Stephanus - Chapter 2 - The Betrayal

He was the last to arrive, and the first to depart.

It was Nisan 15, the traditional preparation day before the Passover celebration meal and he had busied himself during the day scheming to fulfill his pact with the Sanhedrin.

And yet, as dusk fell and Passover had begun, and he did not find himself any closer to success. He had eaten little throughout the day, because there simply had been no more than meager scraps. This made him a bit anxious and irritable.

All the others were gathered at the table in the upper room as the Passover meal commenced. Their Rabbi was seated in the midst of them, the eleven others gathered around him. Judas Iscariot seated himself at the table, while the Apostle next to him yielded his position. There was no time to exchange words between them as the teacher began speaking, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I shall not eat it again until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God (Lk 22: 15~17).

The teacher continued, once again speaking of his body and blood through the sharing of the bread and wine at the table. Judas barely listened, his empty stomach and restless thoughts drowning out the words.

Then Y’shua’s tone shifted, “And yet behold, the hand of the one who is to betray me is with me on the table” immediately, Judas felt his face flush.

“How could he have known?!” Judas wondered to himself, “I have been so careful!” Then he thought, “Y’shua must have spies working for him. But, who would have said something?!” he quizzed himself suspiciously.

Then emotions of hurt set in, “Why,…. he doesn’t even trust me, and what about the others? I’m as good as they are!”

Meanwhile an argument between the Apostles had broken out as to who would betray Y’shua? but, Judas remained silent, fearing his own voice would betray him. While all these things took place and thoughts swirled around in his mind, Judas felt suffocated by an intense need to leave. As he slipped out, unnoticed, his mind was a storm of guilt and justification.

As he hurried through the streets of Jerusalem, not even sure of where he was going, a High Priest guard intercepted him. The guard immediately broke out into a complaint concerning his whereabouts? “The Sanhedrin have not heard from you for some time, Sicarii.” the guard growled, “and they expect results!”

“For some time?” Judas bristled mentally, “It’s only been 2 days since we met.” he reminded the guard, “Our agreement was I would deliver Y’shua to you when I had the ‘opportunity’, meaning none of the usual large crowds that follow him around. And that condition has not existed!”

“As I said the Sanhedrin expect results and they sent me out to bring you in. And that is where we are going!” the guard thrust Judas in the direction.

Judas was less than excited to be dragged through the streets of Jerusalem by a thug, but he saw no alternatives. How did I end up, here? he wondered in his thoughts. Y’shua is certainly a gifted man with many followers, and he made me one of his Apostles. Why they even appointed me treasurer out of all of them! Why didn’t they pick Matthew, the tax collector? He is far more skilled at skimming money off the top when it comes to finances, and all tax collectors do it! Before I knew it there was a great deal of money missing from the purse. I plan on paying it back, but, it has gotten so big!

This is the right thing to do! He assured himself. Deal with the Council, and they will have Y’shua banished from Jerusalem, I’ll pay back the treasury, and we will move elsewhere from here. He had witnessed many of Y’shua’s miracles and there was still opportunities outside of Jerusalem, he concluded.

As Judas was lost in his thoughts, he suddenly observed what was going on around him and realized they had been joined by additional guards advancing from other parts of the city. What’s this? He thought, they sent out an entire detachment to find him? This did not quell his anxiety, as a matter of his discomfort heightened.

The Passover meal with Y’shua and the other Apostles had been held in the Essence Quarter, so it was only a brief walk to arrive at the High Priest compound.

The Sanhedrin had gathered, and noisily expressed their displeasure with Judas, “Where is Y’shua? You dog!! You assassin! You murderer!!” came the calls.

“Here are your 30 pieces of silver, Sicarii, where is Y’shua?” joined Annas, extending a purse to Judas.

Judas clutched the money bag while attempting to defend himself. “I told you I am looking for an opportunity to deliver him to you!” he pleaded.

“Times up!” Annas declared. “Guard, take this swindler to the dungeon, let’s see if he blends in with the rats!?”

“No!!” cried Judas. “I-I-I will take you to him, tonight!” he stammered.

“Where?” Annas questioned.

