Was Jesus a Coward and a Traitor?

Judas accuses Jesus of killing Jews and being a coward.

The setting: Judas and Jesus are talking in a workshop where Jesus is build­ing crosses which Romans will use to crucify Jews.

Movie:

Judas: You’re a disgrace. Romans can’t find anybody to make crosses, except for you. You do it. You’re worse than them! You’re a Jew killing Jews. You’re a coward! How will you ever pay for your sins?

Jesus: With my life, Judas. I don’t have anything else.

Novel:

Kazantzakis writes (pp. 18-19): “You’re a coward,” he flung at him with scorn, “a coward, a coward—that’s what I say! Your whole life will add up to nothing!… Damn you to hell, traitor!” he bellowed. Slamming the door furiously, he turned to the young man…. “How will you ever pay for all those sins, poor devil,” he asked…. “With my life, Judas, my brother,” he finally managed to say. “I have nothing else.”

Objection

Christians object to Jesus being portrayed as a traitor to the Jews. Christians also object to portraying Jesus as a coward and sinner.

Analysis

Was Jesus a coward and a traitor?

Nowhere do the Scriptures say that Jesus was a coward. In Scripture, Jesus asked, “Which of you convicts me of sin?” (John 8:46). No sinful man would ever ask both his friends and enemies this question. Those who knew Jesus best said that “in Him there is no sin” (1 John 3:5). Please also read:

2 Corinthians 5:21—God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

1 Peter 1:18-19—For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Peter 2:22—He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.