Judas was a very popular name in Israel at the time of Jesus. It was a name of historical significance, and many people named their children Judas. And Judas, in our view, has a very different opinion; in fact, anyone who is disloyal is a “Judas”.

Holy week brings a renewed focus upon Judas, the one who handled the money, the one who hoped greatly that Jesus would overthrow the Romans and establish Israel in a renewed strength, a kind of “make Israel great again”.

Let’s pick up the book of Matthew.

“Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders of the people met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death. ² Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.

³ When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. ⁴ “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”

“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”

Regret is a terrible thing, for it comes about when, having made an action, we recognize that we were wrong, maybe even knew better, and continued to move towards that action without regard for the potential outcome. For Judas, once he sees Jesus bound and taken away, he begins to regret his action.

And do those to whom he bound himself in this agreement care? Of course not, he did his part, and they are happy with his betrayal! He has played his part, and now he is disposable.

Judas calls out our own motives. Are we followers of Jesus, or just attracted by his persona? Are we wanting to be in his circle for the benefit of being near the Son of God, or are we willing to do what Jesus said, “take up your cross and follow me”?

Judas enjoyed being one of the 12 but wasn’t willing to give up his own agenda.

Holy week calls us to walk more slowly through the events leading up to the high holiday of Easter Sunday and the resurrection. And we are faced with ourselves at times. Judas, Peter, John, Mary, Nichodemus…in each of these people we see something of ourselves.