Singled out by God to play a role in the crucifiction, Christians should honour his act in enabling the resurrection.
Without Judas, the salvation of Christians isn't conceivable. No cross, no divine reconciliation. He did the hardest bit of God's work.
No?
As God, Jesus knew his death was a minor three day sort of thing. As God, crucifiction was a matter of insignificance. As God, the suffering was illusory.
Jesus got the glory but Judas paid the price for it. He was consumed by shame. He suffered death at his own hands. He is reviled for all time. Perhaps he was underpaid.
No Judas, no Jesus. A man who feels shame is a man who has a sense of honour. Judas, a man of honour, was chosen by God and fulfilled God's unkind plan for his life. A plan that completed God's larger purpose for Himself. Nothing remembered but a partial interpretation of a single act. Judas, deicide.
Where's the forgiveness, people?
Nearly 2,000 years and still no compassion.
Judas was merely a pawn on the divine chessboard. He made the move that God intended for him. He encapsulates original sin for all mankind. If you cannot understand Judas, you cannot forgive any person guilty of the crime of imperfection.
| 