Scripture Reading: Matthew 10:1-4, Luke 22:1-6, Matthew 26:17-25, John 13:2-20, Matthew 26:47-50, Matthew 27:3-5
While writing her play about Jesus, The Man Born to Be King, Dorothy Sayers struggled to understand what drove Judas. She asked, “What did the man imagine he was doing? He is an absolute riddle. He can’t have been awful from the start, or Christ never would have called him.”
He was a riddle. We know Judas was greedy and that he skimmed off the top (John 12:6). But the money the chief priests offered in exchange for Jesus (thirty pieces of silver) hardly compensated for the three years he spent following Jesus. Though no one can really say conclusively all that motivated Judas, there are some things we do know. First, we know the man he seemed to be. He seemed to be a devoted disciple who heard the same teachings as the rest of those who followed Jesus. He had concealed his duplicity so well that when Jesus declared one of the disciples would betray Him, no one immediately pointed in Judas’s direction.
Second, we know he acted under the influence of Satan. John tells us it wasn’t just that Judas was indifferent to Jesus. He was acting in collusion with the devil (John 6:70–71, 13:2, 27). Think of all Judas saw and heard: every miracle, parable, and act of mercy. Neither Jesus’s words nor His actions penetrated Judas’s heart. He was a riddle, to be sure—part pragmatist, part pretender, part conspirator. Maybe Judas wouldn’t even be able to explain his own reasons.
When Jesus offered Judas bread during the Last Supper, Judas’s mind was already set on betrayal—he took the bread from Jesus’s hand and then he left. Everyone likely figured that since he took their money purse with him, Judas was off to settle a tab or give the customary Passover alms to the poor on their behalf. They were wrong.
As one who saw this moment unfold, John told us what was really going on as Judas disappeared: “After receiving the piece of bread, he immediately left. And it was night” (John 13:30). Light and darkness are prevalent symbols throughout John’s Gospel. He often spoke of Jesus as the Light of the World (John 1:9, 3:19, 8:12, 9:5, 11:9, 12:46). John described Judas as a man abandoning the Light of the World to step into the darkness. The next time the two would meet would be later that night when Judas arrived at Gethsemane with a band of soldiers.
“Friend,” Jesus asked him, “why have you come?”
Then they came up, took hold of Jesus, and arrested him.
—Matthew 26:50
Jesus knew full well why Judas had come, yet He kept the door open for reconciliation until the end. Is Christ offering you reconciliation today? If you are a pretender, it’s possible the only ones who know it are you and Jesus. There is grace and joy to be found in Him, but this isn’t a game. Judas reminds us that we can sit under solid teaching, spend time with believers, even participate in ministry, and still be a fraud. Being known as a Christian and loving Jesus can be two entirely different things.
As you see Judas go out into the darkness, may you also see Jesus, the Light of the World, remain unshakably dedicated to His mission to die in your place. He loves you. Do you love Him?
Written by Russ Ramsey
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50 thoughts on "Judas Iscariot"
SRT tech
I have not had any issues replying on my android samsung phone
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If that helps
Wow I am very impressed by Russ’ devotional today, challenging us to examine the pretender within ourselves. Proximity to Christ does not mean salvation. Don’t be deceived. Sitting in church under solid teaching does not guarantee our place in Heaven. Is the heart changed? With actions to show the faith? There is still time and that is so crucial that we face this self examination honestly. There is an eternity at stake. I am very touched by what RHONDA shared, and what stood out to me is also on that note. “If I do not wash you, you have NO SHARE with Me”- John (13:8). The word “share” (Greek meros) means portion, inheritance, or partnership. I wonder why no share at all, spoken especially to Peter, isn’t Peter a faithful disciple already? Tough warning here we all must take heed! Jesus’ washing of feet is the cleansing of sin that only He can give. Though a believer is spiritually clean (bathed), we still walk through a world filled with sin, and we become “dirty” through daily living, wrong thoughts, pride, impatience, etc., no need to be washed again completely, just the feet- the part exposed to the daily grime. This requires our ongoing confession and repentance, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful… to CLEANSE us from all unrighteousness”. Even our best efforts to clean ourselves spiritually are not enough (Isaiah 64:6 — “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags”). Peter was resisting not wanting the Lord to stoop so low, however in doing so though it might look like reverence, he was refusing what our Lord came to do, to serve, to cleanse, and to save. Like Peter, we may shrink back when He kneels to wash our feet, offering to cleanse the very parts of us that we want to hide, the places most worn, most dusty, most ashamed. It feels strange, doesn’t it? Shouldn’t we be the ones serving Him? But this is grace! He stoops low not because we are worthy, but because He is loving. And unless we let Him wash us, unless we surrender our pride, our guilt, our “I can handle it myself”, we miss the beauty of sharing life with Jesus and risk forfeiting our share in Him. So today, don’t resist the water. Don’t resist the cleansing. Even if it feels uncomfortable… let Him touch what’s messy. This calls for our humbling submission. Be blessed dear sisters.
