Reflection on John 13:21-33,36-38

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Tuesday 7, 2020

Judas was once one of Jesus’ most trusted disciples, but from the moment he planted a kiss on Jesus’ cheek in the Garden of Gethsemane, he sealed his own fate and became known as history’s most famous traitor. But by identifying Jesus to the Jewish authorities, Judas set into motion series of events that became the foundations of the Christian faith: Jesus’ arrest, his sham trial, his death by crucifixion, and resurrection, which we collectively called the Passion of Christ. 

Who was Judas?

Though the Bible did not say much about Judas’ background, all four canonical Gospels of the New Testament— Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, name him among the 12 closest disciple or Apostle of Jesus. Some scholars believe that one of the things  that might set Judas apart from the rest of the disciples is his origin— he was not from Galilee. They believe that his last name (surname) “Iscariot” suggests he may have come from the southern part of the country, meaning that he may be a little bit of an outsider. But the question frequently asked is: why would Judas betray Jesus even after Jesus had announced, “One of you will betray me?” There are several theories as to why he betrayed his Master.

• The Gospel of John and Luke cite Satan’s influence, rather than mere greed, as a reason for Judas’ betrayal. However, John made it clear that Judas was already an immoral and corrupt man before the devil got him. He was the treasurer. He kept the “common purse,” the fund that Jesus and his disciples used for their ministry and he also stole from it. This means that before the devil used him, he was already the spiritual weakling among Jesus’ Apostles. 
• Another theory insists that it was his love for money that led him to betray his Master.
• Yet, another theory suggests a more political motive. Scholars who push this theory argue that Judas became disillusioned and disappointed when Jesus showed no interest in fomenting a rebellion against the Romans that will lead to re-establishing an independent kingdom of Israel. 
• There are some scholars that alternatively submit that the reason why Judas gave Jesus away is that like the Jewish authorities at the time, he, Judas could have seen a rebellion as potentially dangerous for the Jewish people in general. This school of thought believe he was concerned that as more and more people believe in Jesus, they may hail him as the Messiah; and if that happens, the Roman authorities will unleash terror on the Jews. So, in order to prevent a large rebellion against Rome which would motivate the Roman authorities to strip whatever little freedom that Israel had, he decided to hand Jesus over. This means that Judas’ betrayal was a personal preemptive effort to protect his people and nation. 
• Another theory also has it that Judas wanted to fool the chief priests; he wanted to make money from their hatred of Jesus. The proponents of this view claim that having watched Jesus perform countless number of miracles, Judas convinced himself that when arrested, Jesus would do something miraculous to set himself free. So, when that didn’t happen after the arrest of Jesus, he realized what a big mistake he has made. It is the reason why he returned the money to the chief priests.   

Now, no matter what the real motive of Judas was for betraying Jesus, his greatest sin is not actually the betrayal of his Master. Don’t get me wrong. Betraying Jesus, an innocent man, his own Master is a big deal. His willingness to take 30 pieces of silver in exchange for his personal relationship with Jesus and his fellow Apostles is huge. But for me, Judas’ greatest sin is his refusal to be loved and forgiven by God. He considered his sin greater than God’s mercy. He reduced God as being incapable of forgiving him. 

When he realized that he has betrayed an innocent man, if only he had gone out and wept in repentance like Peter, his story would have been different. When you consider Judas and Peter, both committed the same sin of betraying Jesus. The only difference is that it was Peter who remembered that the “Lord is kind and merciful.” He wept bitterly. He repented. And after Jesus’ resurrection, he came to Peter, and gave him the opportunity to reaffirm his faith and commitment in him when he asked him thrice, “Simon, son of John, do you love me? (John 21:15-17). Peter denied Jesus thrice, and thrice Jesus gave him the opportunity to redeem his image and to reaffirm his unyielding love and faith in Jesus. 

You know, everyday is an opportunity for each of us to answer Jesus’ question: “Do you love me more than any secondary good in the world?” I pray that in your relationship and dealings with others, in the church, in your family, in your work place, in places where you buy and sell, on the streets, in your prayer life, and anywhere you are and may be, you are giving the right answer and saying with Peter, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”