I have a problem.  I don’t like most “Christian movies.”  It’s probably an occupational hazard.  After I explain myself some of you won’t like me.  I know there are exceptions but many Christian movies are made for the Christian populace with the obvious goal of not offending the Christian populace.  Therefore, the people in Christian movies are not ugly or overweight and they don’t smoke or cuss.   I can deal with good looking people with healthy life choices but what I can’t deal with is the predictable happy outcomes.  While I agree that the big story of the Christian faith has a happy ending—a lot of stories in the sub-plot don’t.  From my chair, people get divorced, live with depression, die of cancer, drive cars that break down and have kids that appear demon possessed.  Their “war-room” looks more like a war took place than a prayer closet, their “Love Dare” became a love debacle and the giants they faced ran them over!  While I am on this rant I just want to know, do these writers ever read the Psalms?  Do they know about Judas?  The story of Judas does not have a happy ending.  This story stinks.  It makes me sad.  I have cried this week in preparation for Sunday’s exposition.  I don’t want to preach this mess on Father’s Day.  I feel like sending out a notice, “Warning: This Sermon May Blow Up Your Myths.”  How did this happen?  Judas was a follower of Jesus appointed by Him as an apostle.  Judas was anointed with power to heal sickness and cast out demons.  He preached the gospel of the Kingdom.  He spent three years in close proximity to Jesus and saw the Father in Jesus’ eyes.  But Luke tells us that Judas “became a traitor.”  “No!”  I think to myself, “this cannot be.”  Matthew recorded that Judas committed suicide!  There is no happy ending to this story.  Judas had parents and siblings and friends that must have felt unspeakable loss.  Certainly the disciples eventually grieved over the wasted life of their colleague.  Ugh.  But, if we didn’t have the raw realities of the Scriptures before us we would really be discouraged.  In some small way, if we are not comforted we are at least relieved that the lives of our founders were not perfect.  Whether its Peter or Judas or Samson or David the raw humanity seeps out of the pages of the Bible and reminds us that humans are a broken lot in need of grace.  And, as George Bernanos reminds us, “grace is everywhere.”  Too bad Judas didn’t receive it…will you?