When Jesus uttered the words, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”, did He include Judas? As
you consider the answer to this question, notice the subtleties of your body’s reactions. Are your feelings
betraying your thoughts or your words about forgiveness? When I asked myself if Jesus included Judas in His
statement of forgiveness, my initial thought was yes. However, something uncomfortable stirred in my body.
Often the feelings held in that part of Consciousness which is not readily available to reasoned thinking, often
shows up in the abdominal area, particularly the solar plexus.
Judas Must Be Forgiven – Is It Reasonable?
Intellectually I believe that Jesus forgave Judas on a number of levels, however on a visceral level, I am not at
all sure that I have forgiven Judas as a historical figure or as the representation of the people, thoughts or
tendencies that betray me, those I love or any other human being. Betrayal can leave deep and painful
wounds, emotional and physical.
Therefore is it not reasonable that we revile one, who through betrayal causes great harm, especially when the
result is the crucifixion of Jesus? However, throughout Jesus teachings He advocates forgiveness; He says,
“Forgive us our trespasses as we have forgiven those who trespassed against us. Moving forward by the
commands to love God with all that we are and to love each other as we love ourselves, let’s look at one way to
proceed.
Judas Must Be Forgiven – A Metaphysical Approach
In Charles Fillmore’s Metaphysical Bible Dictionary, we see that Judas represents the unredeemed life forces.
He exemplifies the aspect of humanity that catches a higher vision of life, yet tries to live into the vision using
low energy or underhanded methods. Although Judas, represents life, he never received Jesus’ promise of Life
in abundance, the purpose of His coming. The heart of the metaphysical approach is to recognize the energetic
patterns described in scripture and look for those patterns within ourselves. In the case of Judas, look for the
thoughts, feelings and tendencies that betray the best of who we are.
Judas Must Be Forgiven – Recognize Him and Forgive Him
Christ within us recognizes Judas before he acts. By adopting a regular spiritual regimen of prayer, meditation
and other spiritual practices such as Life Visioning, we can intervene before our lower tendencies betray us
and rob us of our dreams, hopes and self esteem. Forgiveness fills us with a transforming Love which can
change doubt into faith, fear into courage and jealousy into appreciation. What Judas tendency do you want to
forgive today?
“Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win,
By fearing to attempt”. -Shakespeare
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