“I told you, I know his habits, they have had the Passover meal, not far from here, and he will lead his Apostles to the ‘Garden of Gethsemane’ for prayer and fellowship before they retire.” “There will not be any large crowds to contend with and you will be able to subdue him.”

“Well, why did it take you so long to tell us this?!” they complained. “We could have been prepared!”

Annas started shouting orders to the guards and attendants, “Quickly, now, let us get prepared to leave in force at once.”

“Judas will lead the way!” he added.

The soldiers, guards and others scurried about grabbing lanterns, weapons, and torches. Judas became quite intimidated at the sight of this! Many grabbed body amour, battle helmets, and war dress.

“Is all this necessary?” Judas said in bewilderment. “These people are just average Jews, they are not warriors or mercenaries!”

“There’s no telling what we will encounter?” objected Annas to Judas’ pleas. “It is entirely possible that Y’shua will be able to call up an army of resistance.”

“What army?” Judas reasoned without saying it out loud.

Judas was grabbed by the arms and rushed out the chamber’s entrance. Followed by officials from the Chief Priests and Pharisees, a detachment of soldiers, and servants of the Greater Sanhedrin Council. They departed from the Essence Quarter traveling on foot toward the east side of Jerusalem. They were brutal in their progress, and Judas observed that several guards were drunk and stoned. They ruthlessly pushed people and property out of their way as they carelessly pursued their destination. Those that had the opportunity to avoid their march were assailed by profanity and name calling. The aggressors were obviously enjoying themselves in their hostile maneuvers! An old man crossing the street was trampled in their march, and his loss did not raise a single eyebrow! “The old fool! a soldier complained. "The streets are for access and need to be clear!"

Once they entered the Kidron Valley they marched north towards the garden on the far-north side of the Mount of Olives. At the garden entrance, Judas, signaled to halt their progress. He addressed the Tribune from the detachment. “I will approach ahead of you, and once I find Y’shua I will embrace him and kiss him on his cheek. That’s when you can move in!”

Cautiously, Judas ventured into the garden. There were several Apostles laying about comfortably, sound asleep. To much wine at dinner, Judas amused. Y’shua appeared out of the darkness. Judas approached, embraced, and kissed Y'shua as planned, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Lk 22: 48) Y'shua asked him.

The detachment moved in. Y'shua said, “Whom are you looking for? They answered him, "Y'shua the Nazorean." he said to them, "I AM". When he said "I AM" they turned away and fell to the ground. So, he again asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" They said "Y'shua the Nazorean." Y'shua answered, " I have told you I AM. So if you are looking for me let these men go." (Jn 18 : 5~9)

Much to Judas’ surprise, Simon Peter, the Apostle closest to Y’shua grabbed a sword and attacked one of the servants cutting off his right ear! Then Y'shua touched the servant’s ear and healed him. (Lk 22: 51)

But, Y’shua ordered Peter to scabbier his sword saying, “Stop, no more of this! Shall I not drink the cup my Father gave me?" (Jn 18: 11)

Y’shua spoke to those present, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?(Lk 22: 52) Day after day I was with you in the temple area, and you did not seize me; but this is your hour, the time for the power of darkness.” (Lk 22: 53)

By the light of the torches and lanterns brought by the crowd, Judas watched in horror and shock as they beat Y’shua needlessly, as if he resisted! Once they felt assured that they had subdued him, they shackled both his arms and legs.

Was that necessary? Somehow, Judas sensed that Y’shua had allowed them to do this, almost, as if Y’shua’s passive actions where intentional. And what about that comment he made about the Temple? Y’shua certainly had not hid or avoided the Sanhedrin, he spoke almost daily in the broad daylight!

Then Judas pondered some of the last words Y’shua spoke: ‘The time for the power of darkness?’ which made his heart sink!

But, I’m a good man! I have been raised by faithful Jewish parents, and we follow the law! I am not a part of this darkness he speaks of! With this final agonizing thought swirling in his head, Judas Iscariot felt more confused than ever, as he escaped into the darkness of the night.

“Now, where on earth has Judas Iscariot run off to?” the Tribune complained. “We could use him as a witness during the trial!”

They then delivered Y'shua to the Sanhedrin Council with Judas Iscariot no where to be found.