My freshman year here, at Ball Statue University, the Department of Theater and Dance put on a controversial production called The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. It was mind blowing. It questioned fate, Hell, saints, who we deem as blasphemous, and so many more things we question constantly. It certainly had me thinking and I still think back to it and just sit and wonder about it forever.
The play took place in Purgatory (for more information about Purgatory, visit here). Judas was in a corner, and a judge sat center, upstage. A lawyer of that life brought his case out and decided to hold a trial defending him. Another lawyer against him. We heard testimonies from Saints and sinners alike. We even heard from the Devil himself. The Saints broke the stereotypes and the Devil was a dapper man. Ultimately, Judas' case is ongoing. For there isn't anyone holding him in Purgatory. It's his guilt. He holds himself prisoner. Jesus comes to him at the end and holds him, showing his forgiveness. It's really a great play and I recommend it to all, religious or not!
This was a crazy (but stellar and awesome) play that totally turned my world of thinking upside down. I guess I assumed that Judas was a bad guy since he betrayed Jesus, so he goes to Hell, right? I mean, obviously. He's like the evil one in the New Testament, right? No one ever wants to be like Judas. Right?
It is believed that Judas and Jesus were the best of friends. There was a boundless trust and love going on between them. But, Mary, why would he betray Him? Well, I asked my pastor and Google and this book named "Zealot" and the Bible and cool things. Historically speaking, everyone thought the Messiah was going to do things like overthrow the current kind of government and win the war. He was going to fight with the power of all things and was going to free them! But how crazy that this guy comes to town with miracles like healing the sick and loving eternally. He had all of the marks of a messiah, but where's the force?
Judas, although faithful and loved Jesus, turned him in for money. I know how that sounds. But this was a guy who had this other guy constantly with him who was someone the government wanted and willing to pay for. Talk about torn. Do you stay with this guy who seems different than the other messiahs that came before him in that he is healing people with a touch, but has no force to free the people like promised (and expected) from a messiah? Or do you obey the law and turn him in (and it pays a little)?
I bet Jesus understood, too. "Betray" is such a huge, massive word and I bet it didn't feel like he was betraying Him until it was too late. For the moment Judas realized what he'd done, he threw the money back and did everything, everything in his power to stop the happenings from happening. This is huge. He did what seemed to be lawfully right and risks everything to try to take back what he'd done and what others saw as right. His guilt overcame him and he hanged himself. But I'd say Jesus doesn't blame him. Not at all. I'd bet Jesus actually still loves him and forgave him before the whole thing even happened.
That's the power of His love. That's how powerful love is. To forgive someone wholly and without debt. Without guilt. For when we feel guilt, we are kept prisoner. When someone forgives you, take the burden out of your heart for you're forgiven. And how beautiful is that?
The play took place in Purgatory (for more information about Purgatory, visit here). Judas was in a corner, and a judge sat center, upstage. A lawyer of that life brought his case out and decided to hold a trial defending him. Another lawyer against him. We heard testimonies from Saints and sinners alike. We even heard from the Devil himself. The Saints broke the stereotypes and the Devil was a dapper man. Ultimately, Judas' case is ongoing. For there isn't anyone holding him in Purgatory. It's his guilt. He holds himself prisoner. Jesus comes to him at the end and holds him, showing his forgiveness. It's really a great play and I recommend it to all, religious or not!
This was a crazy (but stellar and awesome) play that totally turned my world of thinking upside down. I guess I assumed that Judas was a bad guy since he betrayed Jesus, so he goes to Hell, right? I mean, obviously. He's like the evil one in the New Testament, right? No one ever wants to be like Judas. Right?
It is believed that Judas and Jesus were the best of friends. There was a boundless trust and love going on between them. But, Mary, why would he betray Him? Well, I asked my pastor and Google and this book named "Zealot" and the Bible and cool things. Historically speaking, everyone thought the Messiah was going to do things like overthrow the current kind of government and win the war. He was going to fight with the power of all things and was going to free them! But how crazy that this guy comes to town with miracles like healing the sick and loving eternally. He had all of the marks of a messiah, but where's the force?
Judas, although faithful and loved Jesus, turned him in for money. I know how that sounds. But this was a guy who had this other guy constantly with him who was someone the government wanted and willing to pay for. Talk about torn. Do you stay with this guy who seems different than the other messiahs that came before him in that he is healing people with a touch, but has no force to free the people like promised (and expected) from a messiah? Or do you obey the law and turn him in (and it pays a little)?
I bet Jesus understood, too. "Betray" is such a huge, massive word and I bet it didn't feel like he was betraying Him until it was too late. For the moment Judas realized what he'd done, he threw the money back and did everything, everything in his power to stop the happenings from happening. This is huge. He did what seemed to be lawfully right and risks everything to try to take back what he'd done and what others saw as right. His guilt overcame him and he hanged himself. But I'd say Jesus doesn't blame him. Not at all. I'd bet Jesus actually still loves him and forgave him before the whole thing even happened.
That's the power of His love. That's how powerful love is. To forgive someone wholly and without debt. Without guilt. For when we feel guilt, we are kept prisoner. When someone forgives you, take the burden out of your heart for you're forgiven. And how beautiful is that?
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