Christ Loves even Judas

On Holy Thursday we rightfully commemorate Christ’s desired Mystical Supper which He had in the evening with His disciples. From the Anaphora of the Divine Liturgy of St Basil the Great which we celebrate today, we pray:

And as memorials of His saving Passion, He has left us these things which we have set forth according to His command. For when He was about to go forth to His voluntary and ever-memorable and life-giving death, in the night in which He gave Himself up for the life of the world, He took bread into His holy and pure hands, and when He had shown it to You, the God and Father, and had given thanks, and blessed it, and hallowed it, and broken it, He gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, saying: ‘Take, eat: This is my Body, which is broken for you, for the remission of sins.’ 

Likewise He took the cup of the fruit of the vine, and having mingled it and given thanks, having blessed it and hallowed it, He gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, saying: ‘Drink of it, all of you: this is My Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins.’ 

St Romanos the Melodist poetically states in one of his hymns that Christ not only gave Judas of the Mystical Bread but also servilely washed the feet of the man who would betray Him:

When he plotted his trickery, when he planned your murder – the one who had been loved and rejected you, called and abandoned you, crowned and insulted you – then you, compassionate, long-suffering, wanting to show the murderer your ineffable love for mankind, filled the basin, bowed your neck, became slave of slaves. And Judas presented you his feet for you to wash them, Redeemer. …

With water you washed the feet that ran to betray you, and you nourished with mystical food the enemy of your compassion, one stripped of your blessing. You exalted the pauper with graces, you promoted the pitiable with gifts, enriched him and made him blessed. (ON THE LIFE OF CHRIST: KONTAKIA, pp 115-116)

Christ did not deny Judas any of the blessings which He bestowed on all His chosen disciples. Christ called Judas to be one of the Twelve Apostles and He loved Judas to the end (John 13:1).  The Lord Jesus included Judas in everything which He shared with all of His other chosen ones. Christ shows mercy to all of us, even sinners who reject Him or turn against Him. The Lord tells us to do what He Himself did:

“But I say to you that hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.” (Luke 6:27-29)

Today as we proceed through Christ’s passion week, let us meditate on His mercy, love and goodness even towards His enemies, incorporating and internalizing His actions in how we relate to others.  Let us remember that no matter what the Holy Week hymns imply, Christ loved even Judas who betrayed Him, and forgave Judas as well (Luke 23:34).

As we petition in one Orthodox prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, in Your great mercy You prayed for the forgiveness of those who crucified You, and You taught us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. Forgive those who treat us unjustly and speak out against us; bless and guide them according to Your will. Take away any bitterness we may have in our hearts against them. Lord may Your forgiveness, goodness, and love be revealed in all of us, to Your praise and glory. Amen.