Was Judas a hero and most trusted disciple, or a traitor?

Was Judas a hero and most trusted disciple, or a traitor?

Most people see Judas as a traitor in the myth of the crucifixion. Few recognize that Jesus was asking his most trusted disciple, Judas, to turn him over to the Jews and Pilate.

Most are unaware of the meaning of the sop that Jesus gave to Judas at the last supper. Without knowing the definition and meaning of that word, it is not surprising that most think of Judas as they do. The completely wrong way.

A sop is basically a gift or conciliatory bribe, something that seals a deal. That is what Jesus gave Judas, his most trusted disciple. We know he was Jesus’ favorite because he was Jesus’ banker.

Dictionary reference for sop.
Something that is done or given to someone in order to prevent trouble, gain support, etc.
A conciliatory gift or bribe.

Without the betrayal, Jesus would not have died for us, as Yahweh had planned, and scriptures say that Judas also had no choice as that would have derailed god’s plan.

If any blame for Jesus’ death is to be given, it must be to Yahweh, whose plan, scriptures say must come to pass. Meaning that Yahweh would have to control all the players including Judas.

Scriptures show Jesus persuading Judas to do what he would not ordinarily have thought of doing.

Judas believed that Jesus was the messiah who was to rise again to lead the Jews. This lie imposed by Yahweh.

Was Judas a good man doing Jesus’ will or was he a traitor?

Regards
DL

Matthew 26
23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

For someone that pretends not to take the Bible seriously, stating it a myth - you sure give a lot of time and thought to it.

I don’t quite get how Judas is key to the story. (Other than to fulfill some prophecies).
In many ways Judas seems unnecessary. If Jesus was such a PITA to the religious leaders at the time, surely they wouldn’t need Judas to point him out for them.

John 18
29So Pilate went out to them and asked, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?”

30“If He were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed Him over to you.”

31“You take Him and judge Him by your own law,” Pilate told them.

“We are not permitted to execute anyone,” the Jews replied. 32This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.b

I don’t get your point. Are you saying that there was no one the religious leaders could get to identify Jesus other than resorting to bribing Judas? Doesn’t seem plausible.

Why wouldn’t one of the temple priests be happy to point the finger? As you pointed out, they were there immediately after to accuse him at the hearing.

Apparently it wasn't easy to find Jesus without bribing Judas, otherwise why would they bribe him?

I had intended to say the same thing (as Leadfoot) to GIA, only thought it pointless, seeing as he only sees what he wants to see.

Any of the religious leaders could have done the same (point the finger at Jesus to the Romans). They could have done so before he went into hiding, or the other options was that Jesus was to stay in hiding forever (which seems highly unlikely). Or simply for Jesus to make himself available to Gods plan to be carried out. Judas wasn't necessary to the 'God's plan'.

My point is that it ultimately doesn't matter whether they are factual, fables, or some mixture; because what really matters is the spiritual messages and the truth of those. Just as with the boy who cried wolf story, it doesn't ultimately matter whether the story corresponds with factual historical events or whether it was just made up to convey the message that liars aren't believed when they try to tell the truth, because either way the message is true.

So if you can't get on board with the story of Jesus as a factual historical story, I would still highly recommend accepting it for the sake of spiritual salvation, because there's no other escape from sin.

People often try to argue that the stories are inconsistent and/or that they have to be made up; and other people insist that they are stories of factual people and events.

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My point is that it ultimately doesn't matter whether they are factual, fables, or some mixture; because what really matters is the spiritual messages and the truth of those. Just as with the boy who cried wolf story, it doesn't ultimately matter whether the story corresponds with factual historical events or whether it was just made up to convey the message that liars aren't believed when they try to tell the truth, because either way the message is true.

So if you can't get on board with the story of Jesus as a factual historical story, I would still highly recommend accepting it for the sake of spiritual salvation, because there's no other escape from sin.

While I accept almost all of what you say in the first paragraph - You and I see the path to spiritual understanding in very different ways.

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People often try to argue that the stories are inconsistent and/or that they have to be made up; and other people insist that they are stories of factual people and events.

You are of course assuming that was my intent. It wasn’t.

But while we are trading assumptions, here is why I think your approach to debating the Bible is fucked up. You make **** up On the spur of the moment to fit what somebody else taught you instead of thinking for yourself. (Then throw in a few verses for window dressing.)

It is an interesting question about what Judas' motivations were. I doubt we will know here. The true story is no doubt deeply embedded with Judas' own personal struggles to understand. The book is telling Jesus' message, there are lots of other's stories not recorded there.