Judas Iscariot: A Warning to Every Believer

If there is a villain in the church narrative, Judas stands as one of the most tragic figures. He committed one of the gravest acts imaginable—not a momentary failure, but the deliberate act of identifying Jesus to the authorities, which led to His arrest.

When we reflect on the life of Judas, we see that he did not become this way overnight. His betrayal was the result of long-standing inner choices—small compromises, unchecked desires, and ignored warnings—that gradually grew into a devastating act. Time and again, the Lord gave him opportunities to turn back, yet Judas chose to ignore them.

In uncomfortable ways, we often see ourselves in Judas. We may walk with Christ, call ourselves believers, and remain close to spiritual activity—yet live lives that are far from true surrender. When such warning signs are ignored, the danger is real: we too can drift toward a Judas-like faith—outwardly close, inwardly distant.

This writing is not meant to glorify Judas, but to learn from his failures—so that we may examine our hearts, repent early, and avoid the path that led to his destruction. Before we look at Judas, we look at Mary’s Act so that we understand Judas attitude and heart.

Mary’s Act

[John 12:3 NIV] 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, expressed her deep love for Jesus by pouring expensive perfume on His feet and wiping them with her hair. This act came from a heart that truly knew who Jesus was.

When speaking about Jesus, they might say Teacher or Rabbi; when speaking to Him, they said Lord. Their words revealed their belief. Martha addressed Jesus as Lord twice (John 11:21, 27). Mary addressed Him as Lord once (John 11:32).

Mary’s act of pouring the alabaster jar was not impulsive—it flowed from deep conviction:

• Love and gratitude – She had witnessed Jesus raise her brother Lazarus from the dead.

• Recognition of Jesus’ identity – Mary understood that Jesus was the Messiah and sensed His approaching death. Her act was prophetic, anointing Him in advance for burial (John 12:7).

• Worship and honour – The perfume was worth a year’s wages, yet Mary poured it all out, showing that Jesus was worth more than money or possessions.

In Short Mary lived out a life Jesus’ command:  [Matthew 22:37 NIV] 37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

What others saw as waste, Mary offered as worship—because to her, Jesus was truly Lord.

How Judas Responded to Mary’s Act of Worship

[John 12:3-6 NIV] 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

Jesus had 12 disciples and Judas was one of the disciples of Jesus

Judas looked at Mary’s act through the lens of money. What Mary offered as worship, Judas saw as waste—because he valued money more than honouring Jesus.

What we know about Judas Iscariot

1. Judas was in Charge of the Money

• Out of all the 12 Disciples, Judas was entrusted with the money bag, even though Jesus knew his heart.

• The disciples had a shared fund for their needs (John 13:29). [John 13:29 NIV] 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor.

• His position gave him access—and opportunity. As he was entrusted to look at the money, he saw all things in the Lense of Money.

2. Jesus Knew Judas’ Heart and Betrayal

• Jesus knew from the beginning who would betray Him (John 6:64, 70–71). [John 6:64, 70-71 NIV] 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. ... 70 Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)

• Satan later entered Judas, influencing him toward betrayal (Luke 22:3). Jesus openly said, “One of you is a devil,”referring to Judas. [Luke 22:3 NIV] 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.

• Judas is mentioned eight times in John’s Gospel, highlighting the seriousness of his role.

• Judas was an unbeliever (John 6:64-71), so he did not have a "shield of faith" to use to ward off Satan's attacks.

3. Judas Was a Thief

• Judas objected to Mary’s use of the expensive perfume (John 12:4–6).

• His concern for the poor was not genuine. He was hypocritic

• Scripture clearly states: [John 12:6 NIV] 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

Judas’ Heart: A Pattern of Selfish / Greed

Judas’ obsession with money was not a single mistake, but a pattern of the heart.

From the beginning, he valued self over God, choosing greed instead of contentment.

In the end, he felt remorse, but not the conviction that leads to repentance and life.

Judas lived to please Self

• Judas walked with Jesus for three years.

• He heard His teachings, saw His miracles, and experienced His love, but his heart stayed unchanged. [John 12:6 NIV] 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

• Judas walked with Jesus, but the message of Love and discipleship never influenced him as his priority was set on Money.

Judas Greed and self-interest ruled him.

• Instead of dying to self (Luke 9:23), Judas fed his self-will, love of money, and desire for control.

• Judas valued silver over Saviour  [Matthew 26:14-16 NIV] 14 Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests 15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

• Judas because of his self-centred ness became an open door for Satan. [John 13:27 NIV] 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, "What you are about to do, do quickly."

• Persistent sin allows the enemy to take hold. He did not remove that when it was small - [James 1:14-15 NIV] 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

• Judas’s unchecked desire (self) led to betrayal, and betrayal led to destruction.

Self Ends in Despair and Death

• After betraying Jesus, Judas felt deep remorse but did not turn to God.[Matthew 27:3-5 NIV] 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." 5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

• He admitted guilt but did not seek forgiveness.

• Instead of running to Jesus for mercy (like Peter did), he ran to death.

Judas’s life and his events shows that closeness to Jesus is not the same as surrender to Jesus.

Judas lived with the Saviour but chose self, and self always ends in destruction.

