I had the pleasure recently to watch a modern psalmist and his minstrels perform via youtube. They played and sang and my ears and spirit were opened to a new song that I have listened to for the last 18 years. A favorite song of mine that I truly had no clue what it was about. It was during the performance, just before the song, that Bono began to shout Judas, and I wondered what was he insinuating, and then he sang the words that portrayed a beautiful conversation between Jesus of Nazareth and Judas Iscariot.

Haven’t seen you in quite a while
I was down the hold just passing time
Last time we met was a low-lit room
We were as close together as a bride and groom
We ate the food, we drank the wine
Everybody having a good time
Except you
You were talking about the end of the world

I took the money
I spiked your drink
You miss too much these days if you stop to think
You lead me on with those innocent eyes
You know I love the element of surprise
In the garden I was playing the tart
I kissed your lips and broke your heart
You
You were acting like it was the end of the world

Love…

In my dream I was drowning my sorrows
But my sorrows, they learned to swim
Surrounding me
Going down on me
Spilling over the brim
Waves of regret and waves of joy
I reached out for the one I tried to destroy
You
You said you’d wait
Till the end of the world

It brought me back to a conversation I had with a Pastor who adamantly believed that Judas was the ultimate traitor, and that his destination was hell. Ever since this conversation I questioned that passage, the thought process, and the true power of a graceful king. 

I have read many articles and some books regarding the scenario and times regarding the betrayal of Judas and many are inconclusive, like many passages in the Bible. Some believe he took his own life (I lean in the direction of this account), after he had betrayed the Christ with a kiss in exchange for money.
When you look at this story, many factors play a role, but the basics are what have me compelled to believe that Judas accepted the grace that was offered before his earthly demise. 
I cannot believe that Judas could have known cause and effects of his actions. He was a broken man, and perhaps infected with the sin of monetary greed, as scriptures state. Jesus chose him, in all his discernment and prayerful decisions; he concluded that Judas was to be closer to him than a brother, alongside the other eleven. He knew of his flaws, and still embraced and loved him. 
According to Canonical scripture and New Testament accounts, Judas betrayed the Christ and then he had that moment of perfect clarity, revelation perhaps, to the extent and magnitude of what he had set in to motion, “the end of the world”.  
Mathew 27:3-4 states,

When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.

Judas

Is this not repentance, a confession of sin and remorse for his actions. Some believe that Judas then went a hung himself at some point after the infraction. Could this also symbolize a form of remorse and being stricken with such grief that he could not continue living?  Isn’t the salvation formula greater than: traitor + sin = damnation?
In our world we need the scapegoat, to compare all our sins to as a way to validate our lifelong short comings and evil.  Yet I believe the Christ created a new ethic, and in his world he teaches us to seek out, embrace, and choose the scapegoat out of love and grace. The final scapegoat being the Christ himself. 
It alarms me at times that I find a deeper understanding of grace through a musician than through the leader of a church congregation.

-Dan

 

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