The Man Of Kerioth (From The Easter Suite) Poem by Bill Mitton

THE MAN OF KERIOTH
(Judas Iscariot)
Was he just a Hebrew Zealot
who’s choice went badly wrong
or was he really Mr Ten Percent
out to con his way along.
He who down all the ages
we learned to vilify and curse
Iscariot! who sold the Christ
For a thirty pieces purse.
Yet he was an Apostle
Their funds were his to hold
a man who’d walked with Jesus
could his motive just be Gold?
Had he never loved the Master
Was he just there for the ride
Or was he thinking Jesus
Would turn the Roman tide
This man who saw our Saviour
Heal the sick and Blind
feed a Crowd on one man’s food
and turn water into wine.
Had he mistaken Love for power
And this kingdom for the next
Had he listened the word of Christ
But not understood the text.
So that in his disappointment
He let the anger flare
his actions trying to tell his heart
that it didn’t really care
Then when they took the Master
anger changed to deep remorse
remorse then turned to black despair
and only one recourse
We know no man is all good or bad
But it’s for goodness that we try
Was Iscariot just a soul confused
Lost in this world, like you or I
He tried to give the money back
Then hanged himself in shame
If his heart had never loved the Lord
how could it feel the blame?
Or is the answer far more simple
Did it cause Iscariot’s soul to die
The night his kiss betrayed our Saviour
Did he see God in his Master’s eye.