|
Translate this page into:
         
|
|
|
Translate this page into:
|
Judas Iscariot. The lowest of the low. The most despicable human being ever to walk the face of the Earth. Or was he?
The story in the New Testament raises many questions. Of all the disciples, Judas was the closest to Jesus. He was the most educated. He was the most loyal. How could he suddenly turn around and betray someone he loved like a brother? Someone he believed was the Son of God? Simply for a few pieces of silver? And why was it necessary for Judas to identify Jesus to the Romans? Everyone knew who Jesus was. And why a kiss? And how did Jesus know in advance exactly what would happen? In truth the entire betrayal story is a bizarre tale that makes very little sense.
Enter Philo, a Greek scribe. He falls ill, and is helped by the kindness of a stranger named Judas, and they become friends. Then they go their separate ways again, until the day following the arrest of Jesus, when Judas suddenly appears on Philo's doorstep. He is extremely agitated, talking about a terrible burden, a secret that is too much for him to bear. He implores Philo to bear witness, and record his story.
Judas then proceeds to tell of his special closeness with Jesus. Judas was not a fisherman or a farmer, like the other disciples. He was a scholar, and communicated with Jesus in a way the others couldn't. He told how Jesus and he would talk through the night of many things, and of the brotherly bond that grew between them. He told how his spiritual love for Jesus became more and more intense, until he felt he would do anything for him.
Then he told how Jesus came to him, and talked about duty, and prophecy. He said his destiny was to be betrayed, and killed, and then rise from the dead, so that all men could be released from sin, and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Then he said that the one that betrayed him would have to possess enough love and loyalty and inner strength to bear the overwhelming burden of having his name despised and reviled by all of mankind until the end of time. Then he said, "You, Judas, are the only one of my followers who can do this. And it must be done. For me, and for mankind. Is your faith strong enough? Will you do it?"
So Judas played his part, going to the priests, and accepting a bag of silver to further perpetuate the illusion of betrayal. Then he went to the garden, where everyone waited, like actors in a play, waiting for their cues. The Roman guard asked him to show them Jesus, even though they knew perfectly well who Jesus was. And when Judas kissed Jesus on the cheek, it was a kiss of love, not betrayal.
After telling Philo his story, a weary Judas disappears back into the night. Jesus is eventually tried and crucified, and the next day Judas is back at Philo's doorstep. He is in bad shape. Completely distraught. He cries out that he let Jesus down. He really did betray him after all by revealing the truth of the betrayal. Perhaps his weakness has jeopardised the very salvation of mankind! And in two days Jesus would rise from the dead, and he would know! He would seek Judas out, and he would look in his eyes, and he would know. And Judas could not face that. So he ran off into the night and hanged himself.
This is the gist of a 1983 masterpiece novel by Canadian author Morley Callaghan, A Time For Judas. This is a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page, and make you look at the Bible in a whole new light. Everyone should read this book.
|
|
