Why did Judas do what he did?

Judas Iscariot had been a disciple of Jesus for several years yet in today's gospel (Matthew 26:14-25), we hear how he went to the chief priests and asked how much they would give him if he handed Jesus over to them. They paid him thirty peices of silver and from then on he looked for an opportunity to betray him. We have to ask how someone who had been a chosen disciple of Jesus could turn against him. We are told several times in the gospels that Judas was in charge of the common purse and that he often stole from it. Perhaps it was his desire to gain more money that led him to betray Jesus. But it is more likely that the main reason was that he never really understood Jesus and his mission. Did Judas see Jesus as he hoped he would be rather than as he really was? Was he disillusioned when he realized that Jesus was not going to use his power to drive our the Romans and make Israel a strong independent country as he expected? As we participate in the Holy Week ceremonies, help us, Lord, to see you as you really are, the Son who was born into our world to show us the Father's love for each one of us. You carried out that mission to your last breath and your last drop of blood. You rose to be with us so that we could continue your mission of love in our families, communities and workplaces. Thanks and praise, Lord Jesus Christ.