Nobody abandons God in an instant. It is much easier to fall away gradually, step by step, than to declare atheism or open rebellion all at once. We only remember Judas’ betrayal. We forget that he too was a disciple along with the others.
And probably for the longest time the other disciples were convinced that he was in their fellowship. It’s sometimes rather easy to fool others about our lives if we are clever and cunning; and the longer we practice deception, the more talented we become at it. Perhaps Judas himself even believed that he was doing the right thing, right up to the end.
And yet even in the upper room, Jesus still washed Judas’ feet along with the other disciples. Jesus shared the cup and the bread with Judas too. Jesus never abandons Judas, rather it is the other way around. The same is true for us – Jesus will never abandon us; if it happens, it will always be the other way around.
To tell you the truth, I have little interest in the "Gospel of Judas". I have enough trouble keeping up with the 4 that I already have.
Joe, the Archbishop of Canterbury has a very good article on the Gospel of Judas in the Sunday Mail this week. I've posted it on 'apprentice on the Way' - see http://timchesterton.blogspot.com/2006/04/rowan-williams-on-gospel-of-judas.html
Tim
Posted by: Tim | April 20, 2006 at 10:26 AM