Such a sobering study today and very convicting! Thanks for sharing your reflections, comments, and questions!
As I pondered today’s reading this song came into my mind. I haven’t heard or sung it in many years, but think the 3rd and 4th verse really reflect what was missing in Judas’ life.
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JESUS IS ALL THE WORLD TO ME By Will L. Thompson (1907)
1 Jesus is all the world to me
My life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day,
Without him I would fall:
When I am sad, to him I go,
No other one can cheer me so;
When I am sad, he makes me glad,
He’s my friend.
2 Jesus is all the world to me,
My friend in trials sore;
I go to him for blessings, and
He gives them o’er and o’er:
He sends the sunshine and the rain,
He sends the harvest’s golden grain;
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain,
He’s my friend.
3 Jesus is all the world to me,
And true to him I’ll be;
Oh, how could I this friend deny,
When he’s so true to me?
Following him I know I’m right,
He watches o’er me day and night;
Following him by day and night,
He’s my friend.
4 Jesus is all the world to me,
I want no better friend;
I trust him now, I’ll trust him when
Life’s fleeting days shall end:
Beautiful life with such a friend,
Beautiful life that has no end;
Eternal life, eternal joy,
He’s my friend.
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I am encouraged that some are able to reply. Not so on my Kindle, but I will try in my computer.
Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
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SUSAN BURLEY – Ouch!!! Glad you are back!
WENDY – US
TERESA DONLEY- You, Amanda, and Debbie
LEANNA- Waiting re: job offer and glad to hear the interview went well!
SEARCHING – Family member and teens/parents
KELLY – Young mama and son (starting job and daycare)
I don’t know if I have ever ready a study about Judas. So often we past over this detail in the gospel but it is interesting to think about why? What changed in his heart. He allowed Satan to take over and that can so easily happen to anyone.
When Jesus said, “Friend, do what you came for.” It tells us two things – 1) Jesus called him friend. He held no animosity toward Judas – His betrayer, only love and compassion. 2) That little “pause” in events gave Judas the opportunity to repent of His sin & turn to Jesus.
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Even in the midst of being betrayed, Jesus still offered hope & forgiveness. He alway, always gives the opportunity for repentance. What a loving, compassionate God we serve!
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@Jane k & @ Cat- Tee – praying for you both – that God will give you wisdom, & lead you to the perfect living quarters for your loved ones.
@Leanna Thompson – praise God the interview went well this time! Praying that Lord willing – they will hire you!
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I too have not been able to “reply” from my phone. We are traveling to RI for 5 days, hopefully I will be able to hit reply from my tablet!
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Have a blessed & thankfuly! ❤️
Amen❤️
“Is Christ offering you reconciliation today? If you are a pretender, it’s possible the only ones who know it are you and Jesus. There is grace and joy to be found in Him, but this isn’t a game.”
