Judas Iscariot—a Simple Kiss that Changed the World

As soon as most people hear the name Judas they think of him as the betrayer of Jesus.  Judas was much more than the betrayer of Jesus.  Judas learned from Jesus and travelled three years with him.  He was sent out with the other disciples to teach the Good News and to cast out demons. 

There are two way people feel about Judas.  The first way they believe that Judas was full of sin.  Even though he had walked with Jesus he did not fully accept what Jesus was saying.  He is thought of a thief because there is a mention in the Gospels.  It is believed that since he carried the money bag that he had taken some for himself.  It is believed that Judas felt remorse after Jesus was found guilty and was sentenced to death.  He went to a tree and hung himself.  Yet, it is believed that he did not actually repent of his sin because of this action.

The second group of people sees Judas as a Hero.  They feel pity for him.  They believed that he great strength to betray Jesus.  They believe that there was no other Disciple who would betray Jesus therefor he was part of the ultimate plan for Jesus life. 

We need to remember that the Disciples and writers of the Gospel paint a negative picture of Judas.  We do not know what Judas that could paint a positive picture of Judas.  Who knows if Judas had asked for forgiveness of his actions before he died?  We do know that Judas gave the money back to the church leaders.  It makes you wonder if he really knew what they were going to do.  He could have been under the impression that they were going to just have him imprisoned.  He might have thought that they would scare Jesus. 

At the last supper Jesus announced that one would betray him.  The disciples began questioning if they were the one who would betray.  Judas and Jesus already knew who it would be.  Judas in that moment had to feel that he had no choice. Jesus told the group that it would have been better if the person who would betray would have never been born.  This statement goes along with the thought that Judas was full of evil.  That the betrayal was for his own selfish motives.

Judas delivered a kiss that changed the world.  It was common for people to kiss those that were considered family or teachers.  We also have to remember what Jesus said as Judas went to kiss him.  “Friend do what you came to do” (Matthew 26:50).  This may help point out that Jesus was not angry with Judas.  Who would call their betrayer friend?  Yet Jesus did just that.  This statement goes along with those that find pity on Judas.  They believe that he had been chosen as a disciple so that Jesus would die.

No matter how you look at Jesus you cannot deny his importance to the salvation of the people.  His kiss changed the world forever.  If you believe that he was full of evil and betrayed Jesus for his own good there is evidence in the scripture for this.  Yet, you need to remember that the Bible was written after the event and it very likely that Judas may have been slanted him in this way.  If you believe that Judas was a hero.  If you feel pity for Judas as if he was destined to betray Jesus there is evidence for this in the scripture. 

It doesn’t matter which way you believe.  Yet, what is important to note is that Judas did help lead Jesus to the cross.  Judas changed the world through a simple kiss.  It is important to note that we will never know how Judas really lived.  Was Judas an evil non repentant Christian?  Was Judas just part of the plan to get Jesus to the cross?