56-Judas-II-A

And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus

Judas II
FALLEN STAR

Summer AD 29
Bethsaida, Galilee

�� The noose is around King Herod's neck.� Procurator Pilate's neck.� High Priest Caiaphas' neck.� Just ask anyone.� Ask Judas.

�� Jesus' twelve apostles have done well on their first speaking tour without him.� Now they report back.� It was successful.� Jesus is proud of them. [1]�

�� But there is bad news.� John the Baptizer has been executed by Herod. [2]� They escape over to Phoenicia, then up into Syria and up in the mountains.� They stay out of Herod's territory. [3]�

�� "You know, Simon," Judas says one day.� "If Jesus is powerful enough to worry Herod, maybe it is getting close to time for him to make his move and take over the kingdom."

�� "I have been thinking the very same thing.� I wonder what he is waiting for."

�� "Well, we have got to trust him.� He knows what he is doing."

September AD 29
Jerusalem, Judea

�� Jesus returns to Jerusalem for The Day of Atonement and Feast of Booths.� What courage.� The religious leaders have spies everywhere trying to catch him in an act or speech that would justify them in the eyes of the people having him murdered. [4]

�� He goes right into the Temple and makes the leaders mad.� They bring a woman to him who has been caught having an affair.� Jesus tells them to go ahead and have her executed if they have never done the same thing.� Suddenly the religious leaders all have appointments and must leave. [5]

�� Judas likes the way Jesus stands up to the hypocrites.� Well, not all religious leaders are hypocrites, but there seem to be a lot at the Temple headquarters these days.� How they love those honors and titles!

�� Not long after, Jesus makes them mad again.� He claims to be eternal.� They mob him.� Jesus slips out of their death clutch. [6]

�� "What are you waiting for, Jesus?" Judas asks one day.� "If they are afraid of you enough to want to kill you, they must know how powerful you are.� The people do too.� Take over the country and the religion now!� You can do it!"

�� But Jesus waits.� And waits.� Judas grows impatient.� What is it he's waiting for?

�� Jesus spends the next couple months preaching around the southern province of Judea.� Then he returns to Jerusalem.� But again the religious leaders try to assassinate Jesus, and again he escapes. [7]

�� "Jesus," Judas complains ~ Judas is growing bitter ~ "can't you do it?"� It is sarcasm.� It's not really a question.�

�� "If you don't do it, Jesus, someone else will have to.� Things are getting intolerable both in the government and the religion.� You've got to make your move now.� Otherwise it is only a matter of time and you're a dead man."

�� Jesus is here to influence Judas, not let Judas influence him.

Winter AD 29
Perea

�� Outside the influence of both religious headquarters and national headquarters, Jesus resumes his work as up-and-coming Deliverer.�

�� "Well, maybe you were right, Jesus," Judas confides a few weeks later.� "I did not mean to yell at you.� I thought you were about as powerful as you could get.� But there are new followers coming to you from everywhere in the north.� That's good, Jesus.� Sorry I lost my temper."

�� Jesus looks at Judas with as much self-restraint as he can muster.� He knows Judas' impatience will raise its ugly head again.� And his earthly interpretation of the new kingdom of God.� Intellectually Judas understands, but it has not grabbed hold of him deep down where it counts.

�� Jesus will continue to work with him and talk with him and try to influence him.� Jesus will influence Judas to some degree, and outwardly he will be a success.� But inwardly, Jesus will be a failure in bringing Judas to a higher level.�

�� Free will is a necessity.� Jesus cannot and will not turn Judas or anyone else into a puppet.� But he tries to help him.� He must try.� He will die trying.

�� They receive word that one of Jesus' best friends is on his deathbed.� But Lazarus lives too close to Jerusalem.� It is too dangerous there.� They cannot go to his rescue.

