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Judas must have been deeply disappointed that Jesus did not turn out to be the sort of Messiah he wanted.  Instead of toppling Rome or the Jewish religious system, Jesus taught submission and service to others. Judas had not become richer and may have become poorer because of following Jesus, although John 12:6 tells us Judas stole from the disciples’ treasury.  Beyond Judas’ dishonesty with money was the famous “Judas kiss” by which he identified Jesus for the Romans. Matthew tells us that Judas arranged Jesus’ betrayal, “the one whom I kiss, He is the one, seize him.” The word “kiss” is from the verb phileo which refers to an act of affection, respect, and homage -  reserved for those with whom a close relationship exists. It seems that Judas could have simply pointed at Jesus or chosen some other way in which to identify him, but instead he pretended to be innocent and affectionate right to the end, kissing Jesus repeatedly according to John’s account. Matthew tells us that Jesus responded, “Friend, do what you have come for.”  Interestingly, Jesus did not use the normal word for friend, philos, but instead used hetairos which means “comrade” or “companion.”  Jesus wanted to not only be the friend of Judas but also his savior, but Judas threw it all away.   Judas walked and spoke with God for three years, he knew all about him but never acknowledged him as God.  Judas chose his eternal destination just as each of us must. This Easter, for we who work with your children, there is nothing more important than being models of Jesus to those young lives.  We want them to know and love Jesus - to live for him to the best of their abilities so that they will spend eternity with their savior and friend. This Easter the faculty, staff and board wish you a time of rest, peace and reflection on who Jesus is and what he’s done for us.