These words from the devotion opened my heart to hard truths. When I think I am praising Him, am I really petitioning my own justification? Seeking self satisfaction alone? What do I know that He already knows? Waiting patiently. Placing words like today in my path. Putting a lamp, His light, before my feet. Finding His unrelenting grace & fulness of joy.
There is no greater reward. There is no contest.
Thanks be to God.
❤✝️
I have a question. It is a weird question. Genesis 3:1 ” Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.”
We know Satan entered Judas. We know Satan is known as that Old Serpent. (Luke 22:3)
Is this the same spritual that caused the fall of man.?
And the woman said, ” The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Judas was the human vessel used by the serpent.
Pastor Charles Swindoll says Judas had the wrong motive for following Jesus. Judas, whose name, Iscariot, means ” man from Keiroth” came from an ultra conservative and zealous mind- set. He was a nationalist who probably turned to Jesus in hopes of fulfilling his own dreams for the nation of Israel. Judas likely wanted to get in on the ground floor of the rebellion against Rome.
Judas became bitter. Swindoll says, ” I propose that when Jesus said no to an earthly empire, the seeds of bitterness and anger were planted in Judas ‘s heart.
Judas developed a spirit of revenge and hatred.
Judas opened himself up to satanic possession.
I’ve experienced a few jaw dropping moments of disbelief recently. (Unexpected deaths, shocking out of character actions by people I thought I knew,). “How can this be!” Leapt from my heart reading about Judas Iscariot’s meeting with the Pharasies and did not stop even after all the accounts concluded.
Brittany Bean. The 2 Corinthian 13:5 verse came instantly to my mind too. This is serious work we are doing.. I pray that I always remember to check the posture and motives of my heart in the walk and work as someone who bears the name “Christian”. Sobering thoughts indeed.
I am subscribed to Get texts from Holly Furtick of Elevation Worship. Here is today’s and I had to share. Tami, Mother Teresa once said: “Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people.” There is something that shifts in all of us when a friend says: “I have felt that way too” or “I think you are doing a beautiful job”. Your presence in that person’s life matters. Your words of encouragement or shared experience matter. The power of coming together as women of faith is just that, that we would light new light in each other.
This is us :-) also Tyson to the devotional that talked about light and darkness. Have a blessed day!
observation :) can reply on computer but not on phone or ipad
Good morning ladies! Finally back to my daily readings after having a migraine for 40 hours straight. I think what always breaks my heart when it comes to Judas story is that in the end, the consequences of his actions cause him to take his own life. When we separate ourselves from God & allow Satan to influence our lives, darkness consumes. I am so thankful for Jesus’ love for us & my love for Him. My prayer lately is that others would see my love for Jesus displayed so clearly through my thoughts/actions!
O Susan. So glad the migraine has passed
I feel for Judas. He realized after the fact of what he had done. To the point that he hung himself.
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In the past I would read the story of Judas and think “Why” why did you betray Jesus? But I do the same. I have behaved in a way that is sinful only to have such regret over my behavior. I become about “me” not Jesus. Doing as I wish.
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I don’t want to walk away from studying God’s word in the morning only to live for myself. God please walk with me through my entire day. Help me keep my eyes on you.
We may not betray Jesus with silver, but we all fall short. We may trade intimacy with Him for comfort, popularity, pride, or self-interest. Judas reminds us of how close we can be to Jesus outwardly and still remain far from Him inwardly. His story is a call to examine our hearts.
Yet, Judas’s story also shows that no failure can stop God’s purposes. When we come to God with a repentant heart, He meets us with mercy—not condemnation. Unlike Judas, who turned away in despair, we are invited to turn toward Jesus in hope.
Let Judas’s story remind us of the seriousness of our choices—but also of the unshakable love and grace of God, who even in betrayal was working to bring salvation to the world.
Good morning She’s.
I think the interview went well yesterday. Will know in a couple weeks. Thank you so much for your prayers. This was my second interview but with a different panel of interviewers. In the previous interview I did not do well. Coming from a place where every previous job was either given to me or had a quick 5 minute interview I was unprepared for the formality. I am thankful my manager gave me a heads up that I didn’t do well. I hired an interview coach and he helped me immensely. Best takeaways: I am worthy of this position, I am interviewing them too, push through and answer all questions because I have the experience.
