Have you ever been betrayed by someone you love? I know I have. And I’ve been on the other side, too. Betrayal seems to be woven into the thread of humanity after the fall; we disappoint others and turn our backs on them, and they do the same to us. Oftentimes apologies and reconciliation follow, but sometimes the cut is just too deep to heal without an ugly, nasty scar on the relationship.
Judas and Jesus were friends. Judas was one of Jesus’s twelve disciples, the group of men who traveled around with Him as He taught and preached. These disciples had great responsibility—they were chosen by Jesus to be fishers of men, to be by His side as He worked to spread the good news. They were even with Jesus during His last days on earth.
The story of Judas betraying Jesus is familiar to me. I heard it all the time growing up, particularly around Easter time while studying the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Wicked Judas, betraying his Teacher for thirty pieces of silver. There are a couple of things that prick my heart every time I read this story. The first is that Judas tells the chief priests that the one he kisses is the person to arrest. A kiss, a sign of affection, turned on its head and used for unspeakable means. And even more poignant is that in the midst of betrayal, Jesus calls Judas “friend” (Matthew 26:50). Jesus knew exactly what Judas was there to do—He even hinted at it during the Last Supper in the upper room (vv.20–25). Jesus knew He would be betrayed, and He knew Judas was going to do it.
These two things—the kiss and the use of the word “friend” to describe Judas—communicate to the reader that Jesus was being betrayed by someone who He’d been in relationship with. Jesus’s disciples saw Him in some of His darkest moments on earth. They were with Him when He went to raise Lazarus from the dead (John 11:11–16) and when He ate His last meal (Matthew 26:26–35). Friendship is an intimate, sacred thing, but in the end, Judas betrayed his friend.
And when Judas led the chief priests and elders to Jesus, greeting Him with a kiss and setting His arrest into motion, that is how Jesus addressed him:
“Friend,” Jesus asked him, “why have you come?” (Matthew 26:50).
Jesus knew exactly why Judas had come, yet He called Judas “friend”—perhaps giving him a chance to choose differently, to choose reconciliation instead of betrayal, though we may never really know. What we do know is that the character of Jesus does not change (Hebrews 13:8). And while you and I and all of humanity were still sinners and enemies of God—that is when Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8–10).
He died for our reconciliation to God. He died to bring us into a right and lasting relationship with the Father, so that we could be called “friends” of God (John 15:15).
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66 thoughts on "Judas Iscariot"
How easy is betrayal. The aftermath is never easy.
Thankyou for your encouragement”
This is perfect
Good point! I was thinking the same thing when I was reading this.
I love how these devotionals use characters in the Bible to reflect us as humans, but always point back to Jesus and His everlasting goodness, mercy, and grace.
I always think of Judas as “the betrayer”, but during this devotional I am reminded that he was first Jesus’ friend. It’s interesting that Jesus picked him even though he knew he would betray him in the end. I know that Jesus knew that certain things most happen to bring about God’s will.
Because we know that Jesus could have gotten down off the cross and that he, in fact, decided to died to save all of us, we could safely assume that He did not call Judas ‘friend’ to give him a chance to make a different decision.
How many times have I traded Jesus for something much less than silver: temporary approval of others, momentary ease and pleasure for myself that gets me nowhere, etc. Living in his presence and in his will is the best possible place for me to be. I pray that His spirit would remind me of this everyday.
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Thank you for sharing! I have never thought of it that way before.
So powerful, thanks for sharing this!
I always struggle when I read “and Satan entered him” regarding Judas. It’s written in more than one book, so it must be significant.
It makes me think, “how often does Satan enter us?”
Does it happen often?
Is that part of the internal struggle?
Did Judas even stand a chance to fight again the betrayal? Or was it all “part of the plan end the end??”
Because I believe we have free-will.
That God always makes a path for us to choose Him and the “right way.” But in this instance, it almost doesn’t seem so.
Something nags at the back of my brain that this was going to happen no matter what. That’s a really crummy thought/feeling. And the remorse Judas had … almost like when Satan had left him … it cost him his life. It’s heartbreaking.
I know so many think “HE WAS ONE OF THE 12!!! Jesus CHOSE him!” But clearly we must all guard our hearts, minds, ears and eyes … ask God for His protection and wisdom …because this must be something that can happen to all.
Some really good food for thought regarding Judas and his betrayal of Jesus as well as satan entering Judas.
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/judas-iscariot-the-suicide-of-satan-and-the-salvation-of-the-world
Thank you so much for this link! It’s a very interesting read!
