Posted April 21, 2025 

Easter 2025 has come and gone. What comes to mind when You hear the word Easter? Church. Crucifixion. Resurrection. Savior. New clothes. Easter Bunny. Judas? Dr. Howard-John Wesley teaches a series, “Lead me to Calvary”. Part 3 is titled, “An Inside Job”. I found this to be a very insightful look at the disciple Judas. First we must remember, from ancient times, the Jewish people knew the prophecy of the promise of a Messiah, a King. At this point in their history, their minds pictured someone who would overthrow the oppressive Roman government. 

We know the story of Passion week, beginning with Jesus riding into Jerusalem, a public declaration that He was the promised Messiah. The crowd shouted “Hosanna!”, not because they recognized Him as Christ their Savior but because they thought Jesus was coming to deliver them from the Romans. When He did not live up to the conquering Messiah of their imagination, they quickly turned against Him. Billy Graham explained, “.....(they wanted) a political and military leader who would free them from the hated Roman government. Roman soldiers had occupied their land for decades, and they hoped Jesus would lead them in a successful revolt." (www.christianity.com “Jesus’ Triumphal Entry”)

On the other hand, by the time Jesus gets to Jerusalem, the religious leaders there - Pharisees and scribes - have already turned against Him and are looking for a way to kill this man who has continuously challenged them and exposed them as hypocrites. They know that Jesus is popular and any attempt to arrest him in public could start a riot. What they don’t know is how to get to Him alone, away from the crowd. Then, in steps Judas Iscariot. One of the 12, on the “inside”, chosen by Jesus. Forever recognized in modern times as simply Judas. Judas has been with Jesus and the other disciples in what we know as the Last Supper. Luke 22:3 states, “Satan entered into Judas.” Judas left the others and goes to the Pharisees. He tells them he will take them to Jesus, and they negotiate a price. Judas takes them to the Garden of Gethsemane, where there are only the other 11 disciples and Jesus. There is no crowd here. Judas identifies Jesus by giving him a kiss.

WHY? Why would Judas betray Jesus so easily? None of the gospels tell us why Judas betrays Jesus. Luke 6:16 says “Judas who became a traitor”, which implies he didn’t start like that; when Jesus chose him, betrayal wasn’t in his heart. What happened to cause Judas to become a traitor? He already handled all the money, so he could have easily taken more than 30 pieces of silver. He later has genuine remorse for what he did: “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). What is the “Why” for what Judas did?

Judas was the only disciple who was not from Galilee, an interesting sidebar. Dr. Wesley points us to the word “Iscariot”. People in ancient times often had “surnames” reflecting the region or territory they were from. Dr. Wesley says some scholars have said “Iscariot” could mean “a man from Kerioth”. Some scholars have speculated about a connection between Kerioth and Judas Iscariot, that he could have hailed from this city, although this connection is not explicitly stated in the biblical text. (https://biblehub.com Kerioth: A City of the Tribe of Judah). Kerioth was a town in southern Judah. The people there were violently against Roman occupation. Judas would have been raised in an environment that was pro killing Romans. He may have joined Jesus in hopes that Jesus would use His power to remove Roman occupation of Jerusalem. He may have joined Jesus with the expectation that Jesus will lead a revolution. This was the same expectation of those who welcomed Jesus with high praise when He came into Jerusalem.

After three years with Jesus, Judas had not heard Jesus say anything about killing Romans. He does not see the “warrior king” he has been expecting. Jesus is preaching the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus is teaching love your enemies and forgive those who have done you wrong. This is not what Judas signed up for. Dr. Wesley says scholars suggest Judas’ betrayal was his attempt to put Jesus in a situation where He would Have to show, to demonstrate His divine power to kill the Romans and save His life. Judas became impatient. Judas’ betrayal was an attempt to manipulate Jesus according to his expectations, his agenda, his environment, to “set-up” Jesus to expose His power and destroy the Romans as the long awaited Messiah.

Jesus always knew His destiny. He chose Judas to be a disciple. He spoke a puzzling declaration to Judas before the betrayal: “Whatever you must do, do it quickly”. Judas was destined to play a part in ushering in our salvation and redemption. Judas was chosen to lead Jesus to His accusers. So it is with God’s plan for Our lives and those God uses to accomplish His plan, His assignment for your life. “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for, plans of good and not evil, to an expected end”. (Jeremiah 29:11)