The Betrayal of Judas

Would anyone dare name their child Judas? Lately, in our country, many people like to invent new names for their sons and daughters, combining names in search of originality. Parents do not want to give their children common names. No one names a daughter María or Marta anymore, or a son José or Humberto. Everyone wants original names.

So it has become fashionable to spell the father's or mother's name backward, combine the two, or adapt a foreign name. The result is that there are many children around who will probably rush to change their names when they grow up. That is why I think the name Judas might stand out. No one else in the world has it. It is short and means “praise of God.” But who would dare use it?

What intrigues me is that Christians are not the only ones who reject it. That name disappeared from the world after Judas Iscariot bore it. What a sad story this man's is! Judas belonged to the select, tiny group of twelve apostles. During the three years Jesus spent preaching and teaching in Palestine, Judas was at his side. He heard all his stories, witnessed the miracles, and enjoyed the matchless character and life of the Son of God. Yet he ended up handing him over for thirty pieces of silver. His name thus became synonymous with the most reprehensible betrayal, and that is why no one uses it anymore.

I have always thought that Judas's greatest betrayal was the one he committed against his own soul. After all, Jesus was going to die on the cross whether Judas or someone else handed him over. But to live alongside the Son of God during his brief time in this world and still be lost is utterly senseless and deeply tragic! Judas understood nothing of what he heard or saw during the three years he spent with the Son of God. It is clear that he deeply regretted his mistake in betraying him and decided to hang himself, when what he needed to do was repent and ask for forgiveness. Had he done so, his story would be different. But sadly, Judas understood nothing, and so he denied himself the possibility of salvation.

No one bears the name Judas today, but many follow his path. They hear the gospel and live close to others who have experienced conversion; they are even moved at times by a sermon or a Christian testimony! But they think there is no hope for them. I hope that is not true of anyone reading these lines. No matter what you have done, God wants to forgive you. No matter how low we have fallen, there is always hope of forgiveness and restoration for anyone who seeks God with a repentant heart.

He never despises a contrite and humbled heart.

God bless you all!