A Roman Lawyer in Jerusalem | Page 3

had only for this man, This Judas, words of scorn and bitter hate. Mark now the different view that Lysias took, When, urged by me, his story thus he told:
"Some say that Judas was a base, vile man Who sold his master for the meanest bribe; Others again insist he was most right, Giving to justice one who merely sought To overthrow the Church, subvert the law, And on its ruins build himself a throne. I, knowing Judas--and none better knew-- I, caring naught for Christus more than him, But hating lies, the simple truth will tell, No man can say I ever told a lie-- I am too old now to begin. Besides, The truth is truth, and let the truth be told. Judas, I say, alone of all the men Who followed Christus thought that he was God. Some feared him for his power of miracles; Some were attracted by a sort of spell; Some followed him to hear his sweet, clear voice And gentle speaking, hearing with their ears, And knowing not the sense of what he said-- But one alone believed he was the Lord, The true Messiah of the Jews. That one Was Judas--he alone of all the crowd.
"He to betray his master for a bribe! He last of all. I say this friend of mine Was brave when all the rest were cowards there. His was a noble nature: frank and bold, Almost to rashness bold, yet sensitive, Who took his dreams for firm realities-- Who once believing, all in all believed-- Rushing at obstacles and scorning risk, Ready to venture all to gain his end, No compromise or subterfuge for him, His act went from his thought straight to the butt; Yet with this ardent and impatient mood Was joined a visionary mind that took Impressions quick and fine, yet deep as life. Therefore it was that in this subtle soil The master's words took root and grew and flowered. He heard and followed and obeyed; his faith was serious, earnest, real--winged to fly; He doubted not, like some who walked with him-- Desired no first place, as did James and John-- Denied him not with Peter: not to him His master said, 'Away! thou'rt an offence; Get thee behind me, Satan!'--not to him, 'Am I so long with ye who know me not?' Fixed as a rock, untempted by desires To gain the post of honor when his Lord Should come to rule--chosen from out the midst Of six-score men as his apostle--then Again selected to the place of trust, Unselfish, honest, he among them walked.
"That he was honest, and was so esteemed, Is plain from this--they chose him out of all To bear the common purse, and take and pay. John says he was a thief, because he grudged The price that for some ointment once was paid, And urged 'twere better given to the poor. But did not Christus ever for the poor Lift up his voice--'Give all things to the poor! Sell everything and give all to the poor!' And Judas, who believed, not made believe, Used his own words, and Christus, who excused The gift because of love, rebuked him not. Thief! ay, he 'twas, this very thief, they chose To bear the purse and give alms to the poor. I, for my part, see nothing wrong in this."
"But why, if Judas was a man like this, Frank, noble, honest"--here I interposed-- "Why was it that he thus betrayed his Lord?"
"This question oft did I revolve," said he, "When all the facts were fresh, and oft revolved In latter days, and with no change of mind; And this is my solution of the case:
"Daily he heard his master's voice proclaim, 'I am the Lord! the Father lives in me! Who knoweth me knows the eternal God! He who believes in me shall never die! No! he shall see me with my angels come With power and glory here upon the earth To judge the quick and dead! Among you here Some shall not taste of death before I come God's kingdom to establish on the earth!'
"What meant these words? They seethed in Judas' soul. Here is my God--Messias, King of kings, Christus, the Lord--the Saviour of us all. How long shall he be taunted and reviled, And threatened by this crawling scum of men? Oh, who shall urge the coming of that day When he in majesty shall clothe himself And stand before the astounded world its King?' Long brooding over this inflamed his soul, And, ever rash in schemes as wild in thought, At last he said, 'No longer will I bear This ignominy heaped upon my Lord. No man hath power to harm the Almighty One. Ay, let men's hands be lifted, then at once, Effulgent