�� Then, out of the blue after Jesus announces Lazarus is dead and gone, he decides they will go anyway.� After he is dead?� What good can that do?� Judas likes the idea ~ playing with danger like that.�

�� When they arrive, everyone sees the unseeable, believes the unbelievable.� Someone moving and walking and talking, even though he is dead.� Or was dead.� A well-known man.� Everyone who was anyone attended his funeral nearly a week ago.� Now this! [8]

�� What a way to announce one's place as emperor of the world!� Man, Jesus knows how to play his cards right!� He brings a full-grown man back to life.� Right under the noses of the jealous religious leaders.� And the annoyed political leaders.�

�� "Go for it, Jesus!� Rub their noses in it!� They're done for!"

�� The thirteen men sneak back out of town, then spend the rest of the winter traveling around Perea and even some in Samaria.� Then they travel up the Jordan River in the direction where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptizer three years earlier.� To contemplate.� To remember his beginnings.� And John's.� To think about his death.� And John's.� He feels close to John right now. [9]

�� Now back into Judea, they enter Jericho.� The city goes wild.� Crowds!� People emerging from buildings of commerce and markets and houses and fields.� Children and their rabbis appearing in excited groups.�

�� A parades!� Shouts of triumph.� People waving palm branches of celebration and delivery.� Others running to get their critically ill loved ones.�

�� "Heal my mother!� She just had a stroke!"

�� "Over here!� Heal my son!� He was hit by a wagon!"

�� "No, heal me!� I'm blind!" [10]

�� Judas' father, Simon, comes to see his son. [11]� He is so proud of his son.�

�� After the parade, Judas excuses himself to talk with his father.� "I just have a minute," Judas advises.� Get rid of your Roman coins and buy unmarked gold and silver pieces.� The market is about to collapse and they will become worthless.� Jesus is about to take over the world.� The Roman government will be puddy in his hands.

�� "Son, you can't be serious," Simon responds.� But Judas has always been a risk taker.� It is the only way to get ahead in the world.� "Jesus is a descendant of David, and wants to be king of the Jews," his father continues, "but the world too?"

�� "Don't underestimate him, Father.� He will be king of the world and I'll be right up there with him.� I'm already his treasurer."�

�� "Also, Father, buy up everything you can find with the star of David on it, original copies of his psalms, things he used to own" Judas resumes.� "In a few months prices of anything having to do with King David will skyrocket and I will be rich."

�� "But how are you going to pay for it?"

�� "I have made some investments with Jesus' money.� They were my investments.� He can have the principle back.� I will just take all the profit off the top.� No one is the worse for it.� Now do as I say, Father.� You'll never regret it." [12]

�� So, where will you be spending the night?� With Lazarus again?� No.� This time we're going to the mansion of Zachaeus.� He is really rich.

�� Tomorrow night we will be in Bethany at Lazarus' house.� They'll want to invest too.� Stay in Bethany so you can check in with me Saturday night.� I may have more funds by then for you to invest that night and early the next morning.

Saturday, about April 9, AD 30
Bethany, Judea

�� There is a celebration.� An inaugural banquet of sorts.� Lazarus, the man Jesus brought back to life is there at the head of the table next to Jesus.� The whole country is in unrest.� The sleeping giant is stirring.� Jesus the head.� Everyone else the body.� The religious and state leaders their prey.

�� "Uh, Mary, I have a chance to make some good investments, but I'm a little low on funds right now."

�� Lazarus is fairly wealthy.� His house is large enough to house Jesus, his apostles and closest friends who travel with him.� He had a fine tomb carved out of a hillside.� His sisters, Martha and Mary, of course share in that wealth.

�� "Judas," Mary responds baffled.� "We've got a house full of guests.� I need to get back to work."

�� "But, Mary, I only need a few thousand denari.� I can get you ten percent return on your investment.� Maybe even fifteen percent." He knows not to approach Lazarus.� Mary would be much easier prey.

�� "Judas, now is not the time."

�� "But I've got to do it by tomorrow before we go on in to Jerusalem or it will be too late. �Don't miss your chance, Mary.� You could be independently wealthy by this time next fall."

