Forgiving Judas
Christlikeness in the face of betrayal
Just before Easter, Democratic political pundit and Clinton activist James Carville called New Mexico governor Bill Richardson a “Judas” for unexpectedly endorsing Barack Obama instead of long-time political ally Hillary Clinton. Capitalizing on this infamous name during Passion Week, “Ragin’ Cajun” Carville colorfully implied Richardson's political realignment was a breach of trust tantamount to the disciple’s betrayal of selling out Jesus for 30 silver coins.
After hearing Carville’s comment, I pondered Judas’s shameful act, still the ultimate in treachery 2,000 years later. Scripture doesn’t reveal much about Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. Judas was the treasurer for Jesus’ ragtag band of followers, traveling and ministering with him, walking along the dusty roads that connected seaside to village, marketplace to mountaintop, desert to olive grove, local synagogue to impressive temple. As 1 of the appointed 12, Judas saw Jesus teach with authority, heal the diseased, exorcise demons, raise the dead, forgive the adulterous, celebrate with sinners, walk on water, calm a terrifying storm, even feed a starving multitude.
Judas probably knew Jesus much more intimately than the disciple appears to in the Gospels’ selective narratives. Daily he witnessed Jesus’ dedication to prayer, compassion for human suffering, disdain for religious legalism, devotion to his Father’s will, love for his people.
But at the Last Supper, “the Devil had already enticed Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to carry out his plan to betray Jesus” (John 13:2). What prompted Judas’s plan? Was he upset that James and John, the “Sons of Thunder,” jockeyed for favored status in the coming kingdom? Was he envious that Jesus shared such a deep friendship with the “disciple Jesus loved”? Was Judas disgruntled that Jesus passed him over by announcing Simon Peter, that blustery blowhard, to be “the rock” and foundation for the movement?
If I’d been Judas, I’d have felt hurt that Jesus didn’t invite me to join him on the mountaintop to pray; that he selected only a privileged few—Peter, James, and John—to meet Moses and Elijah and see Jesus’ Transfiguration. Out of Jesus’ earshot, Judas may have grumbled about favoritism. Behind Jesus’ back, Judas probably whispered to other disciples about their leader’s poor management style or misuse of resources. This resentment and bitterness took root and began growing into poisonous fruit.
Yet what amazes me most about Judas isn’t that he plotted and plundered. What awes me is that Jesus handpicked Judas for a disciple, knowing of his ultimate betrayal to a horrific, torturous, yet necessary death. Luke 6:12 says, “One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose 12 of them to be apostles.” And one of those prayed-for, prayed-over followers? “Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him)” (v. 16).
At one time or another, we've all experienced emotional evisceration when we’ve discovered (often by accident) someone we trusted sold us out for a payoff of boosted self-esteem or career advancement. And the betrayal is often with a kiss. I've seen the devastation after a friend has been smiling to someone’s face, all the while backstabbing that person. I've heard tales of first wives making nice with their ex's second wife, then secretly sabotaging the new marriage. I've listened to stories of backroom gossip spoiling an innocent party’s reputation.
I've experienced betrayal a few times in my own life. One painful episode involved a clutch of trusted neighborhood women who cared for my kids, moms who carpooled and coffee-klatched and moaned and groaned over life’s ups and downs with me.
Of course, this pain hardly compares to Jesus’. Yet Jesus, fully aware of Judas’s inevitable and irrevocable betrayal—of his enormous role in the cosmic drama of ultimate redemption—for three years continued working alongside him, breaking bread with him, teaching him, entrusting him with kingdom errands, even loving him. This realization stops me short in my desire for revenge; Christ’s example leads me to the discomforting, difficult route of forgiveness. For if Jesus tells us to love our enemies and bless those who spitefully use us—and if he taught these kingdom tenets with the brooding and resentful Judas present—I have no choice but to heed Jesus’ words. How much more poignant becomes Jesus’ prayer on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). If Jesus forgave his enemies—even one who betrayed him with a kiss—I must forgive the Judases who play a role in my life.
Blessings,
Have you ever suffered betrayal from someone you trusted? How did you respond? How do you treat the Judases in your life?
Posted at 10:58 AM on April 14, 2008.
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I've had people I have thought were friends, who turned out to not be true friends. So, I guess thats a Judas.
Chantell
Posted by: Chantell on April 16, 2008
A friend from high school encouraged my wife to cheat on me. How do you forgive someone who doesn't ask for forgiveness, isn't sorry for what they've done and sees nothing wrong with it?
