Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The teacher says, "My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples."'" The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover… (Mt 26:14-25)
Judas was one of the twelve. He went to the chief priests. He bargained with them. He looked for an opportunity. It was the feast of Unleavened Bread.
The betrayer does not come from outside. He is not a stranger. He does not even belong to the opposite party. He is one of the twelve. As soon as we hear the word twelve in connection with Jesus, we immediately recognize that the man referred to is a disciple. The man has been chosen by Jesus himself to be with him and he has shared his life and mission. (Jesus has sent the disciples two by two during his public ministry).
Judas, who was sharing the life of Jesus and the mission of Jesus, was also sharing his friendship with the opponents. This shows that he was not loyal to his master. His loyalty was not to the master (for he was willing to switch over to the other) but for a gain. He was after gain, advantage, success etc.
When there is no loyalty then there is business. One bargains. Interestingly, bargaining is done with the opponent. This is the politics. Playing politics in its negative sense implies seeking after advantage, gain, satisfaction for the self etc.
Now he looks for an opportunity. He could not create an opportunity; it is not in his control. Opportunity is provided to him. It is the time of Passover. It is here that God enters in. Opportunity is the time of Passover. God provides an opportunity and turns the wicked act into a saving event for all. The evil intention, planning, and the execution of it by Judas, finish up as good and a saving event when God enters in. God can and will make good out of evil. (HE has done it at creation and whenever he does it again it is a re-creation).
