Judas | The Traitor | Luke 9:23

Judas – The Traitor

Judas Iscariot is remembered as the man who betrayed the Son of God. His story is one of wasted opportunity, squandered privilege, and the tragic consequences of sin. While he walked daily with Jesus and saw His miracles, Judas ultimately turned against Him. His life stands as both a warning and a lesson for every generation.

The Call to Follow Christ

Luke 9:23 – Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

Judas, whose name is a form of Judah meaning “Jehovah leads,” was called to be one of the twelve apostles. Despite being chosen for this high calling, his heart never fully belonged to Christ.

The Betrayal Foretold

John 13:21-26 – At the Last Supper, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “I assure you: One of you will betray Me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom He spoke. John leaned back against Jesus and asked who it was. Jesus answered, “It is the one I give the piece of bread to after I have dipped it.” He dipped the bread and gave it to Judas.

Matthew 26:21-22 – While they were eating, He said, “I assure you: One of you will betray Me.” Deeply distressed, each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?”

Judas had already agreed to hand over Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, showing the destructive power of greed.

The Death of Judas

Matthew 27:3-4 – Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was full of remorse and returned the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What’s that to us?” they said. “See to it yourself!”

Acts 1:18-19 – Now this man acquired a field with his unrighteous wages. He fell headfirst and burst open in the middle, and all his insides spilled out. This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that in their own language that field is called Hakeldama (that is, Field of Blood).

Mark 14:21 – “For the Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

Judas’ end was tragic. Overcome by guilt, he tried to undo his betrayal, but without turning to Christ, his remorse led only to despair and destruction.

Lessons from the Life of Judas

1. Judas is a tragic example of a lost opportunity – he heard Jesus day and night and couldn’t come to the truth.

2. Judas is the epitome of wasted privilege – he was given apostleship and wasted it.

3. Judas shows us that the love of money is the root of all evil.

4. Judas shows the ugliness and danger of spiritual betrayal – there are Judas’ in every age – people who seem to be followers yet turn against him.

5. Judas is proof of the patient, goodness and loving-kindness of Christ.
   Psalm 145:9 – The Lord is good to everyone; His compassion rests on all He has made.

6. Judas shows how God’s will cannot be thwarted – this looks like Satan won but it was truly his greatest defeat.

7. Judas is a demonstration of the deceitfulness and fruitlessness of hypocrisy.
   John 15:6 – If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

Final Reflection

The life of Judas is a chilling reminder that being near Christ is not the same as following Him. He saw the light of the world face to face, yet chose darkness. As Jesus Himself declared, “Woe to that man… it would have been better for that man if he had not been born” (Mark 14:21).