Posted by: Eddie on April 17, 2008
Great insight and article Jane. Like many of us, I too, am no stranger to betrayal with the perverbial "kiss". After reading your article I have become keenly aware of the difference between Jesus and me. Usually we (I) discover the betrayal after the fact and become insensed. He knew ahead of time and chose to forgive in advance. After the hurt (and anger) subsides within me, I arrive at forgiveness
(albeit for selfish reasons at times to free myself of bitterness) but, I really have to flesh it out. I flesh it out when an apology usually doesn't come and often times when my Judas isn't even aware that I am aware of the betrayal. But I have found that it is a process that comes after and not in advance. What a lesson for us all... to follow Jesus' example and choose to forgive in advance. Whether or not we see it coming. It is essential for peace within.
Posted by: Joan on April 17, 2008
yes i have experienced bertrayal more than once and uyou can only imagine the hurt you feel when someone you love and trust betrays you.i guess anyone who throws your love back in the face is a judas.
Posted by: chioma on April 18, 2008
Easy to read about Judas, easy to believe we are forgiving, just wait until someone offends us. I have prayed St. Francis prayer over and over "make me a channel of your peace" because many times I fail.
As far as political figures, GOD expects more from those he has positioned in power. Bill Clinton must understand, "treat others as you would have them treat you" GOD'S LAWS the TEN Commandment's: IX & X say's it all. And sometimes KARMA is a bitter pill to swallow, when it comes around.
Many times we live and learn. Another prayer is LOVE is patient.
I pray for Our Nation's Courts, Judges, our government, President, Senator's and those running in the 2008 Presidential Election.
I pray for men and women of wisdom, who respect GOD'S law of Life. For those who seek GOD'S truth and not their own opinions.
Posted by: Linda on April 18, 2008
I can totally appreciate your expressions about Judas and his betrayal of Jesus, but Bill Richardson has every right to change his mind about supporting Hillary Clinton or anyone else for that matter. Would you continue to support someone you could no longer "walk " with for loyalty sake, or would you stand for what you felt was right no matter who it separated you from? I don't agree with the comparison of Governor Bill Richardson to Judas.
Posted by: Kym on April 18, 2008
The betrayal of a trusted friend is the worst kind of hurt. My best friend did this to me and even after I have forgiven her - the sad and hurting part is still with me. It shows me how great the love of Christ really is.
Posted by: Celeste on April 18, 2008
We've all felt betrayed in our lives at one time or another. It is inevitable, it is in our human nature. However what I see as a major betrayal going on at the moment worldwide is being conducted by Oprah Winfrey. Check out this link for yourselves. I think it should be seen by every Christian woman. Once there you can click on the you tube link of The OPrah Religious movement. http://www.carringtonsteele.citymax.com/page/page/5663569.htm
Posted by: Linda on April 18, 2008
dear jane
thanks for the provocative outline of the life and times of judas, for me as a messianic jew, i believe that without judas or a judas there would not have been the ultimate drama
you said it well about judas and
his enormous role in the cosmic drama of ultimate redemption—
yes ultimate redemption was facilitated through what would appear to be a traitor, but what of God's hand in the foreknowledge of judas and yesuah's selection of him to handle of all things the purse strings,
no not a traitor at all maybe a patriot, maybe following orders, maybe given a task because he was trusted to do it no matter the eternal consequences of his name being forever associted with being a traitor, but the task was so needful that only a trusted servant could have done it well as well as was done, for by it, yeshuah was able to comple his mission, the ultimate redemption.
knowing the eternality of the soul and that get to come again and again, and that we get to chose how we come and what we do, gives me comfort that a judas was willing to take the rap for what was already decided in the heavenlies, long long ago
keep up the good work and have a blessed day
Posted by: dr. toni luck on April 19, 2008
"Forgiving and forgetting" - at times so difficult to comprehend, and even much more so to apply when betrayed by people we trust. During a "season of betrayal," I came across Matthew 7:12: "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you." (NLT) and found myself struggling with this verse, questioning whether or not their betrayal of me was how they really wanted me to treat them. (And in my wounded state of heart, mind and soul, don't think for an instant it wasn't tempting to pay back!) But during my struggle, God's grace intervened by asking me to do the seemingly impossible task of allowing His perfect love to embrace me, to surround me with His protection and to heal my wounds. In the process of healing and restoring me, He taught me to pray for them (admittedly after I had prayed about them for months!).
