Jim McDonald

There can hardly be anything more devastating than to be betrayed by someone you love. The infidelity of a husband must be shattering to his wife, especially if the husband’s action was a complete surprise to her. Hosea, although acting by God’s command to marry her, must certainly have had strong feelings for Gomer even though she was a “wife of harlotry,” a description which has had many explanations. To some, it meant a woman already defiled, but to others it meant a woman born and reared in a land with little or no thought for purity and commitment. Yet it is inconceivable that after bearing him a son and a daughter and she conceived and, bore a son again and God said, “Call his name Lo-Ammi, for ye are not My people and I will not be your God” (Hosea 1:9) that Hosea could have done so and have had no sorrow to have to so acknowledge.

Although Judas’ betrayal of Jesus was not the same as when a husband betrays his wife, it nevertheless was a hurtful act on his part. Jesus knew betrayal would take place. A thousand years earlier the psalmist had written, “My own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9). Jesus knew from the beginning “who they were that believed not, and who it was that should betray him” (John 6:64). To know that and yet to have trusted Judas (as the psalmist indicated he would) is almost beyond human comprehension. Yet, we cannot know the mind of the Lord, and we freely confess that God has said, “My ways are not your way, saith Jehovah, neither are your thoughts, my thoughts.”

Thus, while Judas’ betrayal was no surprise to Jesus, that betrayal must have been a painful thing to Him. A kiss denotes affection and love, but Judas’ kiss meant none of that. It identified Jesus to those who would try Him, mock Him, spit on Him, condemn Him, and crucify Him. Earlier that fateful night Jesus had revealed to all the apostles that a traitor was in their midst, and despite the fact that Jesus had identified Judas as that traitor, when Judas was dismissed by Jesus with the words, “What thou doest, do quickly” (John 13:27) the other apostles did not realize what Judas was about to do when he left them (John 13:29).

Judas had already agreed with the rulers and chief priests to betray Jesus to them. A sum of 30 pieces of silver had been agreed upon (just as had been prophesied by Zechariah some 400 or so years earlier, 11:12). He left the upper room where he had kept the Passover with the other disciples and Jesus, and went to the soldiers to get them to come and take the Lord away. He knew the garden into which Jesus did go to pray was a favorite place with him and Judas made his way to that garden. When he approached Jesus and kissed him, Jesus had asked him, “Betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” then He said, “Friend, do that for which thou art come” (Matthew 26:50). Earlier that night Jesus told His disciples, “Ye are my friends if ye do the things which I command you” (John 15:14), but the word “friend” in that instance indicates a term of endearment while the word “friend” in Matthew 26:50 only indicates a companion. Judas had forfeited his place of apostleship by his betrayal of Jesus.

The next few hours after Jesus was taken into the soldiers’ hands, all four gospels are consumed with relating the trials of Jesus, the denials of Peter, and Pilate’s vain efforts to save Jesus from the cross. But nothing was said of Judas and what he was doing or thinking during those hours. One might suppose he had “gone his merry way,” enjoying the fruit of his crime. Whatever might have been Judas’ first thoughts after his betrayal and 30 pieces of silver securely in his pocket, those first thoughts were interrupted by a nagging conscience. This was a conscience which accused him of his wickedness and of the soul-piercing question Jesus had asked: “Betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?”

Then came reality. Jesus was going to be crucified and Judas was responsible for it. That conscience churned on and on — it would not be silenced and ultimately he could bear that voice no longer. He took his wages and seeking out the rulers and chief priests said, “I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood,” which confession made no impact upon them. “What it that to us?” the rulers replied. “See thou to it.” He cast down the silver in the temple and fled.  But his conscience accused him more and more. Finally, to silence that accusing conscience he took his own life (Matthew 27:3-5). But we hardly believe Judas’ efforts to silence that accusing conscience was successful. Think ye that when Judas opened up his eyes in torment the accusing statement, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood,” had been silenced? Is it not still ringing in his ears and will do so through eternity? Truly, “The way of the transgressor is hard” (Proverbs 13:1).

Judas was not alone in his sin. On the day of Pentecost all those present were told, “Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God had made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.” All we who have sinned also share a part in it.

But thanks be to God for the unceasing love that both He and His Son have for us. Forgiveness is possible! How true it is that “What a friend we have in Jesus”! Let us cherish that love. Let us serve Him for the love He has for us. Let us not be a traitor to Him who loved us so much and gave His life for us.