How not to become a Judas

If there is one key lesson we must learn from Judas, Surrendering the Self  to Saviour was a missing element that led to his fall, Judas heard this verse with Jesus but never obeyed this - [Luke 9:23 NIV] 23 Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

Many times, we are like Judas. Some of us have been believers in Christ for years, even from generation to generation, while others are new in God’s kingdom. In the beginning, all are zealous and full of love for God, but as we grow in our spiritual walk, that initial fire can fade. No matter how far or long we have walked with the Lord, Satan constantly seeks to bring us down, whether we are strong or weak. That’s why it’s crucial to practice these three things to avoid becoming like Judas. We may never betray Jesus openly, but the indirect ways we act can often be far more harmful—sometimes even twice as damaging as Judas’ actions

1.        Crucifixion of Self – Galatians 2:20

• Paul says in [Galatians 2:20 NIV] 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. ..

• This means putting to death the old self—our sinful nature, pride, and selfish desires—so that Christ’s life can flow through us.

2.        Clothing Ourselves with Christ – Romans 13:14

• Paul says in [Romans 13:14 NIV] 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

• As we crucify the self, we “put on” Jesus’ character—His righteousness, love, humility, and obedience.

3.        Living as a Living Sacrifice – Romans 12:1–2

• Paul says what Abharam did to Issac, he asks us to offer our Mind / Body as a living Sacrifice to God. This act is a holy worship to God and a pleasing act to God [Romans 12:1-2 NIV] 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

• After the self is crucified, and once we surrender our whole life as an act of worship, allowing God to transform our thoughts, habits, and desires.

• The mind will be renewed by the Word / guided by his light to rid of the self. His new Body takes full stage in us to lead to do his works in us.

• Once you offer yourselves, Satan will have no hold to Self – Body and Mind.

Saviours Difference: How Jesus Handles People

As I meditated on this passage, I asked myself—would I choose someone with such a flawed character, knowing the outcome? Most of us probably wouldn’t. Yet Jesus selected Judas, teaching us priceless lessons through His wisdom and grace.

1.        Jesus’ Character in Choosing Judas

• What a remarkable example of Jesus’ heart! Among the twelve disciples, Judas Iscariot—who would later betray Him—was given a place of intimacy and trust.

• Judas was a thief (John 12:6). Satan eventually entered him (John 13:27).

• Yet Jesus knew from the beginning who would betray Him (John 6:64).

• How would we react if we had a disciple like this? I would have rebuked him / ashamed him and scolded him and scorned him of his hypocrisy.

• Most of us, if we knew someone’s hypocrisy or hidden sin, would confront, expose, or remove them. But Jesus did not. Instead, He loved Judas fully to the end (John 13:1), even washing his feet on the night of betrayal (John 13:5).

2.        Jesus’ Love Despite Sin

• No rebuke or public shame – Jesus never publicly rebuked or humiliated Judas, but He lovingly warned him multiple times.

• Consistent kindness – He treated Judas with the same compassion as the other disciples.

• Opportunity to repent – At the Last Supper, Jesus extended bread to Judas (John 13:26)—a sign of friendship in Jewish culture—one last chance for Judas to turn back.

• This demonstrates that God’s love does not depend on our character but on His own nature. Judas’ betrayal didn’t change Jesus’ love.

• He said his last words [Luke 23:34 NIV] 34 “Father forgive them for do not know what they are doing “ - this is not for the crowd, it included Judas as well

• His love to forgive someone who betrayed him / stole money that was collected for missions

3.        Trust in God, Not Money

• Jesus placed Judas in charge of the moneybag (John 12:6), even though He knew Judas was stealing.

• Why? To show that God’s kingdom is never built on money but on obedience and faith.

• Paul and the early church also reflected this truth: offerings were laid at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:34–35), not used to gain control or status.

4.        Fulfilment of Prophecy

• Judas’ betrayal was not an accident but part of God’s plan:

• He allowed Judas to remain in his role to full-fill prophecy (Zechariah 11,Psalm 41:9; John 13:18).

  • [Zechariah 11:12-13 NIV] 12 I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter"--the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the LORD.

  • [Psalm 41:9 NIV] 9 Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.

What we can learn from Jesus

1. Love those who fail you – If Jesus could love Judas, then we too are called to love those who hurt or betray us (Matthew 5:44). This is easy to say, but difficult to live out. It begins by honestly confessing our weakness to God and asking Him to fill us with the same love He showed to Judas—so that we may extend that love to others.

2. God’s plan cannot be stopped by human evil – What Satan intended for harm, God turned into salvation (Genesis 50:20; Acts 2:23). God is far greater and mightier than the one who rules this world. All power and authority belong to Him, and even a single breath from Him is enough to overcome every force of Satan

3. Repentance is always open – Judas had the opportunity to repent, but instead he chose despair (Matthew 27:3–5). The true tragedy was not his sin, but his refusal to receive the mercy offered to him. No matter how far we have wandered or how deeply we may have fallen—like the prodigal son—Jesus waits for us with open arms. He is always ready to save. All we need to do is come to the Father in surrender and say, “Father, I give myself to You. Use my life for Your kingdom.”