15:4-9).

I guess this was also why Jesus chose Judas as a disciple. He would have known from the beginning that Judas would betray Him. He knew what the disciples were like, even before meeting them (The story of Nathanael in John 1:46-49 is one example). It must have hurt Jesus, to have someone as a friend, knowing that they would betray you deeply one day. Think about it… If God told you to keep someone as your friend, even though they would betray your life for money, would you do it? Yet Jesus did it, because it was in line with the will of God.

In the end, Judas was the one that unwittingly helped Jesus fulfil His mission on Earth, His death for our life. In a way, Judas did play a part in Jesus’ mission, just not a pleasant one. This shows that truly, all things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

I pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal Jesus, His heart, His mission to us, as well as our place in this mission. May we be so utterly devoted to the will of God that we don’t care what the world’s customs and behaviours are. May we allow God transform us, starting from our thoughts, so that we may discern and live out God’s good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2).

Don’t clap, Don’t grab your cloak, Flee

There is a popular saying in Pidgin English “Na from clap e dey take enter dance.” It alludes to the fact that before someone goes into full dancing mode, they may first start with clapping, then tapping their feet. Before you know it, they are on the dance floor, gyrating seriously.

Genesis 4:7 notes, “but if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Judas started from stealing money, abusing his position as keeper of the ministry money bag (John 12:6). I guess that is why people say that how we treat money, or what we do with our money, is a true heart revealer.

As noted earlier, Judas must have gone out with the other disciples to preach, heal the sick, cast out demons. He had witnessed the power of God in action. He had even been a vessel through which that power flowed out to others. Sadly his character did not match up with the anointing on his life. He was a ‘secret sinner’, unlike the tax collectors and prostitutes. However one encounter with Jesus was enough to change Zacchaeus, a tax collector (Luke 19:1-10). Judas on the other hand had a steady stream of encounters with Jesus, but the jingle of more coins in his personal moneybag was too hard to resist. In the end, as Luke 8:17 (NLT) notes, “for all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.”

Another possible theory explaining Judas’ actions can be found in Mark 14:6-11 (Also in John 12:1-8). After Mary poured out her alabaster jar of expensive perfume on Jesus, Judas and some of the other disciples criticised her. Jesus immediately came to her defence. He told them to leave her alone and praised her actions, which were highly symbolic. In Mark’s account, it was immediately after this incident that Judas went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus. Could Judas possibly have been annoyed that Jesus told him to leave Mary alone? If that was the case, instead of getting annoyed and reacting that way, would things have turned out differently if he had reflected on what Jesus was saying and seen things from Jesus’ perspective?

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) notes that “no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” The lure of money tempted Judas to betray Jesus. However, God always gives a way of escape. While Jesus was eating the Passover meal with His disciples, He said “one of you will betray me.” Jesus emphasised how terrible it would be for that person (Matthew 26:19-25). I wonder, was that one of the ways of escape provided to Judas – knowing that Jesus had already sussed him out? Jesus clearly said “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me” (Matthew 26:23). Instead what did Judas say? ““Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said it yourself.” (v. 25, BSB)”. Did Judas not think that at this point, coming clean was the best option? Or was Judas in way too deep by this time? Like a child that denies touching the Nutella jar, even though there are chocolate smears all over their mouth. Alas, the yeast had worked its way through the whole dough, and eventually, Satan entered into Judas and used him mightily (Luke 22:2-4). While you could argue that someone had to do the deed, all I can say is that I wouldn’t want to be that person.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 urges us to “flee from every appearance of evil.” That is, we should not even go closer to check if something is really evil. Instead we should follow Joseph’s example, running without even stopping to grab our cloak (Genesis 39:12-13). May we maintain humble and contrite hearts and never think we are beyond temptation. If even Jesus Himself was tempted, then who are we? May our eyes be open to recognise our escape door and may we run swiftly towards it!

O to Know Jesus’ Nature, a Hub of Love and Mercy

Judas did not seem to understand Jesus’ nature. Despite Judas’ great betrayal, knowing what I know about Jesus’ loving and merciful nature, I think Jesus would still have forgiven him. Why do I think so? What did Jesus say to the people that actually carried out the deed, that nailed His hands and feet to a cross and hung Him out to die? “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Sadly Judas allowed the weight of his actions to crush him. Surely Judas must have seen the kinds of people Jesus spent time with, and how merciful Jesus was, even to the worst of sinners (Matthew 9:10-11; Mark 2:16-17). Yet he did not seem to understand Jesus capacity to forgive, even beyond seventy times seven times (Matthew 18:21-22). In Matthew 11:29-30 (MSG), Jesus said “Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Jesus has a heart that is always willing to forgive. Remember His lament in Matthew 23:37? “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”

Again, this brings to mind Matthew 13:15 (NIV) “For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.” Or as GWT puts it, “their minds never understand. And they never return to me for healing!” Judas never returned to Jesus for healing and forgiveness, and instead went out and hanged himself (Matthew 27:5).

This was in contrast to Simon Peter who denied Jesus. Carrying out another type of betrayal which must have broken Jesus’ heart as well. Especially given Peter’s closeness to Jesus. However, Simon Peter understood Jesus’ nature better than Judas. He did not mean to deny Jesus. In fact, he was annoyed at the very thought or suggestion of him denying Jesus. Peter famously declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (Matthew 26:35). And Peter really did try, He followed Jesus, albeit at a distance (v 58). Alas, self-preservation is not an easy instinct to resist. Which is why Jesus said we have to be willing to lose our lives for His sake before we can be His true followers (Matthew 16:24-26). Was Peter repulsed by his action? Yes – he went outside and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:75). However the repulsion he felt did not drive him to condemn himself for eternity. Instead he sought for forgiveness and received it. Instead of being denied before God (Matthew 10:33), he was mightily used by God. Through the help and power of the Holy Spirit, he also conquered his instinct for self-preservation, and he got to the point where he was able to suffer for Christ with joy (Acts 5:40, 1 Peter 4:12-17). What a transformation!

Are we acting like Judas today? Hearing over and over again but not understanding? Seeing God’s mighty works and show of love, yet doubting and not perceiving? Or are we like Peter, aware of our betrayal, seeking forgiveness from our merciful Lord and Saviour, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us?

As we reflect on this, may we, with the help of the Holy Spirit, discern areas of our lives where we may be heading down a similar path to Judas. In exploring Judas’ rationale for his actions, I am not trying to make excuses for him. Rather, I am trying to highlight how easy it can be for any of us to follow such a path. A key watchword of mine is “There but for the Grace of God go I.” One of the costliest mistakes that we can make as Christians is to dismiss our vulnerability to temptation and blind spots. We are to be on guard, to be sober and vigilant.

I pray that we will truly know and understand God’s mission on Earth, as a church, and as individuals. As we discover our role in His army, I pray that our armour will always remain in place, enabling us to stand against the wiles of the evil one. If at any point our foot slips, may we remember that we have a loving, merciful Father who is waiting for us to return. A Father who sees us returning even from a distance and will run towards us, ready to embrace us with His everlasting arms of mercy and love.

Image source here.