Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve chosen men with whom Jesus Christ ministered. He was a co-laborer with the other apostles, and was sent out by Jesus with them. Psalm 41:9 refers to him as [Christ’s] “close friend.” Yet in their accounts, the gospel writers portray Judas, rather than as one of the twelve, as the betrayer. John’s account merely refers to Judas as the one “who was betraying him.” Really none of gospels dwell very much on Judas. In fact, Judas is a hard man to gaze too intently upon. He was evil, dark, a liar and a thief. Perhaps we avoid thinking too much about Judas because we find that he just might look a little too much like us. Perhaps this is why many try to give Judas the benefit of the doubt and speculate that he was actually nobler than he truly was. Perhaps mankind has a hard time believing that Judas could be so wicked because he has a hard time coming to grips with his own desperately wicked heart?
Be warned however that you gaze not too long upon your betraying tendencies. John’s Gospel does not dwell upon Judas, but turns to consider Jesus, the Great ‘I Am.’ John occupies himself with the power of Jesus Christ. Likewise you should forget not to turn your glance from yourself to look upon the One who was betrayed. Know that He has power over sin and death; at His word, these enemies “draw back and fall to the ground,” just as the arresting cohort did in the garden.
