Seeker

Wednesday of Holy Week has a focus on one of Jesus' hand-picked friends and companions, Judas called Iscariot, one of the 12 Apostles. Before his arrest, at Jesus' last supper with friends, Jesus handed to Judas a dipped crust of bread, a sign of special honour. Judas, "...after receiving the piece of bread...immediately went out. And it was night." John 13:30 NRSV   His purpose was to hand Jesus over to the religious authorities. Jesus handed him grace and favour and I am sure looked at him with love. Judas responded with betrayal. Since then, in many languages, the word 'Judas' has become synonymous with 'betrayer'. To be betrayed by an enemy is hard enough. To be betrayed by a friend is particularly painful. "It is not enemies who taunt me -    I could bear that:   It is not adversaries who deal insolently with me -   I could hide from them.   But it is you, my equal, my companion,   my familiar friend,  with whom I kept pl...