Palm Sunday
Judas, the Traitor
I am Judas—I know I am considered a traitor. Throughout centuries my name has been used to describe the behavior of a traitor. But let me tell you it wasn’t supposed to happen as it did. My actions ended up being horrendous; there is no forgiveness. Yet, let me tell you my intentions.
A messenger of the chief priests and the chief of the temple guard talked to me and asked for my help. They offered to pay me 30 silver pieces to lead them to Jesus. I knew they had been wanting to confront Jesus in some way for quite some time.
Jesus, my beloved leader and a holy man, had transformed hundreds of people with his message of love. He had cured the lame and even raised the dead. Surely, I thought, he could stand up to the chief priests; I had seen him do it before with some of their questions. I thought finally they would recognize Jesus as the Messiah, and our following would grow even more. I hoped that the arrest of Jesus would enrage Jews so we could come together to expel the Romans from our country. All these thoughts were in my head. Have you ever taken an action to force a certain reaction? Only, I did not get the reaction I expected.
I met the chief priests and their servants and guards and took them to Mount Olives where I knew Jesus went to pray. I was surprised that the guards were armed with knives and clubs. I arranged that whomever I embraced would be Jesus. As Jesus emerged from the garden, I immediately went to him, embraced him, and said “Shalom, Rabbi.” He said to me, “Friend, just do what you are here to do.”
The crowd surrounded Jesus, laid hands on him, and arrested him. One of the apostles realized what was going on and became so angry that he drew a sword and slashed at the high priest’s attendant, cutting off his ear. Jesus told him to withdraw his weapon and said those who live by the sword die by the sword.
Jesus asked if he were a criminal? He said nobody had ever raised a hand to him when he sat teaching in the temple.
As Jesus spoke, he looked at me. I began to realize what I had done. Jesus was being so passive and was permitting himself be overpowered. I then realized that my methods were not the way of Jesus. I watched as they led Jesus to Caiaphas, the high priest, where religious scholars and elders convened. I saw Peter hiding but following them at a distance.
You know how it ended. I played the most terrible part in all Jesus suffering and death. There can be no forgiveness for my part. I feel hopeless. There is only death for me.