DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: Why did Judas betray Jesus? It’s never made sense to me, because for years he’d been close to Jesus, hearing his teachings and seeing his miracles. And anyway, why did the authorities even need to find someone to betray Jesus? — D.M.If Jesus did everything he is said to have done, and Judas witnessed it he probably wouldn't have betrayed him. But the Bible says that he did, so that should speak volumes about Jesus' supposed
DEAR D.M.: During Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem large crowds gathered to hear him, and his enemies were afraid a riot might break out if they attempted to arrest him publicly.Yes, people were said to come and listen to him. But it was a congregation that would be of no worry to the might of the Roman army. That's like claiming that the US Armed Forces wouldn't be able to easily take down the Tea Party if there was a battle between them. Jesus' followers would be easy for the Roman army to defeat (in number and fighting skill/equipment). So there goes that excuse...
They needed to arrest him privately, but they didn’t know where to find him, since each night he slipped away to a secret location outside the city. That’s why they were delighted when Judas offered to betray Jesus by leading the soldiers to him.It's not just that the Romans didn't know where to find Jesus, but that they didn't even knew who he was. When Judas turned Jesus in, he had to go as far as pointing out (kissing) which man Jesus was. Isn't it odd that if Jesus was so well known, and had such a large following that the Romans would have absolutely no idea what he even looked like?
Judas will always be something of a mystery to us because you’re right: He had been with Jesus almost from the beginning and had all the evidence he needed to convince him that Jesus was the Savior sent from God. And yet he willingly turned against Jesus and offered to betray him for 30 pieces of silver.Judas' surprise turning against Jesus isn't a surprise when you look at the Bible as the work of fiction that it is. It reads like a intriguing twist in the story. It's like when Snape kills Dumbledore in Harry Potter. Or like the twist in The Sixth Sense when we find out that Bruce Willis' character had been dead the whole time. Judas switching sides is an interesting plot development. And seeing that the
Bible is fiction, it makes a lot more sense in that regard.
Or maybe it was none of those reasons. Remember, when the Bible was compiled there were many parts that were left on the cutting room floor. One of those was the Gospel of Judas. In this book, a different story is told. One where Judas does turn Jesus in, but because Jesus asked him to so that all could be fulfilled. How about that option Billy? Or also the option that there was no one for Judas to betray in the first place.Why did he do it? Was it greed? That may have been part of it, because the Bible tells us that as treasurer of the little band of disciples Judas sometimes stole money from them. Or was it disappointment, because Jesus refused to become a king and Judas wanted power for himself? We can only speculate about this.
But the real reason was that although he was outwardly committed to Jesus, in his heart Judas remained rebellious and unbelieving. He is a sad illustration of the Bible’s warning: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, NKJV). May we all learn from his tragic example, and instead be firm in our own commitment to Jesus Christ.One thing I have never understood about Christians is the contempt they sometimes show toward Judas. Okay sure, he turned Jesus in. But if he hadn't, Jesus wouldn't have been crucified. No crucifixion, no resurrection. No resurrection, no savior dying for the sins of all. Without Judas there is no Christianity and no redemption for it's followers. Christians owe that all to Judas. So they should actually revere him rather than hate him. Oh but silly me, here I am using logic again...
-Brain Hulk
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