Each Lenten season we come to the same troubling question. Why did Judas betray his Master? Thirty pieces of silver was a paltry sum. Why go to the trouble? There is evidence to indicate that before the betrayal, Judas had a place of honor among the disciples. The fact that he was the treasurer shows he was trusted. John 13:29 indicates that he may have been reclining alongside Jesus at the last supper. He was in a place of honor. Why in Heaven's name did he do it? What caused him to betray innocent blood?

WAS IT DISILLUSIONMENT? Certainly that must have been part of it. Jesus is never the kind of Messiah people expect him to be. Immediately before telling us of Judas' betrayal, Mark tells us about an important moment at the house of Simon the leper in Bethany. As Jesus was sitting at the…