For Jesus, the Tuesday of Holy Week was anything but relaxing.  It was frenzied.  It was polarizing.   It was intense. Wave after wave of theological opposition was leveled against Him.  Pharisees, Sadducees, and various other schools of theological thought brought their best objections and challenges to Jesus.

“But what about this and what about that?” asked the religious groups leaders.  “What do you have to say about this?” 

One by one, their challenges were presented and one by one, all of them failed.

By the end of a long day of ongoing theological assaults, the resolve of the religious authorities was firmer than ever: Jesus must die.

How?  When?  Where?  The exact details of Jesus’ death remained uncertain, but by the end of Tuesday, those seeking Jesus’ death had a new weapon at their disposal – they had an inside man. 

Judas had seen and heard enough.  The scriptures tell us that, “One of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” They counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.” ~ Matthew 26:14-16

A lot of things happened during the last week of Jesus’ life, but on Tuesday, something especially painful happened: betrayal.  Why Judas betrayed Jesus has been debated for years. 

For most, Judas’ motives are plain and simple: Jesus no longer represented the man or movement Judas thought Him to be.  In Judas’ understanding, Israel didn’t need a humble, donkey riding, miracle working king – they needed a battle worn, warrior king more willing to inflict wounds than heal them.  All this talk of love and mercy was great, but Rome would never be driven out by love – only the sword could do that.  If Jesus wasn’t willing to do what was necessary, Jesus was no longer ‘the Way’; He was in the way. 

For others, Judas’ motives aren’t quite as clear.  If Judas was so sure Jesus no longer represented Israel’s hope, why was he so crushed by the death sentence awaiting Jesus after His arrest?  Didn’t he realize that’s where an arrest would invariably lead?  We could, of course, chalk this up to Judas having second thoughts, but is it possible that Judas never saw his activity so much as betraying Jesus, but as unleashing Jesus?  Is it possible that Judas saw his actions as giving Jesus an uncomfortable, but necessary push?  Did he think that if Jesus saw just how far the religious leaders would go to silence him, Jesus would finally see for himself that the only course of action available to Him was the way of violence? 

We may never know for sure just what Judas thought of his own actions, but here’s what we do know: during the last week of Jesus’ life, when opposition came from every which way, it also came from within Jesus’ inner circle. 

As Emmanuel, God with us, Jesus really did step into what it means to be human – even to the point of being betrayed by those he loves most.

It’s easy for us to turn our noses up at Judas, to scoff and say we would never do such a thing and yet, if we’re honest, are we really so different?

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve weren’t tempted to betray God; they were invited to become more like God.  The serpent didn’t present this new option before them as rebellion but as an opportunity for personal growth – you’ll be more like God! (Genesis 3:1-5)

The simple fact is betrayal doesn’t always look like betrayal. 

We don’t necessarily wake up in the morning with a plan to betray and deny Jesus. 

We’re not usually offered 30 pieces of silver in exchange for Jesus – the offers are usually much more subtle than that.  And those subtle, seemingly insignificant offers come every…single…day.

Watch this…

Ignore that…

Say this…

Go there…

Avoid them…

Do that…

They deserved that…

You deserve this…

There are thousands of different ways we might finish those statements, but if you’re like me, the most dangerous temptations feel more like reason, than treason. 

Why Judas betrayed Jesus is certainly an interesting question to consider, but what is far more important is that we wrestle with why we betray him.  When and where and why and how we deny Jesus, betray Jesus, fail to follow Jesus are far more important questions to consider than what drove Judas or anyone else for that matter.  Considering the nature of Judas’ motivation may be interesting, but to discern our own reasons, to come face to face with our own triggers and blind spots, has the power to move us from fascination to liberation.

One last thing - asking these questions is not a rejection of God’s grace, as if we’re trying to earn God’s love and favor.  No, this is not a rejection of God’s grace, but it is a rejection of cheap grace – of grace without cost, grace without discipleship, grace without effort, submission, or surrender.  It is a rejection of the kind of grace that fails to take seriously the love of God demonstrated to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord. (see Romans 5:8)

This Holy Week, as we reflect on Jesus’ life in preparation of his death and anticipation of His resurrection, may we set apart some time to think seriously upon our lives in Christ, our areas of weakness, the blind spots we have trouble seeing, as well as the beautiful grace of God that sustains us through all our reasons, treasons, and seasons.