Judas, The Betrayed

Judas was not only betrayed by his pride, jealousy, self-importance, ambition, etc., he was betrayed by his need to be seen and heard and appreciated and acknowledged by The Master, by his Teacher, by his friend.

I imagine that Jesus knew Judas more than Judas knew himself. Jesus knew the character of the man he had chosen to sit beside him, to journey with him, to share his table, to share his life’s mission. Knowing all this, I wonder if Jesus felt a certain detachment toward the one who would hand him over to die. I certainly would.

I imagine that Judas would not have known the role he was given to play. If he did, I doubt that he would have accepted it. All Judas knew was that he was personally picked by Jesus. He was trusted with the management of the finances for the group. He was “second in line” to take over. While he felt important and relied upon—for these were truly important roles—he may have also felt Jesus’ personal detachment toward him—something that could only be interpreted as a form of personal rejection. After all, he was second in line—not first.

He could look around at the other apostles and see how he was better than the rest. How could Jesus not see that? Was the Man as blind as those he cured?

How does Judas, who sees himself as Jesus’ chosen one, justify this type of rejection?

• To be always there yet never be fully appreciated
• To be seen yet not justly heard
• To follow yet never be given the chance to lead
• To give up his life to serve Jesus yet not be adequately rewarded for it
• To offer his talents yet having them never completely accepted
• To know the potential within him but not be given the chance to develop
• To be promised greatness for his devotion and dedication yet receive nothing in return

I can imagine that Judas was filled with jealousy that fueled his need to prove himself. He wanted Jesus to see him as his sole confidant and advisor—better than the rest. He longed for that recognition—to feel important and needed. This desire so filled his head and heart that he had no room left for Jesus’ words—for Jesus’ mission. How frustrating that must have been for both Judas and Jesus.

Yes. Judas did not trust Jesus more than himself; therefore, Judas was left in the dark.

• To hear but not understand
• To see but not recognized
• To follow but not know where he’s going
• To strive to better the world but his efforts misdirected

When his words fell on deaf ears, he turned toward those who seemed to be more powerful and more eager to listen. In the end, he was used by those he turned to for help and became despised by the rest of the world, for generations to come.

Yes. Judas was as much the betrayed as he was the betrayer.

And while his kiss turned the world against him, his tears went unnoticed.

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