In Defense of Judas Iscariot

I want to start by saying I am not a theologian.  At best, I’m a former atheist who found himself in a half rate Bible college, and later got jaded by the culture of American Christianity.  I still consider myself a follower of Jesus, but it probably doesn’t look like what you’d want it to.  I don’t currently go to “church,” but I still fellowship with believers and wrestle with the Apostles teachings with others in my community.  So, if you’re looking for a debate, or wish to prove I’m as insufficient and I know I am, just stop reading here.  If you’re a coffee addled cynic like myself, welcome to the fray.  

This weekend often marks a time of introspection for those of the Christian faith.  If we are being honest, and if you’re like me with literally nothing figured out, then every weekend seems to be one for introspection, doubt and the occasional “aha” moment.  I’m not going to convince you of anything here.  This is simply a thought that keeps bouncing around in my brain about a dude that betrayed another dude, or at least so we were led to believe. 

Judas Iscariot has been described in scripture as a traitor, betrayer, wicked, possessed by Satan, vile, evil and all other not so pleasant monikers.  What if I told you I think he may have given the greatest sacrifice of the original twelve disciples?  I know, it’s kind of a stretch but bare with me, or is it bear?  I’m also not an English major so help a brother out.  I’ve always wondered if Judas merely just betrayed the idea the other disciples, and early followers, had for Jesus.  If Jesus was both God and Man as we have come to believe, then we can also agree Jesus likely knew prior to the selection of Judas that he’d betray him.  The betrayal was a necessary end to comply with the prophecies foretold about the coming messiah.  It was probably no mistake that Judas was a literal outsider in the mix of disciples.  He was the only one that came from Judah.  All the rest of the disciples came from the areas around Galilee up north.

Here’s a different take on Judas’ betrayal of our beloved.  What if Judas was the most obedient of the disciples, obedient to both his own death and that of his savior, thus fulfilling prophecy.  Judas was the treasurer and knew the cost of Jesus’ ministry on Earth in the literal sense, but perhaps he miscalculated the cost of his own betrayal.  Judas also likely didn’t really believe Jesus had to die to fulfill all the requirements for our salvation.  Jesus was God incarnate after all.  If anyone could bypass death, surely it would be the creator of all things.  What if in his obedient mind, as a good disciple and calculating treasurer, he sold Jesus for a slave’s wage so that the religions leaders would give Jesus the audience Judas knew he needed.  What if his betrayal was simply a miscalculation?  You see, Judas knew that Jesus could make Israel whole again. The Messiah was supposed to make things right.  Judas knew Jesus was the living God, and perhaps assumed the Sanhedrin would also see God personified when they captured Jesus.  Unfortunately for Judas, that’s not how it all shook out.

This wasn’t the first time Judas miscalculated events during Jesus’ ministry.  Less than a week earlier, when the disciples were in the house of Lazarus, Martha and Mary; Judas questioned the rationale of “wasting” expensive oil to anoint Jesus’ feet.  He saw the temporal picture.  Judas saw the literal cost.  Judas missed the bigger picture and could only focus on the operating budget of doing business.  Perhaps his betrayal in the garden, that traitorous kiss, was simply the cost of doing business.  A miscalculation from a zealot who wanted Jesus’ ministry to bend to his will and understanding, versus the other way around.  If I weigh scripture with the knowledge of the coming grace, I wonder if Judas act of “betrayal” was the ultimate act of praise. Judas’ name is a variation of the Hebrew word “let god be praised” and when translated in Greek, the name Judas means simply “Praised.”

We often villainize Judas, and in the most rational sense, he IS a villain; but a necessary one.  I don’t think Judas had ill intent when he turned his savior over to be questioned.  I also wonder, what is the greater betrayal; Judas turning Christ over to the authorities or Jesus’ “rock,” Peter, denying him after seeing all Jesus had done?  Perhaps had Judas not ended his own life we would have seen a restoration arc in act two.  His grief from the betrayal prevented any redemption.  Since the remaining disciples were instrumental in writing the story post Jesus, I imagine their contempt bled into the ink with each mention of his perceived deceit.   

I can envision in that transitional period between the cross and the garden, while Jesus descended into Hades to give good tidings to the dead, that Judas was first in line to worship at the feet of his master.  That seems to give even more meaning to the grace offered by Christ. Even the person who literally sent him to death, could also be forgiven and among that cloud of witnesses with Noah, Moses, and the others down below. 

Lastly, Jesus still called Judas friend when he was betrayed, meaning Jesus still forgave him. Judas repented by throwing the money back at the feet of the religious leaders when he knew things went awfully wrong.  I won’t debate his repentance and the destination of his soul post mortem, but I have to believe in his heart of hearts Judas died for Christ. Perhaps one day, if we should count ourselves among the saints, we will be greeted by him in eternity.  Someone had to betray Jesus to affirm scripture and bring an end to sin and death, why not Mr. “let God be praised.”  Happy Easter, please don’t stone me.

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