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CHIEF OF SINNERS
When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he
repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the
chief priests and elders. He said, "I have sinned by betraying
innocent blood."
Judas Iscariot, chief of
sinners.
What was he thinking when he gave Jesus away? What was in his
heart? Was he just a mercenary coveting 30 pieces of silver? Or
was he a visionary, impatient with promises of a kingdom yet to
come? Some say Judas thought he could force Jesus to reveal his
true power by betraying him to the authorities. He thought Jesus
would resist arrest and then overthrow the entire Roman
government in a fashion befitting the long-awaited Messiah.
That didn't happen, of course, and our gospel writers have no
apparent empathy with Judas, whatever his motives may have been.
They seem to write him off as a lost soul. But look at what
Judas does. He gives back the money, repents from his sin and,
by some accounts, kills himself out of remorse. Is there no
salvation for Judas?
This much we know for sure. Judas, child of God, was called in
love and sent in love to serve. So what went wrong?
I have no inside info about what motivated Judas to betray Jesus
or what happened to Judas' immortal soul, but I like to think he
found redemption. His hallmark sin, the betrayal so despised by
the gospel writers, is no different from sins I have committed.
I have betrayed Jesus. I have ignored him, denied him, cast him
aside. If God can't forgive Judas, then what is to become of me?
Is it I, Lord? Yes, it is. I am the one - the one dipping bread
in the bowl with you, the one who has betrayed you. I am Judas!
Chief of sinners though
I be, thank you, Jesus, for loving me. Amen.
Dallas Cronk
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