�� "Don't you get enough out of Jesus' funds?"

�� Judas is startled.� How did she know?� It was just a lucky guess.� He has covered his tracks too well.�

�� "No one has ever trusted my financial judgment.� Well, you'll be sorry you didn't either."� He goes back to the table and continues his meal.

�� Then the big surprise.� Now Judas knows why Mary put him off.� She anoints Jesus with oil worth a year's wages.� In her eyes she has figuratively anointed him the priest and king everyone knows he has come to Jerusalem to become.�

�� "So that's what you've been up to, Mary,"Judas announces in front of all the guests.� "You know we have more requests than we can possibly handle for money from the poor."

�� Mary looks over at Judas confused.� Her family had donated a lot of money over the past three months to the cause.� Plus they kept Jesus and his friends in their home on numerous occasions free of charge.� How can he try to stir up a sense of guilt over something she's worked so hard to do for Jesus?

�� But Mary has jumped the gun of Judas.� He wanted the figurative anointing to be his idea.� Actually, he would not have wasted his money on the ceremony.� He needed her money to invest in the new kingdom.� Now it is all down the drain.

�� Needing some reinforcement from the others, Judas looks around at the other eleven aides.� "Look at that disgusting thing.� She's poured a year's wages into it.� How many thousands of poor could we have helped if she'd just given us the money instead?" [13]

�� "Who does she think she is?" Matthew joins in on Judas' cue.� "Who gave her permission to do this?� No one.� She's way out of line.� She's usurping our authority!"

�� Judas is pleased.� He has got them stirred up.� They are on his side.

�� "That is a criminal use of God's money.� Look at all those poor people we walked past on our way here.� She could have helped half of them single handedly."

�� That's right, guys.� Get your attention off of Jesus. �He doesn't matter anyway.

�� "Ego.� Just an ego trip.� That's all it is.� She wants Jesus to notice her and tell her how great she is at the expense of poor people.� She's nothing but a hypocrite."

�� Keep it up, guys.� She's in tears.

�� But Jesus does not like the way the whole thing is going.� If they are so concerned about the poor, why is there money still in their treasury?� They are jealous.� They are losing their focus.� Their religion is centered around their own judgment instead of Jesus' judgment. �Do they think they can buy their way into heaven? [14]

�� Judas is mad.� He has been upstaged again.� Plus he needed the money.� He would have given it back.� Just like the money he has borrowed from Jesus' treasury before.� He is going to give it back some day.� They will never know the difference.� Just as soon as he makes it big.� Then he will make full restitution.� No one will be the wiser.

�� Jesus stands and walks over to Judas.� He puts his arm on his shoulder and Judas looks up at him.� Jesus looks into Judas' eyes.� Sometimes Judas looks away.

�� Oh, Judas.� You still don't understand.� I am the one who can give you a life that is worth living.� Money cannot do it.� It's too temporary.

�� And fame.� I can give you that too.� You are on the verge of becoming greater than the angels.� You are on the brink of being given your own throne to help rule the kingdom of God.� I have chosen you to become one of the very foundation stones. [15]

�� Remembered forever?� That too.� Forever is a long time.� I can give you forever, Judas.� Quit looking around at other things to give it to you.� I am right here next to you.� Do you not see me?

�� You cannot get to me through the rich or the poor, through religious or political prowess, through popularity or infamy.� You have to come directly to me.� I am here for you, Judas.� Please look at me.� I want to give all this to you.� Quit fighting me, Judas.� Look at me.� Please look at me.� I love you, Judas.

�� Though words are not exchanged, Judas thinks he sees a tear drop escape Jesus' eye.� Flashes of things Jesus has said a hundred times in the past flare up in his memory.� But Jesus does not always make sense.� He promises one thing, but doesn't ever follow through.�

�� Jesus is losing Judas' respect.� Besides, he has been suspicious for several months now that Jesus does not like him as much as he used to.� And he never did think Jesus liked him as much as he did the others.� You're no different than anyone else, are you?� What's with you, anyway, Jesus?��

�� That night most of the people in the house have trouble sleeping.� They know tomorrow will be the big day.� Tomorrow will be the takeover day.� Victory Day.