It says, “Friends of God.
“friends” of God (John 15:15).
Is anyone else having trouble with the app cutting off the last word(s) of the text by the final image? I would especially like to know what the last words for today are, “that we should be called…(here’s where it cuts off).”
Blessed? Children of God? Forgiven? All are good, but I would like to know how the author concludes. This problem happens frequently, unfortunately.
It says, “that we should be called friends of God.” Definitely worth knowing! :)
I’m a day behind and this is my very first comment, but I just wanted to thank you ladies for your vulnerability and discipleship here on SRT. I look forward to reading your comments everyday and have been for a while now. I pray for those that ask for pray request and honor the faith you have in Jesus. You all are such a light in this world. Keep shining!
I’ve read the story of Judas but never really understood it. As I read today’s devotional and readings it opened my eyes. For god knows all of our decisions, god knew what Judas was going to do but Jesus asked him once more. God is all loving and all forgiving.
I pray that the lord can forgive me for my sins as I repent for I have sinned. To have the love of god and mercy of him on my shoulder and to continue to guide me as I walk through this journey of life. I pray this in your name – amen ❤️
It’s so easy to sit in judgment of Judas…but how often do my own motivations and decisions at times make me just like him? Susceptible to the arrows from the enemy that aim to take me down and pull me away from that intimacy with Jesus? I wonder what thoughts of struggle may have filtered through Judas’s mind? Sometimes we know we are going to follow a bad idea through, even while denying it with our lips, but somehow hoping someone will call us out and stop us before we do. Was it like that for Judas? The compassion that Jesus displays, knowing He is facing certain death, is truly amazing. His compassion extends to us as well. How blessed am I to have the love and affection of such a merciful Saviour!
I can’t imagine anyone of us would have behaved differently if we had been possessed by Satan. Even though I have read and heard this story so many times, I don’t remember that part or that Judas hanged himself. It said the deceit was lifted i.e. the possession by Satan. Was Jesus really betrayed by Judas? I just can’t get over that part of him being possessed by Satan; that makes it sound like Judas was no longer in control. I’ve always judged Judas to be such a terrible person, but who could by possessed by Satan and make the right choices?
I also wondered this when reading today! I grew up in catholic school and they never mentioned possession— I’m interested in what that means!
Amen, amen, amen
In the passage in John 13, it says that the devil had already put it into Judas’ heart to betray Him. This made me think about how often my outward sins began a long time ago within my heart and my thoughts. It just reminds me that we are in a spiritual battle and it’s so important to put on the armor of God, to hold fast to the truth, and submit our thoughts to Christ. I love how when Jesus knows that Peter will deny him he tells him that he has prayed that Peter’s faith won’t fail and when he turns back to strengthen his brothers. Jesus is gentle and gracious with us and there’s always hope for redemption.
Diana, your vulnerability in sharing your “dark night of the soul” brought me to tears. Tears of gratitude that you cast aside the lies and grabbed onto the Truth that set you free. May your words shared today bring hope to all who may feel distant, forgotten, or too far gone from God. Whatever the issue, God is always bigger. He is always in love with you.
“What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear.” Wow. That is quite a friend! He sure bears a lot for us!
I’m so grateful for Jesus’ friendship. Amen and amen.
Oh Wow, Tina, oh wow. Your words just resonate throughout my whole being. I am with you and will be saying these words also. I hope you don’t mind if I copy them into a notebook I have so I can read them frequently and remind myself of needing Jesus’ forgiveness.
Churchmouse, I am with you about wanting to know about Judas and the rest of his story. I can’t wait to find out.
Alexis, I’m with you. I can’t fathom how Jesus can love us even when we betray Him.
CeeGee, your words ring true to me. I have wondered about this also.
Elisha Anne, you have words of wisdom. Thank you.
Angie, you have given me some much (in a good way) to think about and digest and wonder about. To even praise the Lord about. Thanks.
Francis Robles, your last two words say it all. If we could get the world to go along with it what a wonderful thing that would be. As the song says, “What the world needs now is love sweet love, It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.”
Amen, Sharon W., Nancy Singleton, Jill, Tanya B., Lindsay C., Monie Mag, amen.
When I finished reading the Matthew 27:3-10, I realized I had never either read that far or really paid that close of attention to the scripture. I say this because I never knew that the chief priests had bought “the potter’s field” and were to use it “as a burial place for foreigners.” I am glad that SRT included these verses into our reading.
