Judas’ Redemption through Judah

Now I am able to see that it was jealousy that drove Judas to do what he did. He was jealous of the others, jealous of Peter and John and the other disciples. Jealous of Jesus even.... Felt like an outsider, not accepted into Jesus’ inner circle, not able to receive from Jesus. Put himself in contention with Jesus? When he questioned Mary's jar of nard, it was out of wanting significance for self, finding uniqueness and acceptance in the ability to think differently and question, to show off intelligence, to set himself apart from the other disciples, to gain notoriety in his own right. Perhaps then those in power will accept me. And so, Judas was setting himself apart from the crowd, from all those common folks, to seek his own glory...instead of finding his worth and significance in and through Jesus.

All he had to do was look to Jesus and accept what He was saying, not wanting more, not wanting less. Accepting Jesus as Lord and accepting whatever He did or said was right. Instead, he chose to criticize, see things from a different angle, an angle other than that of Christ. That kind of thinking leads you astray. Slowly making you think that you are right, that your way is higher, your way is better, and wanting glory for self. This leads to voicing and actions (stealing from the money box, because what you are doing is right, you are doing it for the right cause, right purpose, and you are the one in charge of the money anyways). Eventually leading to thinking and acting against Jesus, betraying Him.

This is why the story of Judah is so significant for redemption. Judah was jealous of his brother Joseph who had been given authority by Jacob, their father. Judah wanted what Joseph had the love, the affection and seal of their father. But he didn’t have it, so he tried to take it by selling their brother for 30 pieces of silver (same what Judas did). Story of Saul is also similar, being jealous of David, to whom authority was given. But Judah found redemption because he repented and came back and served his father Jacob and took responsibility for Benjamin and was willing to give up his life for his brother’s. In Genesis 38:26, Judah says “she is better than I” (Read the back story in Genesis).

 Finally, when Jacob pronounced his final blessing - Judah gets the lion’s share, where Judah was given the authority for his lineage - the scepter shall not depart from Judah. Yes, Judah wanted authority, he wanted greatness, and glory and all these things, but not on his terms, not when he wants it, or lording it over or by setting himself apart, but by being the least by humbling himself and serving in God's way. In the same way if Judas had humbled himself and served Jesus, the story would have been different. Or even after his sin, if he had repented and was willing to serve and remembered all the teachings of Jesus - and sought to follow them - his life would’ve been different, his lineage would’ve been different… Who knows God would’ve given him great authority?