Assassin: (n) a murderer of an important person in a surprise attack for political or religious reasons.

In no other holiday do we have such a tidal wave of emotional upheaval as occurs during Easter week. In the course of four days, we commemorate the arrest, trial, death, burial and resurrection of a Savior. It is a collage of emotions that normally would be spread over a longer period of time.

But during the Easter season, my thoughts always go to the relationship between Judas and Jesus.

Historically, we have begun to call Judas “Iscariot,” which is the Greek word for “assassin.” Also, through the passage of time, Jesus of Nazareth has gained a different surname, being referred to as “Christ.”

But at one time, these two men walked together as friends–both human, both encountering similar situations, but coming to completely different conclusions.

Therefore, for all posterity, one will be an assassin and the other, the anointed one of God.

Some people think this isn’t even fair. They demand a more balanced approach.

But Judas made one very major mistake, and it is the same error that causes every assassin to become notorious instead of glorious.

Every assassin gets in a hurry.

Deep in their minds, they have an agenda which they feel needs to be performed, and because of their impatience, they lose their own souls.

Whether it’s Lee Harvey Oswald, John Wilkes Booth, Sirhan Sirhan, or Judas of Kerioth–known as “the Iscariot”–in all cases, they fail to realize that time, circumstances and the need for perseverance are often much better eliminators of riff-raff than a bullet or a betrayal.

Judas was an assassin. He was an impatient Jew who was tired of Roman rule and was angry that Jesus did not share similar vengeance in his heart.

It was a dastardly choice.

Unfortunately … eternal.

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