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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Persuasion (not about the book) (09/01/11)
Character: An adult male, approx. 20-40 years old
Set: The stage set should be minimal. A chair that the MC can use at his discretion is optional, but no other props.
Costume: The MC should wear either simple Biblical clothing, or all black.
Stage: Black out, with the MC standing center stage. As the lights come up, the MC is looking around frantically.


I don't know what I was thinking. I just... It's just that... I... (sigh) I’m sorry. Let me start at the beginning.

I remember when he first called to me. I had heard some of what he had done. There were these... rumors. I wanted to believe them. Some said he was the promised Messiah; the one who would save us from the Romans. I was a skeptic from the beginning, but I figured if I could be among his closest followers, I'd see through his guise. So I followed him.

At first, I fell right into the trap along with the other disciples. I still had my doubts, but I wanted to believe so badly. I kept waiting for him to make his move; for him to overthrow the Romans. Just last week he came into Jerusalem, and the people were shouting "Hosanna! Save us!" I thought maybe this was finally his time. Maybe he really was who he claimed to be. But he came riding in on... on a donkey. A donkey? Kings don't come riding into town on donkeys; they come blazing in on white horses, full of power. The Pharisees seemed to see this as well. They told Jesus to make everyone stop shouting. He said to them "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out."

After that, I realized that he had no intentions of overthrowing the Romans. I tried to explain this to the other disciples, but they tried to convince me that maybe he was going to save us from something else. What else do we need a savior for, if not for the Romans? I didn't understand.

An idea started to form in my head. I rejected it at first, but then... it was almost like Satan himself entered me. I couldn't get away. The more I tried to not think about it, the more I thought about it. The more I thought about it, the more enticing the idea became.

I was sitting with Jesus and the other disciples at dinner the other night. Jesus said that one of us would betray him. "Surely it is not I?" I asked. But he knew. I left. It was like I couldn't stop myself anymore. I had come this far...

I betrayed him with a kiss. A kiss.

I don't even know what to think anymore. I thought they'd just get him out of my hair... Make him confess and make everyone see that he wasn't who he claimed to be. I didn't think they would take it this far. I heard them condemn him, and immediately I realized what I had done.

I threw the silver back at the Chief Priests. "He's innocent!" I shouted. I ran from there as fast as I could. Thirty pieces of silver. Thirty lousy pieces. And it has all come to this?

I watched the crucifixion from a distance at first. They were mocking him. "If you are the son of God, come down from that cross." I shouted it with them, but not mockingly. I was pleading with him. "Please. Come down from that cross. Please... Just... undo what I have done."

I certainly hope he's the Messiah, because I think he's the only one who can fix this mess. I know I can't.

[MC drops head. Lights fade to black.]


*****
Luke 19:40 (NASB)
But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”
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This article has been read 1183 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
09/09/11
Good job...I enjoyed this. God Bless~
Linda Goergen
09/13/11
This was an interesting read and view of Judas...but to me, it doesn’t seem scriptural as it seems to me when I read the account in the bible it seems to imply that Judas hanged himself almost immediately after knowing that Jesus was condemned and I don’t think he lived to see Jesus on the cross. Matthew 27:3-5
Of course others may see it differently, as the exact timeline is certainly not precisely told.
Bryan Ridenour
09/14/11
Well written and an interesting interpretation. I too think Judas committed suicide immediately following his trip to the temple to toss away the silver. Nonetheless, this was a well written piece.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/14/11
I love this! I have imagined a very similar scene and often have a different view of Judas than others. You made him human and real. I don't know if he saw the crucifixion or not, but I believe if he did he would have reacted just like you said. This is one of my all time favorites.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/14/11
After reading Matthew 27 again Ithink it is quite possible that Judas witnessed the crucifixion. There are two words in my translation (NlV) the first is in verse 3 when Judas realized Jesus was condemned ~ that to means his sentence was already delivered

The second word is Meanwhile and then it goes on to describe Jesus' ordeal. Tome that could mean he was at the beginning of the end while Judas was in the temple. With the translations through the ages, it doesn't say whether Judas was there or not but it's quite possible he could have witnessed it. That wouldn't have been important to Matthew. In the end, I don't know that it matters because your story shows how human Judas was something we all have in common.
Gwen Plauche
09/14/11
Wow! I cannot remember ever reading a story from Judas' point of view. Great writing.
Catherine Maher
09/14/11
I enjoyed reading this. It helps us remember that Judas was a human just like us, who got deceived and led into evil, later to regret it terribly.
It held my interest too.
Helen Carr
09/14/11
This is so powerful. I can't help but feel sad for Judas; I so desperately want for him to stay alive long enough to repent to Jesus after the resurrection. I wonder what Jesus would say to him? Well done.
marcella franseen
09/15/11
I have often wondered if there was real repentance in Judas. The fact that he hung himself seems to point to real regret. This was a well written story.
Noel Mitaxa 
09/15/11
Very imaginative and courageous attempt to delve into Judas' thinking as he joined the disciples and continued with them - especially as you have only 750 words to wrap it in.
The hindsight of scripture gives us no clue as to what Jesus saw in him as he prayerfully called him to be with him. It's a safe bet that "Judas" will remain as a name to be avoided by all prospective parents.