Doomed from the Start?

Sometimes there are those moments in life when we look upon an event and say to ourselves, ‘they never had a chance’. Whether it is a sports team outmatched by their opponent, a small fishing boat sinking in a harsh winter storm or a locust infested field. We tend to look at the two sides and think, ‘where is the balance?’, ‘I can’t believe it happens this way’, and so on.

Deep inside I think we all crave balance. We all crave fairness and equality. We fight for the freedom of our wills and the right to exercise options. And most would not only fight for their own sense of balance but also for those whom might not be able to fight for themselves.

What do we do when we see events that, from our perspective, seem unfair? How do we react when someone is left out? Do we look back and wonder why? Do we continue on our way without a second thought?

Consider a man who was, through no application of his own, one of the twelve. We presume that he was somewhat religious. We presume that he saw something in the man from Galilee that made him think about change. Inner change. Social change. Economic change. Political change. Maybe he was an opportunist. Maybe he was a curious onlooker. One thing is for certain. When he was standing in a crowd of men and women, the Galilean picked him.

“…and chose from them twelve…”

And we know the rest of the story. He followed. He listened. Then certain issues began to creep out of him.

“Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”

Noble, but read on…

“He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief.”

And so our minds begin to change. The man chosen becomes a man who chooses. And we might confidently say that he turned his back on the Word. He is the one who passed over the opportunity for change. Maybe he could only foresee a change in his world. Not the world. And we write him off.

Then we come to a most interesting crossroad. We are allowed a glimpse into one of the most intimate of conversations. Jesus of Nazareth praying to the Father.

“While I was with them I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled”

That’s right. Jesus guarded all of them but one. Not one of them has been lost, except one.

Hearts stop. Breathing becomes silent. We re-read. Pause. Once more, “…not one of them has been lost except the one…”.

Was Judas doomed from the beginning? Was he chosen because it was determined that he would be the one to betray? Couldn’t they all have been able to betray?

More to follow…