�� Judas gets up and looks out the window.� He sees the street lined with the same people who began assembling earlier in the evening.� He knows that when they enter Jerusalem tomorrow morning, these people will force Jesus to take over the country.� To be their Deliverer.� He knows Jesus has the power.� But will he do it?�

�� Well, Jesus has one last chance.� If he doesn't take over, Judas will have to.� Judas has just as much power as Jesus does now.� He can strike the soldiers dead as easily as Jesus.� And if the other eleven get in his way, he will strike them dead too. [16]

�� No!� Judas puts his hands over his face.� How can he be thinking like this?� He is thinking like a mad man.� Jesus is the one.� He is the one everyone loves and admires and looks up to.� People love and admire and look up to Judas only because he works for Jesus and Jesus gave him the power to work miracles. [17]

�� And Jesus really does love him.� He has said so many times.� Jesus is the one.� Judas will be content to work under Jesus' direction.� If he would just hurry up and do it.� Initiate the takeover.

�� Besides, Judas will have plenty of power from the palace having his own throne and all.� All his friends back home ~ they will be sorry they didn't take Judas more seriously all those years.

"Oh, God.� I do not know what to do," he prays.� "It is for the sake of your people I am doing all this.� I have given up a brilliant career in banking to help you out.� Those Romans must be kicked out.� Your kingdom must be brought back to its former glory.� Oh, God.� What am I going to do?� It is all for you, God...."

Sunday, About April 10, AD 20

�� Morning arrives.� What's this?� People are lining the streets and Jesus isn't telling them to stop?� People are forming a parade and putting Jesus at the head of it and he isn't telling them to stop?�

�� What's that?� A royal donkey?� Jesus is going to ride a royal donkey into Jerusalem for the takeover?

�� Hold up there!� He is riding the donkey's colt.� Jesus, you've got to get it right.� Today is your day!� Today is everyone's day!� Conquerors don't ride into town on colts.� Well, maybe he will turn it into a golden chariot of fire just before he arrives.� Man!� What a miracle that would be!

Jerusalem, Judea

�� Momentum builds.� Thousands of people lining the highway.� Hundreds on the walls of the city.� Thousands more lining the street leading to the Temple.� Wagons, oxen and arts blocking side streets.� People waving palm branches of delivery and throwing them on the street to smooth out the bumps.� People carefully laying cloaks in the street like they're pulling out the royal carpet for him.

�� It's coming!� It's coming!� Get ready!� The takeover!� Watch out, Jerusalem!� Ready or not, here we come!�

�� Duck, you hypocritical religious leaders!� Make your escape, you tyrannical political leaders!� May as well not put up a fight, enemy troops!� You're standing up to God's man.� You can't do it!� Try it and you're dead in the water!

�� Cheers!� Singing!� Palm branches!� The joyous noise grows louder and louder!� Holy noise!� Divine clamor!� It's here!� It's here!

�� Okay!� So do it, Jesus!� Zap the enemy!�

�� Well, do it!

�� Hey, Jesus!� What are you waiting for?

�� Jesus.

�� Jesus....

�� ....Nothing.�

�� They are in the great Temple and Jesus has done absolutely nothing.� He has actually missed his chance.�

�� Judas pulls out his personal money bag.� It is nearly empty.� So is Jesus' treasury.� What is he going to do?�

�� While wandering through the Temple, Judas' father is able to work his way over to his son.

�� "Father, am I glad to see you."� You didn't buy any Star of David things, did you?� You were supposed to wait.� Don't you get anything right?� Do I have to do everything myself?"� Everything myself....� Everything myself....

�� Don't panic, Judas.� There is still a chance.� You can still salvage things.� Just stop.� Think a minute.� What are your options?� Take it easy, Judas ole boy.� Calm down.� You'll think of something....

