image borrowed from bing
Iscariot’s Truth
“The real meaning of enlightenment is to gaze with
undimmed eyes on all darkness.”--Nikos Kazantzakis
We all know tomorrow is Good Friday,
the day we honor Christ’s crucifixion.
What about dealing with the affection
that Judas had for Christ, his price to pay,
just doing the bidding via Yahweh?
Gospel of Judas shows adoration,
not betrayal, just prep for ascension,
keeping his hot zealot’s demons at bay.
Did Christ ascend earlier than believed,
transforming Judas to loving likeness,
fooling all? Was Judas the one who died
on the cross, Judas the one that’s grieved,
then stolen from tomb, saved from the abyss?
If that’s so, then who were the ones who lied?
Glenn Buttkus
March 2013
Posted over on dVerse Poets FFA
Would you like to hear the author read this Miltonian Sonnet to you?
17 comments:
ha - truth can be twisted and twisted until some people aren't even sure what they have seen with their own eyes.. but you know...i know that i know that i know...smiles...if jesus had not died on the cross for me and paid for my sins it would look really bad for me..honestly...so...smiles.. cool work on the form sir
Considering the scenario you pose in this wonderful sonnet, I believe you have defined faith. Not to get into a religious discussion but I also know the questions posed.
wow. what an intriguing thought...would that we all bought the lie...and all the other gospels be a huge cover up...what a great punch in the gut and loss of breath...judas is an interesting subject you know...did he know? it had to be, for it all to come into play...
Intriguing thoughts indeed.
Love the gospel of Judas, Thomas and Mary. No wonder they were never added to the great text. Either version he was just playing the part,right? Love this poem... hits me in my thought processor. Thank you kindly!
A well written piece, opening an interesting conversation for sure. Love the thinkers.
Good work here! When I was a kid, I was always troubled by Judas' story--I mean, if Christ came to be crucified, then wasn't Judas just doing God's will? So why is he a villain? The bible even touches on this: it had to be so, but Woe! to the betrayer. Nicely done!
Absolutely love this sonnet. I'm fascinated with theological discussion about the issue of 'enfleshment' whether Jesus actually suffered as an ordinary human would, and the differences between the gospel stories as to what became of Judas (suicide or God's wrathfully vengeance). If Jesus came to us to sacrifice himself for our sins, then wasn't Judus fulfilling the mission? Sorry, I'll shut up, but this one really turned my cogs - love it, and thanks!
Truth sometimes becomes a matter of perception but seldom is then questioned when it connects to faith! Loved the sonnet..figured the rhyming too! Wow!
Ooooo--good questions, and so well crafted.
I agree with Susan. Your questions are well crafted.
I also agree with Claudia. If jesus had not died on the cross, it would look bad for me.
I also must say I have also always felt bad about Judas, as I have felt he was predestined to be who he was....had no choice of a different fate.
This is an elegant sonnet, structurally sound and virtually impeccable. I'm always impressed by the courage with which you embrace provocative themes, the kind of themes that others shrink from. Here that theme is of such philosophical and theological that it is at once provocative, and yet honorific of the Miltonian tradition. Excellently done.
Elegant and thought provoking - really enjoyed reading
Intriguing thought: have you read the story by Dazai Osamu which they translated as 'Heed My Plea' in English? It tells the story of Jesus from the point of view of Judas - who is perhaps an unreliable narrator, but certainly offers a very dramatic, impassioned monologue. It was one of the stories that profoundly marked me in my youth.
Your sonnet is impeccable, and poses unanswerable questions, given the time lapse between the events and the written accounts.
Did you mean to write crucification? or was it a typo for crucifixion?
Beautiful, Glenn, and very thought-provoking. I also like the Kazantzakis quote.
Enjoy your day,
George
Kazantzakis' Last Temptation Of Christ is a Masterpiece novel.....
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