The Trusted One

Who do you think of when you read this post title?

Chances are you didn't think of Judas Iscariot. At least, I know I don't think of Judas in this way. The "trusted one?" My whole life I've been brought up seeing Judas as a schemer who was plotting all of these things against Jesus, but who was Judas really? He took care of the money, had a throne in Heaven waiting for him, was a dear friend of Jesus, and yes, betrayed Him as well.

I don't believe that Judas has a horrible man. I'm starting to see that Judas was a dreamer, he lived in a fantasy world of ministry and power that didn't exist. He saw Jesus's message how he wanted to see it rather than how it really was...I honestly wonder if he thought he was helping Jesus by pushing the process along. There is no fact to back this up but it makes sense to me that someone so close and dear to Jesus would only want to see Him rule His kingdom sooner.

Listening to the message, Judas Had a Throne, by Winkie Pratney really got me thinking about these things. If Judas would have gone back and asked Jesus for forgiveness would he have still hung himself? Would he have been on that throne in Heaven? When the women saw the angel at the tomb would he have said to go tell the disciples, Peter, and Judas? (Mark 16:7) I'd like to think that he would have been reassured just like Peter was. Betrayal is something that we do daily and are forgiven daily. These are just thoughts and something that I am processing right now.

So in my life, how have I betrayed Jesus and have I been viewing Him in my own way or in truth? Is there a fantasy world I live in rather than reality? We've been doing a lot of reexamining in our lives lately and I'm really starting to see things for what they really are and for who I really am. My Best Friend saved me by grace.