Judas

For this one I have informed opinion, but nothing to back up that opinion other than it makes sense and doesn’t clash with the Bible. The disciples were tight with Jesus. They’d spent more than three years with Him, and watched a thousand miracles performed. They’d even DONE miracles in His name. So why would Judas betray Jesus? For a bit of money? That, in my opinion, does not make sense. Judas was the one who handled finances in the group. If someone gave Jesus a few coins, Judas took care of them. When a beggar was to receive a few coins, Judas pulled them out of the pouch. He was the treasurer of the group. If anyone could turn Jesus’ ministry into a money-making venture, it was Judas. Thirty silver coins wouldn’t be of interest to someone out to make a “quick buck.” So the question remains: Why? Jesus had been talking about His kingdom to the men and women around him for years. “When I get My kingdom, everything will be sunshine and lollipops.” Yes, I’m using a euphemism. Judas knew Jesus was the Christ – the Savior of humanity. He would right all the wrongs, punish the wicked, and lift up the righteous. And since all kingdoms have to be administered, it’s only natural that the highest government officials would include the twelve guys who were closest to Jesus when He finally took over. Judas, as treasurer, would have control over all that money coming into His Kingdom. Thirty silvers was peanuts. Like the rest of the disciples, Judas didn’t have a clue about WHAT the Kingdom of God would be like. Judas was still thinking about what most would call the “real” world – not some fantastical ethereal kingdom of spiritual bliss. He expected Jesus to forcibly remove Roman influence on the Promised Land: Israel. It would take swords and spears, and Jesus wasn’t getting the job done. He seemed content to wander around the countryside and let folks walk all over Him. Judas wanted to force His hand. So I think Judas saw Jesus as lingering when something more should be done. The man turned traitor for a few silver coins? No, rather to get Jesus moving toward this kingdom He’d been talking about for a few years. Jesus would get arrested, and the armed uprising would free Him. Then Jesus did the unexpected. He didn’t call for a rebellion. He submitted to the authorities. He was going to die. That was something Judas hadn’t considered. If Jesus was going to die, there would be no throwing off of Roman occupation. There would be no kingdom for Jesus in the Promised Land. And Judas had betrayed Him. So far none of these things was unforgivable. Repent, be restored, and though the consequences would have to be endured, all sins are forgivable. Judas, however, did none of that. He tried to make amends instead of trusting Jesus. He tried to make things right with his own ability. He didn’t let Jesus wash away the sins. Judas trusted in himself, and not in Jesus. Since Jesus would die, Judas would have no part in the Kingdom of God. So Judas killed himself in grief and self pity instead of trusting in Jesus. That is why it would have been better for him to have never been born. Again, only my opinion.