�� His father turns in disgust.� He should have known better than to listen to his son.� Judas has always been unhappy about something.� Or someone.

�� "Uh, Judas.� That is your name, isn't it?"

�� He turns to see one of the Temple security guards standing there.� He is in uniform.� Guards are always needed.� This is a large place.� Everyone understands.� It is just routine.

�� "Yes, my name is Judas.� May I help you?"� Judas forces a smile and hurriedly puts away his money bag.

�� "Several of Jesus' apostles have been approached to represent Jesus before the Sanhedrin.� Our elders just have a few simple questions.� But none of them is cooperative.� Do you think you might...."

�� Judas' face lights up.� Salvage the takeover?� This would be the opening he needs.� A direct audience with the Sanhedrin.

�� "Uh, right now?" he asks.

�� "If you would.� I think it is a matter of some urgency."� Seeing that Judas has thus far been responsive, the security guard pushes for the decision.� "There are two guards here ready to escort you personally to the high priest's chambers.� Would that be satisfactory, sir?"

�� Sir?� They called him sir?� Judas is even getting some respect from the Temple?� That's a start.� Sir, they called him.

�� He pulls his shoulders back, straightens his gold necklace, pulls down his robe into better folds, and looks up at the sun.� "I believe I have a few moments to spare."

�� "Fine, sir.� Will you come with us?"

�� There it is again ~ "Sir!"� Judas likes that.

�� Click.� Click.� Click.� Down the holy corridor.� Closer to a well-deserved fate.� Closer to fortune.� Closer to infamy.

�� The great door opens.

�� "Judas, I presume?"

�� "Yes, sir."

�� "We're most pleased to have you join us, sir."

�� And again ~ "sir!"

�� "We have a seat for you up here next to high priest Caiaphas. [18]� Please sit down and make yourself comfortable.� Is there anything we can get for you?"

�� Judas clears his throat condescendingly.� He knows how to play the game.

�� "No, I am fine."

�� "Just call me Caiaphas," the high priest confides with a smile.� "All my friends call me Caiaphas."

�� "Yes, sir, Caiaphas, sir."

�� "So, we understand you are from around here."

�� "Yes, actually my ancestor was Caleb, one of the personal aides to Moses 2000 years ago."

�� "So you come from a long line of loyal people."

�� "Loyal to the very end."�

� �� "Now, we understand you are one of Jesus' aides.� The others are from up north.� You are the only one from around here, then.� So you would understand us better than they would," one of the theologians on the Sanhedrin prods.

�� "Well, yes.� I do understand you.� You can count on that."

�� "Do you think he is going to follow through with a takeover?" one of the scripture scribes asks.

�� "Well, he could.� But I am not sure he is the man for the job," he adds diplomatically.

�� "Who do you think is?"

�� "Well, I think there are several possibilities.� You, Caiaphas, should be allowed to keep your position."

�� "And you?� Do you see yourself as helping us and perhaps becoming one of us?"

�� Judas is hardly believing his ears.� One of them?� One of the Sanhedrin?� He could get his own office in the Temple whether he followed Jesus or them.� They are already in power.� Maybe he should play it safe.

�� He straightens up, pulls his tunic sleeves out through his robe sleeves, and clears his throat.� "Gentlemen, I am prepared to make you an offer."

�� "An offer?"� Things are going well.

�� "But I don't come cheap."

�� "Oh, we know that.� We're prepared.� What is your price?"

�� Judas clears his throat again and takes a deep breath.

�� "Thirty pieces of silver." [19]

�� "That's a year and a half wages."

�� "A year for me, well, if I were back in the financial world it would be."

�� "You are pretty young to be asking that much out of the Temple treasury."

�� "Don't hassle the young man, Samuel.� He is worth every mite of it.� The Temple will be happy to pay this amount.� Anything is worth saving our religion as we know it."