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My husband and I leave tomorrow for a week. We are visiting my uncle and aunt in Northern California along with many cousins and my step sisters. This will be the first time seeing everyone since my mom passed back in January and it will be hard without her there.
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Jane K – my mom had dementia and we were in the process of getting her long term care when she passed. Praying for you.
❤️
”Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?“
2 Corinthians 13:5 LSB
Judas is such a sobering reminder of this for myself.
The story of Judas is a mystery and such a tragedy but, also a sobering reality check to recognize our own flawed human nature. It is neccessary to ask myself often if I am giving up what I should to take up my cross. To lay down my own preferences, my own life to follow Him. I love Jesus. May there be undeniable evidence that this is so in my life and that I am solely devoted to Him.
Still not able to reply this morning :/ Appreciate your reflections and thoughts ladies.
I have my follow-up U/S today to check on the kidney stone. Please pray it has dissolved and passed on its own. Although some of my symptoms have subsided, not all have and I am uncertain. Thank you
Praying Wendy!
praying the stone is gone!
Praying Wendy!
Ohhhweee! Being called a Christian and loving Jesus are two different things. Idk about you she’s, but that certainly got my attention!
Adrienne…there’s alot of that going around.
GM everyone. In the podcast they spoke about all of us in our own way “dipping our bread in the bowl of betrayal”. This really made me see Judas in another light. They all ran and scattered when Jesus was arrested and in a sense “betrayed” him. How often do I betray Jesus? Like Kimberly said the other day, choices I have made, “moments where I knew better, but didn’t do better”. Lord forgive me and help me to keep my eyes on you, the Light of the world.
Could you just imagine being Judas? Could you imagine Jesus saying it is the one who… and then Judas fulfilling what Jesus said? Ouch. How would I have felt if that were me?
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But Jesus knew when He chose Judas, that it would end badly. And can you even imagine that? He knows everything I will do too, and He still chooses me. What a comfort.
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And on another note… I think there are many in the church proper that look like disciples, yet are not. My FIL was an ELDER at the church… playing a “role” and fooling many. But Jesus can’t be fooled. Praying for that prodigal too. (It’s not just the younger generation, is it?) He grew up believing, but changed his thoughts and ways. He often said, “If I was God…” in relation to suffering that we see. (And he is a retired cop from Southern California. He saw a lot of bad stuff.) I hope and pray he will come back to Him…
I feel like I see Judas differently. I see he had sin in life which made him susceptible to the enemy. But he was there and wanted to follow Jesus until… Luke 22:3 That’s when Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot… this is when everything changed for him.
And later John 13:2 It was suppertime. The Devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal…
so under satan actively taking over, Judas betrayes.
BUT then as soon as it’s over and what the enemy wanted him to do happens…
You see an about face, like satan leaves him because he got what he needed him to do.
And we read… Mathew 27:3 Judas, the one who betrayed him, realized that Jesus was doomed. Overcome with remorse, he gave back the thirty silver coins to the high priests, 27:4 saying, “I’ve sinned. I’ve betrayed an innocent man.” They said, “What do we care? That’s your problem!” 27:5 Judas threw the silver coins into the Temple and left. Then he went out and hung himself….
It’s like once satan left, his eyes opened back up and he was so remorseful, confessed his sin, gave back the money and was so over come with grief of his sin that he killed him self. It’s like once satan released his grip he instantly saw clearly again.
“Being known as a Christian and loving Jesus can be two entirely different things!” Boy is this true, and evident today. I have lately been using the term Christ-follower rather than the other because obedience is the real test of our love for Jesus. Do we lay down our life, our wants, and desires for his ministry? Do we say Yes Lord, send me not knowing where it will be? Is he the center of my life? Few will enter the narrow gate to heaven. “I never knew you” would be the worst thing to hear in that moment.