I want to be asked, “ ‘Friend,’ Jesus asked him, ‘why have you come?’ ” (Matthew 26:50) by Christ. I want to know each and everyday God and Christ love and care for me. I know after all I have been through these last few months God, Christ and the Holy Spirit are my die hard, always count on friends. As kids now days put it, my BFFs or besties. What better best friends could I have? They are reliable and always there when I need them.
Father, thank you for being here when I need you. Thank you for knowing my needs ahead of time and knowing what is best for me. Please help me to listen more to what You are saying and less to what i want. Amen.
Judas’ story has a very personal connection for me. About seven years ago, I went through a devastating time with my illness and it turned into a dark night of the soul. While before this time the word of God often brought me comfort, conviction and counsel to aid me in my suffering, during a span of about four months every time I read Scripture I only found condemnation. I began to believe I was like Judas and could not repent. In my confusion and the lies I was believing, I did the unthinkable and attempted suicide.
As Tina often says, “But God…” As I awoke in the hospital, I slowly began to realize that because I was still here, God must be granting the mercy I had been pleading for previous to the attempt, but thought he had withheld. Then about a week later, through a Billy Graham message on TV, I heard him call me to fully receive his forgiveness, not only for my suicide attempt, but for ALL my sins.
I see myself in Peter’s slow to understand the cleansing of Jesus in his life. It takes a work of the Spirit to grasp this idea that when we are born-again through faith in Jesus, we are cleansed by his shed blood. Yet, because we walk in a filthy, broken and sin-filled world with a remnant of sin in our hearts, we need a continued cleansing, a foot washing of sorts.
Today, as I re-read Judas’ story, I am so thankful to believe now that I am no longer a slave to the sin of unbelief I had before. I am a child of God! My life is not for me to take and control the outcome, but the Lord’s to give and to take. Because of his great mercy, I offer all my members to him as a living sacrifice.
Be blessed today, my sisters. And if any of you may be in a dark night of the soul, know that I have empathy for you and pray for the mercy of the Lord to meet you where you are (just as he did me!)
Amen ❤️
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Amen❤️ such a powerful testimony. Thank you for sharing with us. May the lord continue to bless you and love you unconditionally
Thank the Lord you are still here with us, thank you for sharing that ♥️
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Thank you for sharing the Lord’s work in your life! ❤️❤️
ANGIE: I just wanted to make note of your comment from yesterday. First know that I pray for the Lord to bring healing to your ankle and repair to your car. Yet, I join your own words of thanksgiving for all the blessings of presence and provision the Lord gave out in the midst of your trials. I love how you are seeking to find the good and the opportunities to be Mary-like in the moment. May the Lord bless you richly as you grow in his abiding love!
Wow!!! This is so good. Jesus met Judas’ betrayal with love and relationship which led to his remorse and repentance. May we always meet betrayal this way! His plan is to bring reconciliation to our lives. He died for our reconciliation to God. May we be instruments of that as well. ♥️love wins
I also see myself as Judas. Jesus forgive me. Make me new. Forgive me…
I wonder: Did Judas drink of the water-turned-into-the-finest-wine at the wedding?
Was he with Jesus when Bartimaeus’s eyes were opened and he saw the beauty of creation for the first time, but chose to follow the Creator? Was he there when Jarius’ daughter was raised to life, or when the woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of His garment and was healed and lovingly affirmed by Jesus? And, what about the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus, did Judas observe both? One lost everything when he held tight to earthly treasures, and the other gained eternity when he opened his hands and poured his life out for Jesus. Judas was the money guy…what did he think of both? Did he recognize pride in the one as he left Jesus compared to the joy and new life of the other as he stayed. Did he see Lazarus raised to life, lepers healed, the lame walk, and demons driven out? When I read the Matthew 10 verses I wonder, “Did Judas drive out unclean spirits and heal disease and sickness in the power of Jesus name?” Verse 1 would infer that he had may have.
I also pondered, what if someone wrote about the things I have seen Jesus do? Would it read: She drank from the Well that never runs dry – followed by example after example of God showing Himself in little and big ways. Would it list, through the power of prayer, God, Himself, in my circumstances and in those people prayed for? How many lines would be filled with examples of the Holy Spirit leading, guiding, comforting? I don’t think there is enough paper or time to fully write out all the ways God has been active in my/our lives. I do not think we will fully comprehend until the day when our tears of amazement and love wash His feet. When He welcomes us home.