�� "Gentleman, he is right," the high priest announces.� He looks at Judas.� "You have your money.� Give us a few hours.� We will have it for you."

�� "Now, when are you going to turn him over to us for examination by the Sanhedrin before he is excommunicated and banished?"

�� Some of the men in the room snort under their breath.� Who said anything about excommunication and banishment?� Judas does not notice.

�� "Soon.� I will keep in touch.� Uh, do you have a private door where I can reach you?� This is delicate information, you know."

�� "Certainly, Judas.� You can come to my palace personally.� I will leave word with the front-gate guards.� Contact me when you are ready.� And make it discreet, Judas.� Make it discreet." [20]

�� Judas returns to the open courtyard of the Temple.� He is on top of the world!� He is on a first-name basis with the high priest.

�� He sees the crowds gathered around Jesus.� They are hanging on to every word.� They think he is strong.� He isn't.� Not without Judas.�

�� Jesus always pushed people until they showed their true colors.� Judas has learned his lesson well.� He will now push Jesuss until he shows his true colors.

�� He will turn Jesus over to the Sanhedrin.� Then Jesus will be forced to fight back take over.� Jesus just needs a little push in the right direction.� Sometimes Jesus is weak.� But Judas knows what to do.� Jesus will be glad some day.

�� He grins.� Judas has turned into a double agent.� The intrigue is stimulating.� Judas is on a high.� Plus, now he is moderately rich.� He can buy more investments than ever.

Wednesday, about April 13, AD 30

�� There has been the ceremonial dinner.� Jesus has been talking all evening about dying.� But there is not going to be any dying.� Judas is going to make sure of that.� Well, the foreign governors might die, and a few chosen Temple dignitaries, but that is all. �Not Jesus.

�� Jesus is God's man and Judas knows it.� All he needs is a little push in the right direction.� Jesus has just told Judas he knows all about it and to go ahead with his plans. [21]�

�� Judas knows Jesus is against the whole idea.� But in the long run, the world will thank Judas for doing this.

�� He walks quickly and smugly to the high priest's palace.� At the front gate he announces to the guards who he is.�

�� "His holiness is over at the Temple," they tell him.� We have been waiting for you.� We are to escort you to him as soon as you arrive.

�� Judas arrives in a chariot driven by a Temple guard.� Hurriedly they go through a special entrance used by the high priest and king.� Their sandals click click as they walk through the empty courtyard.� Another security guard is standing at the entrance to the high priest's office.

�� "Identify yourself, sir."

�� "My name is Judas of Kerioth."

�� "Oh, yes.� He is expecting you.� Go on in."

�� The door is held for him.� Judas pauses for a moment at the doorway, waiting to be announced.� Caiaphas looks up with a broad smile.

�� "Welcome!� Welcome!� You have news for us?� You have made the arrangements?"

�� "Everything is all set," Judas explains.� He is having dinner right now.� He has already said they'll go to the mount of Olives for the rest of the night.� He has got a spot there he always goes away from the crowd.� It's nearly hidden.� I know where it is." [22]

�� "Good!� Good!� We need to go on down to the council chambers."

�� They walk side by side down the holy corridor.� Caiaphas has his arm on Judas' shoulders.� Judas is proud.� Judas is important.

�� A guard opens the door for them.� Judas prays a quick prayer.� "Well, God, this is it.� I am going to force Jesus' hand.� It is for the benefit of the new kingdom of God.� We must free the people, God.� Thank you for the opportunity of being of service."

�� As he walks through the door, a millisecond of doubt slams through him.� Like lightening.� What if....� What if....� Don't think about it.� It is not possible.

�� He enters the chamber.� To his surprise there are only five members of the Sanhedrin there, along with two Temple guards.

�� "This is it?" Judas asks.

�� "Yes, we are prepared.� Just say the word."

�� "You do not seem to understand Jesus' power.� This is not prepared.� He has powers you cannot imagine."

�� "He's just a man with a charismatic personality who fools sick people into thinking they are healed."