Oh, how wonderful it would be if in the act of forgiveness, our hurt and pain could be "magically" erased! Even after two years, an unpleasant memory will occasionally surface, causing me to stop and surrender that memory, and any negative emotions attached, to God. Being in a situation where I still come in contact with the ones who betrayed me, I constantly ask God for His wisdom and guidance as to how to interact with them. It's not always easy...but I am so thankful God is so God and the love of Christ is so incredible.
Posted by: Sheila on April 19, 2008
Yes, how wonderful will it be if pain & frustration can be deleted from our very soul with forgiveness. I know it should but it's hard, I am struggling each day to forgive Judases plaguing my life right at this moment. It baffles me they are enjoying every bit of my misery.
But things been better, revenge is out of the list. Remorse helps me to control my heart, mine & tongue, to not lash out anything unwholesome in times of anger when being provoked and I need God more n more each day.
Thanks Jane for reminding me of Jesus's inconceivable love.
Posted by: Bee on April 22, 2008
I have gone through alot of betrayal in my life and i practice forgiveness everyday. Sometimes it is extremely difficult for me especially when i am going through alot of hurt. Eventhough we strive to be like JESUS, these betrayals do leave scars and they remind you all the time. But another way i look at it is that along the line, someone probably feels that way about me as well. Knowingly or unknowingly, i have betrayed someone. Nobody is without sin and that is the truth. We just need the grace of God to help us though every situation. That is all.
Posted by: Jay on April 23, 2008
My husband had an affair and fathered a child. He confessed to me and ask for forgiveness. I am struggling with that. And with finding love for the child. (As a side note, we have been trying to get pregnant for two years and I have no children of my own.
Posted by: Audrey on April 24, 2008
After two episodes of deception with my
significant other, I struggle with trusting
him again. It has destroyed our relationship.
How to trust again is my struggle.
Posted by: Susan on April 29, 2008
I had someone at work who I thought was a good friend, blurt out a sexual remark that made me feel like a thing to be toyed with. I know sexual harrasment goes on a lot, but I was actually surprised when I heard it coming from him. I mean every woman wants to think and feel that she's beautiful, but sexual remarks such as that just kicked me right in the mud!
Posted by: KatelynnS on May 2, 2008
I've really struggled with forgiveness. My mother was, and is still, abusive. I've survived the loss of my daughter at 2 months old -- she was suffocated by her father. I was married and divorced from an abusive man and I remarried an alcoholic. Sexual abuse, physical abuse, mental and emotional abuse have all taken their toll on my life, my sister's lives, and my children.
Forgiveness is not easy. It's hard to reconcile. It's hard to give away. It's hard to justify. It's hard to do.
However, forgiving those who hurt you; the people who cause(d) you so much pain, is NECESSARY. We don't forgive because we want something back - an apology or remorse. We forgive to release ourselves from the burdens of anger and hate. Forgivness is not for them, it's for us.
I've learned that I can forgive my mom, my daughter's father, my ex-husband and my current husband. I can forgive my sister's abusers. I can forgive the person who intruded into my life and spread rumors. I can forgive, and I do it because it helps me.
When I have truely forgiven someone, it means that I resolve to never hold their words or actions over their head ever again. It means that I have let go of the anger and hate. It doesn't take away the memories or the pain, and it shouldn't. But, it gives me permission to have peace.
Some of the people in my life who I've forgiven don't know that I've forgiven them and that's okay. They don't need anything else to use against me.
In all actuality, forgiveness is selfish. We should do it for us, and just because we forgive doesn't mean we forget. It's okay to remember that the person hurt you, or the ones you love. Remembering will help you to make better decisions and choices in the future. But, now you're free. You can start to enjoy peace and love instead of being consumed by anger and hate.
Forgiveness is healing. Forgiveness allows us to live by Christ's example. Don't stop trusting. Don't stop loving. And don't stop forgiving.
Posted by: April on May 3, 2008
Sadly, my mother-in-law betrays me and my husband again and again. Though it is the Christ-like action to forgive her time and time again, we can still choose to distance ourselves from her negativity and hurtful nature. Though we forgive her, we are also not glutons for punishment either.
Posted by: Sandra on May 6, 2008
Dear Jane, this forgivness thing just keeps popping up no matter how old I get. Whether childhood friends, boyfriends, church friends, family, co-workers... the list goes on, it seems I am in need of remembering Jesus' forgivness no matter what stage of life. It does get easier. When the tinge of bitterness rears its ugly head I am quicker to ask God to help me forgive than when I was younger. The urge to pray for someone instead of grumble does come more often, but I am not always inclined to. Thanks for your wonderful work.
Posted by: Juli on May 14, 2008