The Cautionary Tale of Judas Iscariot
By Michelle Tanzi
Bible Reading: Mark 14:8, Matthew 26:23-25, Matthew 27:3, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 John 1:5-9
Key Verse: 1 John 1:9
I recently began a journey through the gospels. I wanted to get to know Jesus on a deeper, more intimate level, and I couldn’t think of a better way to start than by reading about his life, the lessons he taught, the miracles he performed, and even the people Jesus chose to surround himself with and that he called friends. Imagine living in the time Jesus walked the earth and not only sitting in a large crowd hearing him speak or being lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Him walking by but being a trusted friend and part of his inner circle. A recent reading had me looking at one trusted friend: Judas. The man who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of Silver. A man who was one of the twelve apostles and part of Jesus’ inner circle. He walked with Jesus, ate with Jesus, talked with Jesus, and even was sent out to perform miracles in Jesus’ name, yet despite all the things he saw, all the things he heard, and all the things he did, Judas was a man that never allowed himself to be saved.
The Gospel of John says Judas was a thief. Mary had just washed Jesus’ feet with a very expensive perfume, and Judas was upset that Mary used the perfume in that manner because it was worth a year's wages. He argued that it could have been sold and the money given to the poor, but John 12:6 says, “He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.” Judas’ greed allowed the devil to gain a foothold in his life.
Reading the gospels, I learned that the disciples didn’t understand what Jesus was doing. They were expecting a political savior, someone who would overthrow the Roman empire and establish his earthly kingdom. Judas was no different. In Mark 14:8, in response to Judas’ objection to Mary’s use of the perfume, Jesus says, “She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.” Jesus predicts his death a few times throughout the gospels, and I imagine that in their misunderstanding of Jesus’ true purpose, they would feel confused and maybe even discouraged when Jesus talked about his death.
While money and greed were a factor in Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, I think this discouragement may also have been a factor. In Judas’ eyes, death would have meant defeat, and defeat would mean no place of honor in Jesus’ kingdom, and none of the rewards he was expecting would go along with it. Judas had invested time in Jesus, and perhaps he considered those 30 pieces of silver a return on that investment. If Jesus was going to die, as he had predicted many times, why not switch to the winning team? Judas allowed his greed to control him. Sin has a way of warping our views, and the more we sin, the less convicted we feel about it, making what’s wrong feel right.
Let’s fast forward to the the last supper and the night Jesus would be arrested. Jesus was aware that Judas was about to betray him, and as he ate with Judas, he gave him a chance to change his mind. He warned that it would be better if he had never been born. “Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’ Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?’ Jesus answered, “You have said so.” Matthew 26:23-25. At any time, Judas could have changed his mind. He could have confessed his sin and repented. Instead, he chose to remain in his sin and allowed himself to be used by the devil.
After Judas’ betrayal, the bible does say that he felt remorse: “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders.” Matthew 27:3. But Judas’ remorse didn’t lead to repentance. Jesus died for everyone. All of our sins. Even for Judas. Judas could have reconciled with Jesus, admitted his wrong, humbled himself, and asked for forgiveness, but he couldn’t face his sin. Instead, he chose to hang himself, allowing his unrepentance to separate him from God forever and refusing the salvation only found in Jesus.
Judas wasn’t the only one to fail Jesus. Peter denied Jesus three times, and the other disciples deserted Jesus. But unlike Judas, the rest of the disciples didn’t just feel remorse over what they did; they repented and reconciled with Jesus, and he forgave them and accepted them with open arms.
When we hear the name Judas, the last thing anyone wants is to be compared to him or to see ourselves or anyone we know in him, but the truth is anyone of us could be used just like he was. Judas’ story isn’t shared, so he could be loathed or judged because, despite everything we know, Jesus loved him. Judas’ sin, though terrible, isn’t greater than ours. We all have stuff. Sin can take root and grow, leaving us open to the enemy. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.“ I Peter 5:8
My friends, let’s learn from Judas. Don’t hold onto your sin, allowing it to destroy you. Instead, repent! Don’t wait another minute to ask Jesus to forgive you and accept Him as your savior; it’s time to be born again. Don’t take for granted Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him, there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:5-9
Jesus, Thank you for your word and the lessons that are still relevant today. Help us to learn from Judas’ story and not to make the same mistake. Help us not to have remorse with no repentance. Forgive us of our sins and guard our hearts and mind. Help us not to allow the devil a foothold in our life. Thank you for your sacrifice on the cross for all of our sins, your defeat over death and sin, and your resurrection three days later. Lord, come into my life and make me new and show me the areas in my life I am vulnerable so I can surrender them to you. Amen.
