Blog April 16th – “Judas – why did he do it? ”

Cesar_-_Jesus_and_Judas1

“Lean on Me” (Bill Withers) Mustard Seed Soul Band from CD “Heart and Soul” recorded and produced by Ross Gill

In last week’s blog I said I had felt that Thomas had been given a “bad press” by being called “Doubting Thomas” for so many years.  It was for this reason that in Risen!- The Musical I tried to redress the balance and explain his reasons for not believing his friends when they told him that they had seen the Lord. (see blog April 9th)

So what about Judas- how does Risen!- The Musical  portray his betrayal?  I am aware that some people feel a degree of sympathy for Judas wondering if it really was his fault if, as John’s Gospel tells us, “Satan entered into him.” Others believe that disillusionment was Judas’ motive.  Judas may have expected Jesus to be a “Warrior King” who would rid the people of Roman occupation – when he realised that Jesus was in fact a “Servant King” who even humbled Himself to wash the feet of his disciples – this may have taken Judas “over the edge.”  There is also the idea that by  betraying Jesus, Judas was simply making Him “play His hand” and so, under the threat of death,  reveal Himself as the  long awaiting supernatural Messiah who would herald in a new age for the Jewish nation.

When writing Risen!- The Musical I decided it wisest to stay clear of conjecture  and instead  stick only with what the Bible tells us.

For example, I highlight  greed as part of the reason for Judas betraying Jesus-  for handing Him over to them Judas was given  30 pieces of silver from the chief priests. (Matthew 26:15)  Furthermore Judas’ greed is alluded to by the disciple John who in chapter 12 of his Gospel tells us that Judas was a thief – he was keeper of the money bag and helped himself to what was put into it.

Jealously is another reason I give for the betrayal – Judas may have resented the fact that Jesus was closest to John, James and Peter who had, for example, being given the privilege of being with  Jesus on the mountain when He was transfigured  before them (Matthew 17) It certainly seems that Judas felt less close to Jesus than the others, referring to Jesus as “Rabbi – teacher” rather than “Lord.”

One thing we do know to be true is that as soon as Judas saw that Jesus was condemned he was filled with remorse and tried to return the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests exclaiming “I have sinned, for I have betrayed innocent blood.” He then went away and hanged himself.  (Matthew 27)  In Risen!- The Musical Judas’ suicide is brilliantly portrayed by Paul Clements and the musical arrangement  by  Joffy Girling is really very powerful.

However I am not going to feature the Judas suicide track today – you will just have to buy the CD !! www.risenthemusical.com or wait to download it from ITunes (sorry for the delay but ITunes have been asking for information we did not realise was necessary) Today instead I thought I would feature a cover song – it is “Lean on Me” first sung by Bill Withers. It is a brilliant acapella version by Nicola, Fiona, Kat and Katy of the Mustard Seed Soul Band and comes from the Mustard Seed CD “Heart and Soul.”