Judas – Artist unknown
Betrayer
I never fit with the eleven.
Fishermen, tax collector, even the Carpenter
lack my calculating mind.
Obviously now a push is needed
to make Him show Himself
for who He is.
The others will thank me
from their places by the throne
even the J. brothers—
getting their mother
to ask for left and right!
—how laughable.
Heavy bag
will soon be heavier still
this night
I alone have courage
to take their destinies
into my hands.
© 2013 by Violet Nesdoly
***************
Today is Good Friday, the day Christians all over the world commemorate the death of Christ. The story includes one of Jesus’ disciples—Judas— betraying Him to the Romans with a kiss in exchange for 30 pieces of silver from the chief priests and scribes.
The Bible gives us this chilling explanation of why he did this: “Then Satan entered Judas…” (Luke 22:3). How he rationalized his actions and what he hoped he would get out of it is not told us. “Betrayal” is one scenario I’ve imagined.
This poem is part of Poetry Friday, hosted today by Mary Lee Hahn at A Year of Reading
Violet Nesdoly / poems 
mattforrest
March 29, 2013 at 9:21 am
Interesting POV you used…I think it’s more powerful this way. Have a Happy Easter!
LikeLike
Violet Nesdoly
March 29, 2013 at 10:12 am
Thank you so much, Matt. I’m glad you think the POV works. I find, and maybe you do too, that trying to put myself into another person’s head gives me insights I wouldn’t otherwise have. Wishing you and yours a Happy Easter too, Matt!
LikeLike
Catherine Johnson
March 29, 2013 at 9:50 am
Love this, Violet. I especially like the heavy bag part.
LikeLike
Violet Nesdoly
March 29, 2013 at 10:15 am
Thank you so much, Catherine! In the ‘heavy bag’ part I was trying to pick up on the aspect of Judas’s love of money, though there was lots more going on inside him at that time too, I think.
LikeLike
Catherine Johnson
March 29, 2013 at 11:42 am
Of course from his p.o.v. it wouldn’t be heavy with guilt and betrayal…yet
LikeLike
Joy Acey
March 29, 2013 at 9:55 am
Another great poem, Violet. Hope you have a good Friday and great Easter.
LikeLike
Violet Nesdoly
March 29, 2013 at 10:16 am
Thank you so much, Joy! I wish for you a blessed Good Friday and Easter as well.
LikeLike
haitiruth
March 29, 2013 at 2:59 pm
Thanks for this. I think he must have found Jesus hopelessly idealistic, and your practical scenario is certainly plausible.
LikeLike
Linda at Teacher Dance
March 29, 2013 at 4:48 pm
It’s a useful and common argument for others, too, to think that they know best, they will act in ways that are better. I liked that you chose the first person. It does bring more into our thoughts of Judas. Thank you, Violet.
LikeLike
Violet Nesdoly
March 30, 2013 at 9:20 am
Thanks Linda. I find I often get insights when I try to speak in mu subject’s voice. There’s something about putting ourselves in others shoes that opens our minds and hearts to their point of view.
LikeLike
Violet Nesdoly
March 30, 2013 at 9:21 am
I agree Ruth – about the disciples finding Jesus ‘hopelessly idealistic.’ They didn’t ‘get’ so much… but I’m not sure I would have done any better.
LikeLike