�� "No, he really does heal them.� And he brings back cut-off arms and legs ~ all the maimed."

�� "Still, he doesn't sound too dangerous.� It's the people defending him that made him dangerous.� But, by arresting him when he is alone like this, we take all the danger out."

�� "No, it's not like that.� He can defend himself.� He could create an instant tornado if he wanted to, or earthquake.� I've seen him stop storms in a moment."

�� Judas thinks about Jesus' power to call fire down from heaven, which he is sure he has, but does not tell them too much lest they back out.� If they back out, Jesus won't be able to show his power over the religious and political powers.

�� "What do you suggest?"

�� "As many in the Sanhedrin as possible should go.� Also many more Temple guards.� And Romans soldiers.� They should go too.� Make a showing of your power."

�� Judas is setting them up.� He's got their money.� Now he is going to use it against them.� If they are dumb enough to think they can capture Jesus, he is dumb enough to take their money to help them make a stab at it.� And that's all it will be.� Just a stab in the dark.

�� "Do we have time?"

�� "We should give him until midnight to get settled in.� So, yes, I think you have time."

�� Judas is given full privileges of the Temple grounds and a lantern.� The night is cloudy and dark.� There was thunder earlier in the day when Jesus was speaking.� It looks like a storm is brewing.

�� He enjoys walking through the grounds, the only one there other than an occasional Levite checking to make sure everything is okay and the Temple guards at each gate.� Click.� Click.� Click.� His steps echo on the pavement.� By this time tomorrow all this will be his ~ and Jesus'.� His plan is impeccable.

�� Finally, "Judas, they're ready."� It is one of the Temple police.� He is escorted out a back gate used by the high priest and kings of former years.

�� Out in the street he sees a dozen members of the Sanhedrin.� He can understand that.� They never did want to be known.� The high priest is gone.� Judas expected that too.� He, especially, cannot afford to tarnish his reputation and lose his job if things go wrong.� He leaves the dirty work up to his underlings.

�� "It is time."

�� They have lined up.� In front are six chariots with lanterns attached being driven by Roman soldiers.� Behind them are probably two dozen Temple police carrying their weapons.� Behind those are the members of the Sanhedrin, each with a torch.�

�� "We are ready, Judas.� Lead the way, sir." [23]

�� Judas takes his place in front of the magnificent procession.� They should have sent more men.� Then Jesus' show of power would have been more powerful.� This will have to do.�

�� Judas begins to walk.� The chariots move out behind him.� Then the foot soldiers and finally the religious dignitaries.�

�� Man!� This is living!� Everyone's calling Judas sir.� Everyone is catering to him.� Everyone is realizing how important he is.� Of course he will trick them.� They think they will get the best of Jesus.� They won't.

�� Jesus will be glad he did it.� None of the others had the nerve.� Only Judas.� Jesus will be glad in the long run.� So will the religion.� So will the people.� So will God.

�� So will Satan.

Thursday, about April 14, AD 30

�� No!� It was not supposed to go like this!� No, Jesus!� You're not supposed to be up there on that cross!� You were supposed to stop them!� You were supposed to take over the country!� The Temple!� The world!

�� Jesus.� I didn't mean it!� Jesus.� I had to do it!� It was our only chance.� You were so weak.....

�� Oh, Jesus.� How could you do this to me?� How can I face you?� How can I face my friends?� And the people?� They loved you so.� How can I face them?� Oh, Jesus!� Oh, God!� I had to do it!

�� Why didn't you grab your destiny while you could?� Oh, Jesus.� You'll never be able to forgive me.� Oh, Jesus.� Not even you can forgive me.� You're not that big.� Not that powerful.� Not that loving.� Oh, Jesus....� ��

�� Oh Jesus....

�� Judas still has his heavy money pouch on him.� He is not sure how he gets there, or when, but somehow arrives at the Temple.� It is noon.� It is dark.� Everything is going wrong.� Judas is nauseated.� Judas is once again a failure.

