What do we know about Judas? Most folks, who know anything about Jesus, know that Judas was one of his most intimate followers, but he ended up betraying Jesus. In fact, many irreligious folks, if betrayed by a friend, will often refer to his betrayer as a Judas. Thus, I suppose that the one indisputable fact about being a Judas figure, would be, the role of the betrayer couldn’t be fulfilled by a stranger. In other words, in order to be referred to as a Judas, one must be a friend, not an enemy or anyone else who isn’t intimate with the person, who’s betrayed. So, if we are speaking of someone betraying God today, it would be safe to say God couldn’t be betrayed by the world; if he is betrayed at all, the betrayer must be someone who knows him. It could even be a group of folks who bear his name to the world.
Additionally, if it is possible for anyone today to betray Christ, that friend or group of friends of Christ must do so by cooperating with the world, or, more specifically, the enemies of Christ. The betrayal would, of course, be denied, but the act, itself, would have public and far-reaching consequences.
Judas was also a secretive fellow! Many of the things he did, which can be known from the word of God, were done behind the scenes, away from the eyes of the other disciples. For example, he was the group’s treasurer, but he used at least part of the funds given to Christ for another, worldly purpose (John 12:6). I don’t believe it’s necessary to understand exactly what Judas used the stolen funds for; it is only necessary that we know, he did steal from Jesus and the other disciples for a purpose that didn’t serve Christ.
I believe it is also important to understand, none of the disciples, including Judas, understood Jesus’ preaching about a spiritual Kingdom of God, whose center was within men’s hearts, not Jerusalem (Luke 17:21). All the Apostles wondered how and when a supposed physical Kingdom of God would appear (Luke 19:11; cp. Matthew 24:3; Acts 1:6). Yet, Jesus never spoke of such a kingdom, but he did remind them that it wasn’t important for men to know the Table of the Lord, vis-à-vis the times and seasons, which are under the power of God alone. (Acts 1:7; cp. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), although some will take it upon themselves to try to change those times (Daniel 7:25).
What does it mean to try to change the times (Daniel 7:25)? I believe it involves going beyond what we understand to be the Table of the Lord (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), believing our own power of freewill is able to do something, which we haven’t been given the authority to do. I believe it is trying to force God to bend his will to man’s, rather than giving God the freedom to be God, vis-à-vis letting God fulfill his own will in his own time. But, what does all this have to do with betraying Christ today?
Jesus told Pilate that he was King, and he was born for that very purpose (John 18:37), yet his kingdom is not, nor would it ever be “of this world” (John 18:36). Nevertheless, Judas had gone to the rulers of that world in the first century AD, vis-à-vis the Jewish authorities, and partnered with them in a matter concerning Jesus. Exactly what was agreed upon isn’t clear, only that Judas would turn Jesus over to them (Matthew 26:14-16). Nevertheless, Judas seems to have been betrayed, himself, when Jesus’ trial didn’t go as expected (Matthew 27:3-4). Apparently, more went on behind the scenes, than is offered in Matthew’s narrative. So, whatever Judas and the Jewish authorities agreed to, Judas upheld his part of the agreement, but it seems the rulers went beyond what was agreed upon, calling up false witnesses and condemned Jesus.
In terms of betraying Jesus, today, what might that look like? During the first century AD the Church was involved in lifting up the poor and serving others in kindness and love. Not once do we find the Church going to Caesar to lift him up or support his cause, in exchange for prospering the Church in the thing that it does. Nevertheless, today, we do see the Church, just like Judas, going to the state, making agreements in an effort to prosper church goals.
Political power is sought to fast-track what is perceived to be a godly enterprise, vis-à-vis stop abortion. Yet, in the process, we’ve lost our witness of Christ to the world. In an effort to serve Christ, we’ve betrayed him. In an effort to gain political power, we’ve cast aside our spiritual power, the Gospel of Christ. We’ve engaged in the powers of darkness and have exchanged our spiritual discernment in an effort to be a mover and a shaker in today’s world.
That’s not what Christ did. He let Judas have his way, and gave himself over to the Jewish authorities, who in turn gave him over to the Romans. Yet, when all seemed lost, in the state of apparent defeat and death, Christ saved the world. The world, with all its power, its culture, its wealth, it’s industry etc. is a mere drop in the bucket in matters of significance concerning God’s power (Isaiah 40:15). In other words, the world is not needed in Christ’s service. He will have his will done, in spite of, not because of what we do. As for us, it is enough for us to fear (respect) God and obey him. This is our whole responsibility, and let God take care of the results (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).[1]
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[1] This study is based upon and my interpretation of The Judas Effect: How Evangelicals Betrayed Jesus for Power, an interview by Pat Kahnke. I take full responsibility for any deviation I may have made from that video.
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