It seems narrow minded, but we have to see the truth and teach it. We must always be eager and available for the Lord. God is grace and love, but judgement as well. He doesn’t accept people half way end, double minded. Standing on the fence…for the devil owns the fence. It is laying down and bearing our cross for the Lord, no matter the cost.
“Verily, verily I say to you..” listen carefully, don’t forget. Keep my commandments. If we are not keeping them, therefore we don’t love him. You will guard the truths, you will treasure them, you will follow them. John 14 says it over and over. We want the best from him, but we want to walk our own path. Won’t work.
We will fail in this of course, but with the conviction of the Holy Spirit, we know a sin and repent. It’s the living continually in sin. I can’t tell you how many Christians add the “but” of why they are living against what God says. They basically are not fully trusting God in the area that they want to control their own lifestyle.
Sanctification is a Christ-follower’s ongoing relationship with Jesus that we become Holy as He is Holy. We are being continually transformed more in his likeness. He will one day ask us WHAT we did, with what we knew, and what gifts he gave us. Don’t waste your life chasing things that will pass away, or things that are not of the Lord. Don’t be a Judas, participating but not devoted. I hope and pray that I “remain unshakably dedicated” to my Savior, who died for me.
The hymn Trust and Obey comes to mind. I’m trusting and obeying you with my whole heart, soul, and mind Lord. Help me, enable me, embolden and empower me Jesus!! I see it in my life. Through Him he gives me joy to preach his word to others, to go to the lost and broken, to love them, but to tell them it is a hard path but oh so beautiful. He will transform them as he had this wretched lost girl, who is now a daughter of the King. Thank you Jesus!!
Amen
❤️ Amen!!
Today’s commentary by Russ was powerful. The statement, “Being known as a Christian and loving Jesus can be two entirely different things” is so very true. The question, “Do you love him” is important to consider as we make choices throughout our day regarding what we think, say, and do.
Yes, Amen!! (It’s working?!)
May I always keep my eyes on and heart with the Light of the World!
Jane K – We are in a similar place with my mom . Prayers for you! Praying we also find a wonderful place very where Mom can live out her years (would love for her to be allowed to start in Assisted Living to see if it halts or slows her decline).
Praying for you and Jane!
Amen❤️
I love Jesus. In this life I see how merciful Jesus is and how grace looks. Our God is full of grace and mercy.
Father please let my heart be softened to receive Your Word. Let me spiritual ears and eyes always be open to Your Word, direction and guidance. In Jesus name, Amen
❤️
And early in Jesus ministry he gave all the disciples healing powers,including judas
Oh, Judas, how tragic was your end! What were you seeking that wasn’t already being given to you by Jesus? What lie had Satan whispered in your ear and heart that you believed?
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Judas’s betrayal was a part of God’s plan. The greater tragedy is that Judas felt remorse, but did not repent and seek forgiveness forever sealing an eternity separated from God.
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JANE K – you have so much going on. Praying you can sense Jesus is with you and the Spirit gives you wisdom and peace as you navigate it all.❤️
Matthew 27:3-5 for some reason I read this as he is repenting of his sin and asking forgiveness. But Maybe not.
Maybe,but he went to “man” with his confession, but no record of turning to God. The priests could not, did not, absolve his sin. Only the forgiveness of Jesus could have done that.
I hadn’t thought of Judas not repenting. That is a terrible thought. I’m hoping that he did.
A riddle, indeed. Same as devo, I wonder how he could have spent that time with Jesus and then betray Him. May I be true to Jesus.
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MERCY ❤️ “stop looking sideways, look up to Jesus” amen.
JANE K – praying, sister! For wisdom and guidance in decisions about your mom’s care (does she have any hearing issues that might affect her understanding when spoken to, or uti that can add to confusion?), for your granddaughter’s kidneys, and for your daughter’s salvation and rescue.
KIMBERLY ❤️ amen
KELLY (NEO) “how can I trust in God today?” Great 1st thing every morning question. ❤️
The light of the world. Amen