�� He rushes in through the magnificent gates among the crowd there lined up to slaughter their sacrificial lambs.� He works his way back to the Sanhedrin chambers.� He charges through their doors but no one is there.

�� He heads down the corridor to the room where they normally eat their sacrificial meals.� He chooses the largest one and opens the doors so hard they hit the back wall with an echoing thud.

�� "Sir!� You can't go in there!� Sir!"

�� Indeed they are in there.� Eating the sacrificial lamb they had slaughtered earlier in the day.

�� He unties his treasured money pouch and throws it onto their conference table, then climbs up on the table himself.�

�� "Judas!� What is the meaning of this interruption?"

�� They are celebrating.� Wine, unleavened bread, the sacrificial lamb.

�� Judas pulls out a hand full of silver pieces and throws them at one of the church dignitaries.

�� No one tries to stop him.� He has lost control.� Let him get it out of his system.

�� He takes another handful and throws that.� Then another, and another.� Take that!� And that!� And that!

�� Finally thirty silver pieces are scattered.� They have done little damage.

�� "Take your blood money back!� I don't want it!� It wasn't supposed to turn out like this!� He was innocent!� He never hurt you!� All you had to do is accept him and quit fighting him!� He never hurt any of you!"

�� "Now that you have had your say, get out of here.� We don't want to see you again." [24]

�� Judas tumbles off the table and temporarily looses his balance.� He gets up and looks back at the smug council.� He pushes his way back out the door like a raging bull.� Now blinded by his tears, he stumbles down the corridor and out into the Temple courtyard.

�� The sky above is dark.� The clouds are threatening.� The winds will not stop.

�� Sometimes he bumps into something, but he does not care.� Nothing matters any more.� People move out of his way in disgust.� Besides, they, too, are upset over the darkness ruining their day of celebration.

�� "Oh, God.� How can I face anyone now?� You hate me, God!� You hate me!"

�� God, too, is crying.� But Satan?� Satan is laughing.� Satan the accuser.� He's got hold of Judas.� God wants to forgive.� All he has to do it let him. [25]

�� "It's your fault, God.� You could have answered my prayers.� But you didn't.� I hate you, God!� I hate you!"

�� He rushes out through the Temple gates and past the guards.�

�� "Are you all right?" someone on the street calls out to him.

�� Judas pauses.� His hair down in his reddened eyes and stooping as though going through a dark, dark tunnel.

�� "See all the darkness?� No, I'm not all right.� I'm a dirty, miserable sinner.� No one will ever be able to forgive me.� Not even God...."

�� Judas, you've got it all wrong!

�� He staggers through the street and out the city gate.� He works his way across to a hill.� A hill from which he can see another hill.� Execution hill.

�� He stands and stares down at the valley below.� He goes to the edge of a cliff.� A small tree is there.� It will do....�

�� Judas!� Wait!� Just ask God to forgive you!

�� ....Judas slowly takes off his belt....

�� Judas, God can do the impossible!� He loves you!� He wants to save you!� Don't listen to Satan!�

�� ....forms it into a noose....

�� No, Judas!� Don't do this!� God can do the impossible!� He can forgive you!

�� ....and hangs himself. [26]

LIFE APPLICATION

1.�� Have you ever joined an organization, not because of their mission, but because you liked the people and you liked the way they treated you?� Compare this with the way people often choose their religion.

2.�� Judas had his own ideas how Jesus should handle things.� Do you disagree with God on the way he seems to be handling things in your own life?� Judas tried to change God's plan, which means Jesus would not have ended up being our final sacrificial lamb.� Think about a time you changed someone's plans and later realized it was a bad decision.

3.�� No matter how bad we mess up, God is willing to forgive.� He does not want anyone to perish ~ go to hell (I Peter 3:9).� This means he does not choose who will go to heaven and who will go to hell.� We are not puppets, not robots.� What have you done in your life that you know God would not approve of?� How will you change it?

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