How did I spend the Maundy Thursday? I worked. I need to call in for a 9pm work meeting with Penang and San Jose. That's not very pleasant, especially right before long weekend. On the night that Jesus was betrayed ~2000 years ago, I worked...
I put a little thought on why Judas the Iscariot betrayed Jesus. If he wanted Jesus to die, he would not regret and hanged himself. So, when he decided to betray Jesus, he didn't know or expect Jesus would die "because of this". However, Jesus did say that, indirectly. He told the disciples that he would die soon. He also mentioned that he would be betrayed (and by Judas). So, if Judas linked these together, one can think this can lead to that.
But is this a easy link? It may not be so! You know, they all see Jesus' numerous miracles. His teaching is so great. His argument is unbeatable. He healed so many people and cast out so many demons. He can give the authority to the disciples so that they can, to a certain extent, heal and cast out demons. He can even raise people from the dead and even calm the sea. And he walked out of trouble so many times. So, he has authority over nature, spiritual realm and human and death. It is not that easy to imagine he could die, and so soon, even though he mentioned it multiple times. It's like when Jesus said Peter will deny Him, Peter didn't believe it either.
Maybe Judas was thinking, ' Well, this won't hurt. Jesus will walk out of this anyways. I can some money and use it to give it to the poor. Like the money of the expensive oil that woman put on Jesus. Of course I can use it, too, but I am not going to say that. Jesus will be fine and he will forgive me anyways. So, why not?
Well... in this case, no. Jesus declared that:
The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born. - Mark 14:21
And after Judas knew Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and he hang himself (Matt 27:3-5).
There are numerous times that we think we can walk away from the trouble (with God's help!) and God will forgive us anyways. At the end, he is gracious and forgiving, right?
He is. But it may be we who cannot forgive ourselves. Like Judas, he can't and he can find no way out.
Sometimes, I wonder if (and this is a big if) Judas didn't kill himself and meet the resurrected Jesus, what would happen? How would Judas face Jesus? What would the scene be? You know, only two more days and Jesus will be resurrected! Just 2 more days! And Jesus did mentioned beforehand that he will be resurrected.
Good Friday, what does it mean to us? Jesus' death, what does it mean to us? Jesus' resurrection, what does it mean to us?
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I spent mine wandering the hospital wards and corridors, gazing at the team of media in front of the hospital and at some of the buildings in Toronto.
ReplyDeleteSo, yer sayin' that Judas couldn't wait till the resurrection of Jesus or he missed it and couldn't ask for forgiveness?
Matt 27:3-5 seems to suggest Judas went away and hanged himself right away. So, it seems like he also died on Good Friday which is before the resurrection. I am not certain about this. And I don't recall Judas ever met the resurrected Jesus. So, that led me to think he probably died before Jesus' resurrection.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is that Jesus did mention that he would be resurrected on the 3rd day. However, that doesn't mean Judas remembered that and would have waited. Or even if he remembered, would he really wait? I don't know.
So, I just wonder. What would it be if Judas met Jesus. How would Judas feel? What would Judas say? What would Jesus say?
I really like those questions and concept of how it would be IF Judas hadn't committed suicide and met Jesus after Jesus' resurrection. That's a good drama story line...very niice, i like.
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