Judas Iscariot was not happy with the way things had turned out with Jesus. For almost three years, Judas followed the rabbi and witnessed many miracles. But it had become clear to Judas that that Jesus was not the King he thought Jesus would be. Instead of taking the throne in Israel and getting rid of the Romans, Jesus talked about a different kind of kingdom. Jesus also told them he would die and rise the third day. What was that all about?
The last straw for Judas was when Jesus publicly rebuked him over the perfume incident. When Mary poured out expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus. Judas had been the only one to say something about the waste of money. But Jesus defended the waste of resources saying Mary had done it to prepare him for burial.
Judas knew it was time to do something. He was done with Jesus.
He went to visit the chief priests to discuss things. As one of the disciples, Judas knew he was in a unique position. It was only fair that he should benefit from it.
“What are you willing to give me to deliver Him up to you?” asked Judas.
Judas negotiated with them and accepted thirty pieces of silver. He deserved to be paid. After all, he had put his own life on hold for the last three years as he followed Jesus. This money would help him restart his life after all this business with Jesus was over.
As Judas walked through the narrow streets of Jerusalem, he could feel the weight of the heavy silver coins in his bag. Judas understood what the chief priests wanted. They did not want to seize Jesus when crowds surrounded the man. The man had such a passionate following that they feared a riot would break out. No, they needed to take Jesus into custody quietly.
Judas began to consider when and where during Passover week he might find the best opportunity to let the chief priests know where they could find Jesus. As Judas touched the silver coins, he told himself that he was doing the right thing. It wasn’t really a betrayal to simply give information to the chief priests on the whereabouts of Jesus.
Was it?
Carla Killough McClafferty