Again and again Jesus had said they should preach forgiveness of sins in his name. Maybe Judas was destined to betray Jesus. Maybe it couldn't have gone down in any other way than it did. But maybe Judas chose death too soon. Maybe he didn't avail himself of the means of God's grace, and maybe his community never sought him out and offered it. Maybe extending the Word of God's forgiveness to Judas was simply too painful for the disciples because, like with the townspeople who became angry when the Gerasene demoniac was clothed and in his right mind, it was easier to identify Judas as the problem. Judas is the traitor...not us. Maybe Judas's community failed him.