Monday's thoughts

Jesus and Judas

The sermon for Sunday, March 7th will take a look at one of the most complex parts of the New Testament narrative. The Christian Church has yet to resolve the place of Judas in its historical record.

Was Judas a villain? Did he betray Jesus and do what he should not have done? Was is act of betrayal something to be lamented or something to be celebrated as a good thing?

Here is the argument:

Some will say Judas was a villain. He committed the unspeakable act that history documents as vile and evil. He conspired to have Jesus arrested and that led to his death on the cross. Judas is reported to have thought that about himself since he ended his life in suicide; either by hanging or throwing himself off a cliff.

Others will say Judas could be looked at as a hero. It was he whose action took the Christian faith in a new direction. Either he was trying to precipitate Jesus' affirmation as a revolutionary and was striving to put things in motion that would commit Jesus and he movement to a more aggressive posture. Or Judas action initiated the set of circumstances that led to the resurrection and that was God's plan. Judas was a hero because he put God's plan into action.

The Gospel of Judas supports the idea that Judas was a hero.

What do you think?

If you have idea on this write me at charlesschuster@fcumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thought click on the box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Charles Schuster