Judas: chosen disciple, devious traitor

CRISIS BUILD-UP

Fifth of six parts

Coming from the village Cariot, Judas was interested in what was going on in the wider world. Rumours of the new healer-preacher of Galilee aroused his curiosity, and he set off to have a closer look. He got more than he hoped for — he went on a quest to find a new prophet; instead, he was found by a new Master. He was probably quite amazed that Jesus asked him to become his follower with 12 others.

Did Christ choose him to fulfill the role of traitor foretold by the psalms? If so, could he have chosen otherwise? Was he doomed from the beginning? Or did he progress to that role by his own choices?

He shared in all the privileges of the other disciples. He had close daily contact with the incarnated Son of God. He heard his wisdom, and saw his miracles. He listened attentively when Jesus explained the parables to his disciples, sitting around a fire in the evening.

Judas’ background and skills made a good impression on the crew: they entrusted the money pouch to him. He bought food, and he gave alms to the poor. He heard the demons recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, when they were driven out of possessed victims. Judas saw lepers healed, the lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, the sick restored, the hungry fed, the dead raised, and the storms stilled.

Judas heard the Sermon on the Mount from the lips of the Christ. When Jesus sent the disciples out in six pairs, Judas was among them. Jesus gave him the place of honour at their last Passover in Jerusalem. Just before the kiss of betrayal in the garden, Jesus called him “friend.”

Jesus first mentioned the betrayal about six months before his crucifixion. That was when they moved from Galilee to Judea. The Bible does not explain Judas’ motives or reasoning. Some guess he doubted if his Master was really the Messiah. By forcing Jesus to address the Sanhedrin, Jesus would either be exposed as a false Messiah or proven as the real Anointed One.

Whatever propelled him, Judas went to the temple authorities and offered his help. Why was a traitor needed? Jesus taught in the temple often: surely the enemies could identify him. Fearing uproar among Jesus’ followers, his enemies planned the arrest and trial to take place by night. They needed someone to show them where Jesus stayed overnight, and to identify him in the dark. Judas did that with a kiss.

Apparently, during Jesus’ trial, Judas regretted what he had done. Things didn’t work out as he had planned. Overcome with guilt, he hung himself.

Jacob Van Zyl of Lethbridge is a retired counsellor and the author of several faith-based books.