Judas Iscariot (Tennis Shoes Adventure Series)

"You are new to the Master's circle of followers. You do not know all of its workings. Its internal and external threats. You said yourself, James, that the Master will ascend to the throne of David. He cannot help it. It is His destiny. If you truly believe this, then why do you question me? If you do not desire to help, then let me alone and return to Bethany. Pray to God that your wife and infant son are not at this very moment at the mercy of wicked men. Yes, pray for miracles. Pray for forty days and nights if you wish! Or come with me and make these miracles happen now! What is your decision? I cannot waste any more time!"

- Judas Iscariot to Jim Hawkins

Judas Iscariot, also known as Yehuda Ben Shimon, is a major antagonist in Chris Heimerdinger's 2010 novel ''Sorcerers and Seers. ''He is one of Jesus Christ's Apostles.

History
Judas, acting under the moniker of Yehuda, is one of the men accompanying James, the brother of Jesus, in Jerusalem. They discover an angry mob beating up Jim Hawkins and his sister Jenny Plimpton. James, Judas, and their companions rescue Jim and Jenny and bring them to where Jesus is. When Jim and Jenny are nursed back to health, Judas, James,  and their companions inquire Jim and Jenny about their origins. Jim claims that he and his sister are from Babylon. James asks if Jim really is the miracle worker who served as a forerunner to Bar Abba. Jim says that the stories about his miracle-working were embellished, and he is a follower of Jesus. Nonetheless, Judas tells Jim that he is priveleged to meet him.

Judas goes with James when he goes to the home of Jesus' mother Mary, where Jenny Plimpton is visiting. Judas watches as several young women wash Jesus' face and feet with a presumably rare ointment. Judas and James both question this, but Jesus tells them that the ointment is being used for a good cause. Judas insists that they could've sold the ointment for three hundred pence, but Jesus shoots him down. Judas leaves shortly after this.

Judas finds Jim and questions him about his loyalty to Jesus. Jim confirms that he does believe Jesus is the Messiah and Savior, and that the "miracle" he performed on his sister was really just CPR (she had been suffocating to death at the time). Judas reveals that the chief priests and scribes of Jerusalem have threatened to arrest Jesus and put him to death, and that Jesus' brothers brought Jim here because they thought he could help save Jesus' life. Judas tells Jim that there is a meeting being held by the Great Council, and that he and Jim can go there to convince them that Jesus is harmless. Jim assures Judas that everything will be alright; Jesus will ascend to the highest throne and save Israel and the world, as it is his destiny. Judas decides that he and Jim will go to the meeting of the Great Council not only to convince them of Jesus' innocence, but also to seek help finding Jim's wife and son, who Jim believes were kidnapped by a Pharisee.

Judas and Jim sneak through Jerusalem at night to get to the meeting. Judas hears noises behind them and suspects that they're being followed. Jim asks who could possibly be following them, and Judas says he thinks it's Jesus' family members. Confused, Jim asks if it would really hurt if Jesus' brothers found out. Judas tells Jim that Jesus' inner circle has its internal and external threats, and that he does not wish to be questioned.

Judas and Jim soon come across a path that leads through a cattle pen.