It’s so easy to hate Judas.

Just look at John’s gospel and see what a Satan-possessed, money-grabber he was. He’s the poster boy for traitors and heavy metal bands, the scapegoat for all societal ills. But what if there’s another way to read the story - a way that actually makes Judas more human, more like you and me than we may be comfortable considering?

And here’s how that might go.

First we have to imagine that we don’t get an entirely accurate look at Judas just from reading John’s gospel, but we have to look at the other biblical texts that talk about him.

As a reminder, let’s recall that the Bible is God’s word through human hands, and we remember that experts tell us that the Gospels we have were not all written at once – but were written over time, with each author consulting the previous author for direction. For example, Mark was written first, then Matthew, Luke, and John, each subsequent author calling on the other for guidance.

           

Also, let’s consider that those first disciples who would have joined Jesus, especially Judas, would have been attracted to Jesus because of his compassion for the poor, his commitment to healing the hurting, and his desire to bring justice to the oppressed.

Then we consider that famous story which occurs late in Jesus’ ministry, of a woman coming to Jesus and pouring a $40,000 bottle of perfume on his feet. This certainly freaked out his disciples because Jesus didn’t stop this woman, but appeared to be enjoying it while everyone else thought ‘what a waste of money that could’ve gone to the poor!’ And that’s when Judas went to the Jewish leaders and said it was time to betray Jesus.

           

Now it’s important that in Mark, Judas does not ask for money – he just appears indignant. Anybody ever been disgusted by crooked TV preachers - those who appear to have sold out the gospel for money and possessions? Well Jesus, here enjoying a $40,000 foot massage and not complaining about it – may have just irked his disciples enough so that action needed to be taken. This may have been what Judas was thinking – and why he thought he needed to end it.

And we see this image of Judas change as the gospels evolve - so that when we get to the second oldest Gospel, Matthew, we see that Matthew says Judas now, did do it for money. Then we get to the third gospel, Luke, and not only does Judas now do it for money, but Satan enters into him at the moment of betrayal. Then we get to John, and not only is Judas doing it for money, and has Satan entered Judas, but Satan has entered Judas even before the betrayal.

           

The point is, that you and I can relate much more to Judas if we understand that he was a human – just like you and me – who thought he was doing the right thing by turning Jesus in rather than making him out to be some-money grubbing scapegoat for all of our heinous baggage.

Judas was human, like you and me, and woke up each day thinking he was doing what he was supposed to be doing. And Jesus’ compassion for him in this story is yet another example of the attitude we need to have for the people who voted differently than we did, who worship God differently than we do, and who hold opinions that are contrary to our own.

Making Judas into Satan makes it easier for us to also make those we don’t agree with into Satan. But if we consider Judas was just like us, this isn’t that easy.