Judas Iscariot was one of the original twelve disciples who would betray Jesus (Matt. 10:4; Mk. 3:19). The name Judas means “the one God leads”. It could have been that his parents desired Judas to follow God, but the opposite ended up happening. Iscariot means “the man from Kerioth”, which was his birthplace. He was the only disciple that was not a Galilean. Judas Iscariot is most known for committing the highest crime of the civil nature of which a man can be guilty; that is, to commit treason and thus be known as the traitor. He would betray the Son of God. When looking at the story of Judas Iscariot, we cannot feel but sorrow and fear. Sorrow because Judas did not finish well although he was at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Fear because we, too, can fall into the danger of unbelief and not truly repenting by failing to realize Jesus as Lord and Savior. Jesus gave all of Himself to Judas, but he still ended up betraying Him.
Why did Judas betray Jesus?
The reason why Judas betrayed Jesus in the end was because Judas had a greater love than Jesus. Judas loved money and other things more than Jesus. Judas also never referred to Jesus as Lord, but only called Him rabbi. The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil and serving wealth causes a person to despite God (1 Tim. 6:10; Matt. 6:24). Judas had rivals in his heart and did not wholly love and devote himself to Jesus.
Judas also did not live with transparency. Lack of transparency is what led Judas to do what he did and the shock that rippled through the other disciples. It is only through transparency that the world can see Christ’s church for what it truly is. Each church member also must live in transparency by confessing their sins to one another in order to be healed and grow (Jas. 5:15-16). Why is it difficult to live in transparency for so many?
Lack of transparency is primarily due to self-centeredness. If Christians remember we are one body of Christ, self is put away (1 Cor. 12:20, 26). Pride is another factor in lacking openness. Whether small or big, we must share with one another because anything can lead to destruction of one’s faith and the life of the church. Gossip is also inevitable when there is lack of sharing. When we understand that “living transparently is less about us and more about God and His work, loving and encouraging each other through transparency builds up the church body and glorifies God to a watching world” (Myeong Hong)!
Moreover, it was Judas’ choice (i.e. free will) to betray Jesus under God’s sovereignty. The Lord accomplishes His will while still allowing people to exercise their free will.
Most importantly, what caused Judas to betray Jesus was because he never believed in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Judas professed Christ without possessing the love of Christ. It is clear that Judas never grew in his personal sanctification as his sin remained and continued to grow (Jn. 12:6; 14:15; Matt. 7:21-22). As no one knew of Judas’ true heart and lack of faith, how do we know we are saved? To be saved, we must be crucified with Christ as Christ lives in us, living by faith in the life God give gave us, who loved us and gave Himself up for us (Gal. 2:20). And this is an ongoing reality in the Christian’s life as the self is increasingly put to death.
Believing in Christ is only possible by God’s gift of faith. Faith allows us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Christ. In other words, Jesus rules as King in our lives, but so many do not truly believe.
Why couldn’t Judas be forgiven?
Although God is able to forgive all and Jesus’ death is able to cover everyone’s sin; however, Judas only felt remorseful but failed to repent and be restored. He only felt sorry and only saw Jesus as an innocent man, but nothing more. He still failed to realize Jesus is Lord and Savior. The difference between remorse and repentance is that remorse is more like despair over sin, but repentance leads to turning away from sin and growth in sanctification. “Repentance is a heartfelt realization of how dreadfully I have failed all through my life, to give His rightful place in my heart and daily walk” (A.W. Pink).
In order to not follow in Judas’ steps, we must be on the alert and follow Christ daily in true faith.
In conclusion of covering the twelve disciples, although they all fell short in one way or another, Jesus fulfills His will in the end. Our only responsibility is to practice our faith in obedience to His will until the end.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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