The fact that Judas seemed willing to betray Jesus, doesn’t mean he actually wanted Jesus dead or even thought he might be slain. After all, once Judas turned the Lord over to the band from the Jewish authorities, he wanted them to lead Jesus away safely (Mark 14:44). Moreover, when Judas saw how the night would end, he protested what the authorities had done and cast away the thirty pieces of silver they had given him (Matthew 27:3-5). Keep in mind, when John the Baptist was arrested, he was kept in prison for nearly a year before he was slain (cp. John 3:24-28; 4:1; Matthew 4:12; 14:3, 10-15, 21; John 6:1-4, 10).
Judas probably expected to be able to use donations given to Jesus for his ministry for the zealot movement, claiming he was attempting to free Jesus. Of course, Jesus would also need to understand what sort of Messiah he was expected to be. Politics is a strange business upon which to hang one’s aspirations. It expresses high hopes but often delivers less than desirable results. Judas labored for the wrong things, and his hopes were vested in a manmade, pseudo-messiah, a context into which he had trouble fitting Jesus.
While the Lord was still speaking with Peter, James and John, Judas arrived at the garden with a band of men and officers, who were given him by the Jewish authorities. Because it was night, the band was given a sign: whomsoever Judas greeted with a kiss, the same was Jesus, and he should be arrested and led away safely (Mark 14:43-44).
Aside from a minor skirmish (Mark 14:47), which Jesus not only immediately put down, but healed the man whose ear Peter had cut off (Matthew 26:51-53), most things went as planned: Judas kissed Jesus, and the multitude took him away (Mark 14:45-46). Nevertheless, as always, Jesus pointed out the sins that were committed. Judas used his friendship with Jesus to betray him, and the multitude came out against him with weapons, using the darkness of night to cover their deed. Nevertheless, they could have seized Jesus anytime during the day. In fact, if they did so, they wouldn’t have needed anyone like Judas to help identify him, because Jesus taught openly in the Temple every day. Nevertheless, sinful deeds hate the heat of light, so they are always done in secret and often in the comfort and cover of night (Mark 14:48-49).
Then, just as Jesus had predicted only hours before, all forsook him, and he was led away, captive (Mark 14:50). That’s the record, as Mark has given it to us, with a few interjections from the other Gospel narrators. The deed was done and is a matter of Biblical record. But, is that all it is? If that’s all Jesus’ arrest was, why was it so important that it was recorded by all four Gospel writers? Why was it given so much valuable space on scrolls that could contain only so much data? All four don’t record Jesus’ birth, why do all record his betrayal?
Jesus once told the Twelve (including Judas) they would reign over the twelve tribes of Israel. Nevertheless, according to Acts 1:12-26, a man named Matthias replaced Judas as one of the Twelve, but no matter how we understand this, Jesus told the Twelve, which included Judas that they, those twelve men, would reign over the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28). Most folks, who call themselves believers, think this refers to physical thrones and a physical kingdom. However, Jesus claimed the Kingdom of God was in one’s heart (Luke 17:21). Judas, the betrayer, reigns over believers who often seek to make Jesus into something he is not, something manmade—a pseudo-messiah, if you will.
This is often done in politics by folks seeking to justify their efforts by making it seem like they’re commanded by Jesus. This same kind of folks appear in religious garb in order to break up the body of Christ into denominations, as though this denomination were greater or closer to Jesus than that one (cp. Luke 22:24-30). The sins of the group imitate the one they follow.[1] Jesus was betrayed in the first century AD, and that belongs to the historical record. Nevertheless, that sin can be and often has been repeated by many throughout the centuries that followed, and continues to be a problem today in both religious and political circles—but, of course, always under the guise of serving the Lord.
The word of God claims all that needs to be done for the wicked to prosper is for the righteous to run away or be silent (Proverbs 28:28; cp. Mark 14:50-52). Nothing that happened to Christ could have occurred, if the righteous repented of their complacency (by watching and by praying) and challenged those in authority who acted against Jesus. This is why the betrayal was done secretly and under the cover of darkness, because the authorities feared the people and their eagerness to listen to Jesus (Mark 11:18, 32; 12:12; Luke 22:2; cp. Acts 5:26). Power in the hands of evil men tends to cause the meek to run (Mark 14:50), especially when one is confused and confronted with his own weaknesses and fears (Mark 14:51-52). Nevertheless, it is the challenge of the righteous to stand with Christ and behave ourselves as he behaved (WWJD). This is the **only** way to defeat evil. It can’t be done through law, and it especially can’t be done through the power of the state.
_______________________________________________________
[1] I don’t mean to imply it is wrong to be a member of any denomination of Christianity. The deed is done and cannot be undone. It remains for us to follow Jesus and not the men who broke up the Body of Christ. We are not, today, as we once were in the first century AD. Nevertheless, we don’t have to continue in the sins of those who create the schisms within the Church. All we need to do is follow Jesus, asking ourselves WWJD? Even Paul told believers to follow him **as he followed** Christ (1Corinthians 11:1). The Eleven followed Christ, and only Judas tried to get Jesus to follow him.
Smoodock's Blog 