I am a middle-aged South African woman, living in Johannesburg. I began writing poetry towards the end of May 2010. I love animals – sometimes more than people! I am back after a break. Thanks for still being here, if you are! Missed you! xxx
To be honest, I have never understood the ‘poor Judas’ ethos that C.S.Lewis and the Cambridge crowd seemed to have kicked off after WW1. The underlying theme (replayed in Jesus Christ Superstar) is usually “How would Christ have become famous without Judas betraying Him?” Personally, I do not know, but I am certain that the established powers threatened by Christ would have found a way eventually. And I do not believe that it took the betrayal of a close and trusted confidant to do it. Surely, the short of it is that Judas was a Covenant Breaker, a man who despite being obviously gifted and trusted and privileged to have such intimate access to the Perfect Well of Love and Mercy, let his jealously, ego and lust for personal power and glory overcome him so that he did the most despicable act against the most perfect of Persons. I like what Brian said, “we sell our soul far too often and far too cheap.” All of the riches of the world amassed at Judas’ feet and ten thousand lives to enjoy it in could not have paid for what he did. I do not hate his memory, but I despise what he did and will never find any justification for it. Nor do I not pity him for it…he bought his fate upon himself in his full faculties with full knowledge of the result.
Sorry if I have been long-winded and bellicose, but Covenant Breaking is a topic that I feel deeply about. It is heartbreaking in its cruelty.
Thanks so much for your comment, John. I find I cannot judge many things in this life because of all the inter-connectedness and ramifications of everything. I also find myself arguing both for and against the idea of predestination. I doubt too that our small brain could handle the massive complications and convolutions involved for us to begin to understand. Thank you so much for your input which is very thought-provoking!
Denise, as usual I wrote first in haste and reflected in rue. I apologize if I came across too strong and I appreciate your very kind reply. And of course I should have started off with the comment that I loved your poem…pithy and direct. Thank you for putting up with me!
Denise, I cannot respond to your last comment, so I will respond to this one. We are like the so polite cartoon characters Chip and Dale! “No, you first.” “No, I insist, you first!”
You are an incredibly gracious and kind person, I would never think that an inappropriate or unkind word would would drop form your lips or slip from your keyboard.
As to that feet first thing..it is a thing of the heart, where one feels deeply. This I know… 🙂
“Whereabouts is your prophet, what good is your gold, if you gain the whole wide world and lose your everlasting soul?” Lyrics of a folk song from my youth.. And perfectly fitting for your wonderful poem Denise..
25/03/2014 at 1:56 pm
Always pitied poor Judas for the role fate assigned to him and the part he was condemned to play.
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25/03/2014 at 2:33 pm
Me too, Carl. I think of him as sacrificing himself for Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice.
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25/03/2014 at 2:09 pm
ah, we sell our soul far too often
and far too cheap
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25/03/2014 at 2:37 pm
Yes, we do Brian.
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25/03/2014 at 3:02 pm
To be honest, I have never understood the ‘poor Judas’ ethos that C.S.Lewis and the Cambridge crowd seemed to have kicked off after WW1. The underlying theme (replayed in Jesus Christ Superstar) is usually “How would Christ have become famous without Judas betraying Him?” Personally, I do not know, but I am certain that the established powers threatened by Christ would have found a way eventually. And I do not believe that it took the betrayal of a close and trusted confidant to do it. Surely, the short of it is that Judas was a Covenant Breaker, a man who despite being obviously gifted and trusted and privileged to have such intimate access to the Perfect Well of Love and Mercy, let his jealously, ego and lust for personal power and glory overcome him so that he did the most despicable act against the most perfect of Persons. I like what Brian said, “we sell our soul far too often and far too cheap.” All of the riches of the world amassed at Judas’ feet and ten thousand lives to enjoy it in could not have paid for what he did. I do not hate his memory, but I despise what he did and will never find any justification for it. Nor do I not pity him for it…he bought his fate upon himself in his full faculties with full knowledge of the result.
Sorry if I have been long-winded and bellicose, but Covenant Breaking is a topic that I feel deeply about. It is heartbreaking in its cruelty.
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25/03/2014 at 3:26 pm
Thanks so much for your comment, John. I find I cannot judge many things in this life because of all the inter-connectedness and ramifications of everything. I also find myself arguing both for and against the idea of predestination. I doubt too that our small brain could handle the massive complications and convolutions involved for us to begin to understand. Thank you so much for your input which is very thought-provoking!
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25/03/2014 at 5:12 pm
Denise, as usual I wrote first in haste and reflected in rue. I apologize if I came across too strong and I appreciate your very kind reply. And of course I should have started off with the comment that I loved your poem…pithy and direct. Thank you for putting up with me!
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25/03/2014 at 6:11 pm
There is nothing to forgive, John. I’m usually the one who jumps in with both feet – only to fall flat on my face! 😀
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25/03/2014 at 7:19 pm
There, I’ve done it again. Sorry, John, I didn’t mean it the way it sounds!
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25/03/2014 at 9:23 pm
Denise, I cannot respond to your last comment, so I will respond to this one. We are like the so polite cartoon characters Chip and Dale! “No, you first.” “No, I insist, you first!”
You are an incredibly gracious and kind person, I would never think that an inappropriate or unkind word would would drop form your lips or slip from your keyboard.
As to that feet first thing..it is a thing of the heart, where one feels deeply. This I know… 🙂
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25/03/2014 at 4:41 pm
“Whereabouts is your prophet, what good is your gold, if you gain the whole wide world and lose your everlasting soul?” Lyrics of a folk song from my youth.. And perfectly fitting for your wonderful poem Denise..
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25/03/2014 at 6:14 pm
Thanks, Jake. I seem to remember something similar… 🙂
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31/03/2014 at 3:25 pm
Sad people do it everyday. Especially the government that’s suppose to have the best intrest of the people. Well written.
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