The Enemy
Spoken Word by Sharlene Alice Provilus - https://www.sharleneprovilus.com/ and https://www.writespeakinspire.com/
Judas ate too.
These three words are convicting, powerful, and uncomfortable. Any Christian (myself included) who has ever heard the Easter story probably knows Judas was present at the last supper, which of course meant Judas shared a meal that night just like everyone else. We know this, but do we ever truly reflect on what that means? I know I didn’t until I heard it phrased in those three words—Judas ate too.
Most of the time when Christians think or speak about Judas, it almost seems like a curse. Judas was the betrayer. He was the one who sold the life of God incarnate for thirty pieces of silver, leading to the brutal torture, humiliation, and crucifixion of Jesus on the cross. Most movies and artistic depictions of Judas give him a strong connection to the devil, either possessed or at the very least with the devil pulling the strings. Most Christians agree, Judas is the enemy. The enemy of Christ, the enemy of God, and the enemy of the Church.
Jesus knew.
Jesus knew the very core of who Judas was and what Judas would do. Jesus knew the pain and humiliation he was about to endure resulting from Judas’ betrayal. And yet, Judas ate too. Judas was allowed to share the passover meal with Jesus and the rest of the disciples. Judas was invited to the table as family, a seat provided for him just like everyone else. Judas shared in the bread and the cup—the remembrance of the body and blood of Christ. More than that, Jesus washed the feet of Judas immediately preceding the meal. Jesus acted as a servant for the one he knew would betray him. Throughout this entire evening which we commonly refer to as the last supper, Jesus spoke of and acted out his love for each of his disciples, including Judas. Jesus shows us in a very convicting way what he truly meant when he commanded us to “love your enemy.”
You see, Judas wasn’t actually the one who put Jesus on the cross that day—it was us. Jesus died for our sins. Each and every one of us is culpable in the crucifixion of Jesus. Throughout our lives each of us at times fill the roles of the betrayer or the greedy or the denyer. We deny Jesus every time we choose not to speak up for our faith. We lose ourselves in greed when we prioritize money too highly in our lives. We betray Jesus every time we turn away in sin. Each of us have been that same “enemy” we see in the character of Judas. We are all fallen and broken just like Judas was. Why then do we continue to demonize Judas? Why then do we try to demonize others we see as bad or sinful or even just different? Is it because we are trying so hard not to see those same qualities in our own lives?
The good news is that Jesus loves us in that same real and convicting way that he loved Judas. We are all broken and fallen and messed up, and yet, that’s the very reason why Jesus willingly went to the cross. Jesus loves each and every one of us despite the things we do—he loves us enough to have endured crucifixion and to overcome death. Jesus broke the bread and shared the cup that night with all of his disciples, none excluded. He broke the bread and shared the cup with all of those who chose to follow him, us included.
If we are to truly model our lives on the life and ministry of Christ, it means that we too must look our own enemies in the face and truly love them. Love that means more than simply forgiving them for what they have done—love that means washing their feet and sharing a meal even while understanding the danger they pose to us. This type of love is difficult. This type of love is uncomfortable. This type of love is sacrificial. This is the type of love that always remembers:
Judas ate too.