ADV229 online

THE COINS OF JUDAS
photographic exploitation?
By Steve Dickinson
There is possibly no greater betrayal than that of the
kiss planted by Judas Iscariot after the last supper in the
garden of Gethsemane. This smacker on Jesus’ cheek,
this insignificant act of affection, condemned Jesus and
eventually Judas to death. Judas received 30 pieces of
sliver, most likely 30 shekels, about $3.50 – a price he
eventually tried to return, but overwhelmed with remorse
he hung himself. The 30 pieces of silver he earned bought
the land he ultimately was buried, in as he was not deemed
worthy to be buried with ordinary people. I am sure there is
a moral there but that is not our path.
"Then one of the twelve, named
Judas Iscariot went to the chief
priests and said, "What are you
willing to give me to betray Him to
you?" And they weighed out thirty
pieces of silver to him. From then
on, he began looking for a good
opportunity to betray Jesus."
Matthew 25.14-16
The ‘coins of Judas’ refer to the price that we are happy
to receive to sacrifice that which is close to our heart, that
which we hold special, that which is uniquely ours, and that
which to some may deem priceless but to others is worth
little more than 30 pieces of Pharisee’s silver.
There is debate and aggressive dispute over the exploitation
of our natural environment and the activities that go on
within it. On one side ‘locals’ who don’t want to share, don’t
want the crowds, who simply don’t want the exposure.
On to the other side of the scale you have the magazine,
video, YouTube, social media, etc who all want to display
the beauty of that environment and the fun that can be had.
And somewhere in the middle between ‘keep it quiet’ and
‘show the world’ is the photographer trying to capture those
moments of splendour.
22//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#229