We all recognize the name of Judas Iscariot. After 2,000 years, he is still synonymous with betrayal. To label someone a Judas is to slice to the core of his identity, to flay his reputation, and to brand him negatively in people’s minds forever.
No one wants to be a Judas.
Yet in that long-ago betrayal, Judas became entwined with Jesus. When we think of Jesus, Judas is always there, for the story of Jesus could not play itself out without the actions of his betrayer.
So, were Judas’ deeds those of a misguided fool, or was his role in life to help create an avenue of betrothal for future humanity, one that would resonate down through the ages, drawing the downtrodden and broken-hearted to the cross?
Jesus had just shared his heart with his disciples. John gives us four full chapters of his holy wisdom. It is clear that Jesus is not entirely human, even though he wears human form. No one who reads Jesus’ words can doubt he knew just what Judas intended. However, in John 18:1-2, Jesus chooses to withdraw with his disciples to a favorite garden, one called Gethsemane, a place he plainly knew Judas would be able to find him.
Jesus accepted that Judas’ betrayal was much more than a simple infidelity of character. It was the start of a betrothal between God and humanity, one that would endure for all time.
We look down on Judas’ horrific actions, as rightly we should. However, we should also consider his actions as Jesus did. Without Judas’ betrayal, there would have been no betrothal, and without the betrothal process that began with Jesus’ death on the cross, the church would not be able to stand as the bridegroom of Christ in that final hour.
All things work together for the good of them that love the Lord, even when all we can see is the betrayal that cuts our feet from under us.
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