Easter celebration is one of my favorite. I grew up with so many particular cultural traditions, which I love passing onto my girls. I also love having deeper conversations with them about the true meaning of this holiday. As we celebrated every part of Easter, from Palm Sunday to Last Supper, to Good Friday and the Resurrection, a valuable observation evolved.
Most of us are familiar with Judas Iscariot and his betrayal of Jesus. What gets overlooked, however, is Christ’s love for Judas despite the outcome. He chose Judas as one of the twelve disciples; He mentored him and treated him no different than everyone else. He displayed the same love to Judas as anyone else, knowing full well what would happen.
Can you do that? Love someone unconditionally, knowing it will not end well for you? I don’t think I can display the same character Jesus did. Accepting someone, loving them, and treating them equally, knowing it will result in my demise, is not something I think I can do. Can you?
We are called to love one another despite our skin color, religion, background, and everything else that makes us unique. And yet, we find it challenging. We lay conditions and parameters around our love because we consider our well-being when we choose to love someone. Protecting ourselves is a bigger priority.
How well do you love your Judas? Does your love come with stipulations, or is it unconditional despite the outcome?