But, for today He has given breath and a heartbeat, opportunity to live for Him, in Him, empowered by Him. To praise Him for His Living Water, answered prayer, ears to hear, eyes to see, hands to do, feet to go, and a heart of obedience, lead by the Holy Spirit. I pray that my heart would remain faithful. That Psalm 27:4 would be true, all the days of my life…that I will dwell in the house of the Lord and gaze upon His beauty, seeking only Him-until my last breath, until I bow before Him. I pray that in the todays and tomorrows He gives I leave behind a witness for Him. That people will not see me, but Him (spiritual brothers and sisters and the lost drawn closer to Him). I pray for souls to saved – maybe a thief, maybe the person who sat/sits behind me in church, a neighbor, my sister, or my friend.
From He Reads Truth today, Russ Ramsey says, “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.”
Yes, loving Jesus and being a Christian CAN be two different things as we see in Judas’s life, but praise God they do not have to be! Jesus made a way. There is therefore, no condemnation in Jesus…there is also no pretending, it is not a game. It is literally eternal Life or death. Let’s choose Life. Let’s love Jesus first and fully, and live purposely in the many, many, many God activities, moment by moment by moment.
Tina….thank you. I’m undone.
But God…
He’ll put me back together
Yes, satan is a liar who wants nothing more than to use us to betray Jesus. This story always scares me because I too see myself in Judas’ place. I too pray he cried out for forgiveness. I wish he would have ran back to Jesus and fell at His feet asking forgiveness. I’m so thankful Jesus provided a way for reconciliation, for forgiveness. I pray I always recognize the lie and turn away toward Truth. Creat in me a clean heart oh God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Praying we all walk closer to Truth❤️
Churchmouse, you should write a book or a devotional. Your comments embody the essence of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit. And they resonate with me every day. Thank you.
7to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; — May we endure whatever the Lord has for us too and totally entrust ourselves to the Father. Seeking His glory and honour, and not our own in every single thing. He will help us live to glorify Him, that He May be honoured in our lives. That no matter what others would do to us we would see the Lords hand in it all.
Judas was already traveling down a dangerous path as a thief and lover of money when Satan entered into him. Satan knew he was an easy target. I gave into grumpiness today. I have been short and irritable with my family. Reading this, I realized each time I give into sin, I am giving the devil a foothold to climb aboard and wreak more havoc. I certainly don’t want to cause more damage than what I am already capable of on my own. Lord, help me to take each thought captive to you, repent, and change. It is never too late to say I’m sorry. Use my broken mess for your glory.
This has always troubled me : that Jesus was betrayed by one of His own. It seems that there was enough “evidence” against Him that He could have been arrested without involving one of His disciples. I am left to ponder the much deeper lessons from these passages than what stands out at first glance. May I never be a Judas! Thanks for all of your beautiful prayers and comments each day, ladies!
TAYLOR – Missed you this morning and sending prayers for you and Cynthia ‘s family.
What always amazes me is that Jesus still called Judas friend, and allowed him to be a disciple, actually choose him to be one, all while knowing that he would betray Him. I can’t fathom that, to have an enemy in your midst and still call him friend. I don’t know if I could do that! Jesus’s love and mercy for us just amazes me. He still loves us and pursues us, despite our wickedness, despite knowing that we’ll fail Him. He doesn’t care. He just wants to love us. It’s such a beautiful thing.
HE knows my name!
Jesus is my friend! I chose to believe that Jesus understood what must happen to serve and fulfill his purpose. He understood that Judas was possessed buy satan and because it was a part of the plan Jesus could love his friend.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts. I just read about Jesus washing the disciples feet and Judas’s betrayal. This reading brought up points that I didn’t think about and also Jesus revealing a characteristic of God! Here is the link: https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/John/Jesus-Washes-Disciples-Feet
Amazing
This hit me so hard today. I have a friend that has treated me so unkindly publicly and I have been dreading a meeting today with her. This was just so encouraging to me today. Jesus faced this same thing and had nothing but grace for someone that betrayed Him to death. I was so blessed by the part that said, ” What we do know is that the character of Jesus does not change (Hebrews 13:8)” The world is turned on its head right now and we have friends that do not feel the same way we do on major issues, and this is causing so many hurt feelings and friend separations. I pray that Jesus heals this lands and our hearts to forgive, have grace, and move forward as the example and body of Christ. <3
I would love to read with you. I am trusting in the Lord in the midst of evil and distress
We will be here to read with and waiting to welcome you.
Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. Permanent separation from God is his end game. Any of us can fall prey to his manipulation and schemes. Judas was one of us. He walked with Truth but fell for a lie. He traded an endless inheritance for thirty pieces of silver. He turned a kiss into a knife. My mind turns over all that Judas did but the visual that most impacts me is Judas’ actions after he realized the magnitude of what he had done. It’s his light bulb moment. The veil of Satan’s deceit is lifted and Judas is shaken to his core. He runs to the temple to make amends, a vain attempt in seeking forgiveness, reconciliation, restoration. He would not find it from the religious leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees, for they too were caught in Satan’s web. I can’t imagine the depths of Judas’ despair that led him to take his own life. I pray that while he was knotting the rope that he remembered Jesus calling him friend. I pray he wept with sorrow and regret and that even then he cried out to Jesus for forgiveness. I pray God had mercy on him even as he took his last breath. I pray he found peace that is only provided by Jesus. I pray he is in heaven forever in the embrace of his Friend. Love covers a multitude of sin. I pray Judas’ change of heart resulted in repentance. One day we will know the end, or perhaps the beginning, of Judas’ story.
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Thank you for making me cry, Churchmouse!! Haha. But really, this was such a beautiful comment. Even from a very young age I’ve always felt remorse when thinking about Judas’ story. I was angered that he would betray Jesus—his friend and yet felt so much sadness that he would take his own life. I think it’s partly because I have also struggled with dark thoughts like him so I can feel a similarity. I pray that Judas did ask forgiveness from the Lord and is now in heaven. We will never know until our eternity story begins.
Tina I love how you expressed this. I am sure we all feel it. Thank you for sharing.
Father God, thank you for making a way of reconciliation with you through Jesus. I am unworthy on my own, yet clothed in Christ’s righteousness I can come to you, & You are there to love me, comfort me, console me, correct me. What a great, great God you are, & yet you desire relationship with little old me (& you, sisters)! ABBA, Father, Daddy, I love you.
Friend,” Jesus asked him, “why have you come?” (Matthew 26:50).
OMG, as I read those words, I saw ME in place of Judas.. I saw me turning up with my so called ‘people’/ friends,I saw me kissing Jesus, I saw Me!
How often have I left the table of grace, love, friendship, goodness, protection, to chase what I thought, or even believed I wanted or needed.. how often have I walked away in search of something more exciting,only to find it temporal.. how often have I made another my hero, my idol, when actually they were nothing more than human..
How often.., indeed, how often..
But God..
My dear most Wonderful, Loving, Nothing can come close, God..
He asks “Friend, why have you come?” when I return. He knows and yet He asks, He knows and yet, He gives me the opportunity to see the error of my ways, to see Him as the One prepared to die for MY sins, prepared to bring me closer to Him, even as the dirty, rotten, sinning scoundrel that I am.. He asks in love, as a friend, as a Savior, as One who is about to buy me salvation, as One who will walk the plank for me, this dirty, rotten, sinning scoundrel, prepared to sell Him for silver for the quick ‘fix’ the world offers..
Jesus, forgive me.
Jesus, forgive me.
Forgive me, My Friend. My Saviour. My Deliverer. My Hope, wrapped in Grace, Mercy and Love..
Forgive me Jesus..
Forgive me..
Amen.
Happy wet Wednesday Sisters.. wrapped in love..❤
So devastatingly true for me also .. incredibly thankful for His LOVE and GRACE. Have a blessed day, Tina!
Oh Tina, thank you for this! So true and amazing that He is still so good and loving to us!!
Thank you Tina for the truths you spoke this morning. They are truly eye opening and so full of the Spirit of God, His character, His love and His forgiveness. Oh the weight upon His shoulders and the evilness of it all, He bore our debt in His pain. We owe Him a debt we can never repay…But for His love❣️ What an Amazing & Awesome God we serve. Oh how He loves you and me. Forgive me, my precious LORD & Savior.
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Isn’t He amazing? This hits home for me right now. Thank you
I thought of this Scripture after reading today, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
Hebrews 4:15 NIV
https://www.bible.com/111/heb.4.15.niv
I found this devotional that points out so many of the things we may have gone through or would go through and points out Scripture to explain how Jesus gets us, and it is something to check out! https://joannaweaverbooks.com/2017/01/11/9-verses-remind-jesus-understands/
I was also thinking that Jesus understands every, single betrayal from a friend, family member, or even an affair. I think about what He endured on that Cross I picture Jesus seeing and feeling every sin. How grateful we can be that He is not a distant God. He was willing to come here and enter in our pain being in a fallen world. Yes, we can turn to Him and He understands. Humbling and beautiful.