Why not judas

"We are simultaneously sinner and saint, 100 percent of both, all the time."
-- Nadia Bolz-Weber, Pastrix.

Rev. Bolz-Weber is describing here an insight that runs throughout Lutheran theology, but she has a pithy way of putting things. Judas, like you, like me, was sinner and saint both. He did a terrible thing. And he was a disciple of Jesus. Both of those things. As Christians, we believe that Jesus' death covers all our sins, even the, well, sinful ones, like betrayal.

In my church's tradition, putting someone in the official calendar of saints means that they lived a life that exemplifies the teachings of Jesus in an extraordinary way. Judas is most known for betraying Jesus, so he's not going to make it into the calendar of people whose lives we should strive to imitate. Let's not imitate betrayal. But was he forgiven and loved by Jesus? I have every reason to think so. We see Peter (who did his own version of betrayal) being restored to a loving relationship with Jesus after the resurrection. Had Judas not ended his life, I expect we would have seen a similar story of Judas' restoration. Judas did not get to experience that in his earthly life, but he certainly showed remorse, and Jesus died for all of us, including Judas, "while we were yet sinners".

Saduj said:

Hey everyone this is my first time posting here so i apologize if im not formatting this correctly but i have a question for some Christians. Why is it that Judas Iscariot isn’t a saint? Now hear me out i get that he betrayed Jesus but he was still a loyal apostle no? And even after he betrayed Jesus he repents,

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No, he did not repent and seek forgiveness, he regretted and murdered himself.

Judas played an important role in the completion of Jesus' mission. It was the will of God, regardless of Judas' motive. He played His part (perhaps unknowingly) as did the rest.

timothyu said:

Judas played an important role in the completion of Jesus' mission.

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As did Satan (Lk 22:3-6).

timothyu said:

It was the will of God, regardless of Judas' motive. He played His part (perhaps unknowingly) as did the rest.

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As did the priests who had him murdered, and all of whom were responsible for their actions (Ac 7:51-52).

Clare73 said:

As did Satan (Lk 22:3-6).

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Of course. We are all players in the Father's will. It's always been about His will coming to fruition over adversity, and started in the Heavenly realm long before our universe was even created. Of course both rebellious sons of god and humans will play a part in their own demise.

"The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." (Matthew 26:24)

zippy2006 said:

but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born

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Ah yes, and the church leaders. Not only the Sanhedrin but the governmental church leaders 300 years later, both who betrayed the Kingdom. The buck doesn't stop at Judas. Its a team effort.