Loving Judas

Luke 22:39–48 NKJV

Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Betrayal is Manifested in Various Ways:

Lying (deception).

Desertion in a time of need.

Failure to keep a commitment in a time of need.

A breach of confidence.

A violation of trust.

Marital infidelity.

Physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse.

Exposing private matters in a public setting.

Delivering a friend or confidant over to an enemy through treachery or treason.

One who betrays is called a “Betrayer” or “Traitor”

An enemy cannot be a betrayer.

We expect enemies to be against us. Only a close friend or loved one can be a betrayer. We don’t expect our closest friend to turn against us. A close friend knows you—not just about you. They know the way you think. They know your lifestyle, habits, secrets, strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, and favorite places. They have gained your trust.

Betrayal often begins behind others' backs. It did with Judas.

Betrayal can cause shock, disbelief, emotional pain, vulnerability, insecurity, fear, anxiety, anger, retaliation, hate, and inability to trust or build new relationships.

Have you ever been betrayed? Have you ever felt betrayed? Have you ever betrayed someone else? Are you dealing with the pain of betrayal? Is there recovery and life beyond betrayal?

Betrayal and the Last Days

Betrayal will become more common prior to Christ’s return.

Matthew 24:10 NKJV

And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.

Most betrayals result from an offense that destroys one’s sense of love and loyalty. Other causes include the temptations of lust, greed, and power.

Well-known Traitors in History

Marcus Junius Brutus: He betrayed Julius Caesar leading to Julius’ assassination. In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Julius Caesar said to Brutus in Latin, “Et tu, brute?” i.e., “You too Brutus?”

Benedict Arnold: He committed treason against the Continental Army by informing the British of Continental Army positions and weapon depots. George Washington placed him in command of Westpoint which Benedict Arnold planned to turn over to the British before his plot was discovered. He then defected to the British forces and led a British force to capture and pillage Richmond, Virginia.

Delilah: Delilah betrays Samson by gaining his trust and then delivering him into the hands of the Philistines.

Judas Iscariot: He betrayed Jesus Christ into the hands of His enemies.

Who was Judas Iscariot?

Judas was the son of Simon (John 6:71; 13:26).

Judas was surnamed “Iscariot” (Luke 22:3). “Iscariot” (“Ish” “man”) means “man of Kerioth”, likely signaling the town of Judas’ hometown and place of birth.

Judas was numbered among Jesus’ twelve apostles (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:16; 22:3; Acts 1:17).

Judas was chosen by Jesus after a night of prayer with the Father (Luke 6:12-16).

Jesus knew from the beginning that Judas was a devil and would betray Him:

John 6:70–71 NKJV

Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.

Judas was given charge over the money box (John 13:29)

Judas regularly stole from the money box (John 12:4)

Judas was never a true believer or convert to Christ (John 6:64).

Jesus called him a devil and the son of perdition (John 6:70; 17:12).

Judas became possessed by Satan himself (John 13:12).

Judas was a traitor (Luke 6:16).

Judas became a guide to those who arrested Jesus (Acts 1:25).

By transgression, Judas fell from his ministry and apostleship (Ac 1:25)

Afterward, Judas became remorseful for betraying “innocent blood” (Matthew 27:3-4)

Loving Judas

It has been said: “The true test of Christianity isn’t just loving Jesus...it’s loving Judas.”

Jesus loved His apostles.

John 13:1 NKJV

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

Jesus loved Judas.

John 13:21–27 NKJV

When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

This may very well be the point in the Passover Seder when the participants dip a piece of unleavened bread into the bitter herbs and give it to someone they love. Jesus was telling Judas that He loved him even though Judas was about to betray Him.

Jesus loved Judas knowing he would betray Him.

Jesus knew that Judas’ betrayal was in God’s plan.

Acts 2:23 NKJV

Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;

We are to follow Jesus’ example.

Matthew 5:43–48 NKJV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Romans 12:17–21 NKJV

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Judas experienced remorse.

Matthew 27:3–5 NKJV

Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.

If we respond in the love of Jesus, betrayers will sometimes be convicted and repent.

Response to the Word

Have you betrayed someone? Seek to get things right.

Have you been betrayed?

Trust in God who has not betrayed you.

Bring the pain of your betrayal to Him.

Put the betrayer in God’s hand.

1 Chronicles 12:17 NKJV

And David went out to meet them, and answered and said to them, “If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if to betray me to my enemies, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look and bring judgment.”

Trust in God’s sovereign work through the betrayal of others.

Show God’s love to your betrayer.

Pray for conviction and repentance.