Story of Judas is legit

Media types at this time of the year are always coming up with some sort of purported new slant on an old story. At this Easter season, they talk about Judas. From some questionable documents uncovered several years ago in Egypt and now just coming to public attention, Jesus directed Judas to do what he did: betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Judas was just carrying out orders previously given to him by Jesus. If that were the case, we would all start naming our boys Judas in addition to Peter, James, and John.

Most scholars discount the new revelations assigning the Book of Judas to a body of literature called apocryphal (very doubtful, maybe perhaps like a historical novel). It is estimated it was written between 130 and 170 AD while most conservative Bible scholars fix the time of the writing of the four gospels between 60 and 90 AD. The good rule of thumb is always trust your earlier dates.

I believe the accounts given to us as Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They have stood the test of time and inspiration. Millions and millions have come to a transformation in their lives through trusting these four accounts of the life of the most celebrated man in history, Jesus.

Perhaps all the Judas talk is just one way to steal our attention away from Jesus. After all, he is the living Savior. It was his birth that split our calendars into BC and AD. He’s the reason for the Christmas sales and season. And he is the one who rose from the dead, triumphant over the grave and death, providing for each of us the same path. Death is no longer the victor.

The new Judas talk is an attempt at revisionist history. At their whim, people just rewrite history. They have done it for the beginnings of America. The revisionist historian now tells us America did not have Christian roots and our forefathers did not believe in Christ and an immanent God.

No, Judas betrayed Jesus. He was lured by money and perhaps some jealousy. But he did it. Yes, it was prophesied, but it was Judas’ decision to turn on Jesus after three years of following this master teacher and miracle worker.

The real Judas reminds each of us that there’s potential in each one of us to betray the very ones we love and who have done so much for us. If we can rebuild his character perhaps we don’t have to think we too are capable of such a crime against goodness and light.

But praise the Living God! Easter is all about that regardless of the Judas types, the Pilate types. Regardless of organized religion, and regardless of the government, Jesus conquered them all. No one would do him in. He did not lift a finger in battle, but beat them all at the empty tomb.