“Traitor! Murderer! Thief!
All these describe Judas Iscariot, one of the 12 Disciples of Jesus Christ.Yet, Judas Iscariot was the Treasurer and kept money for the group. How did a trusted friend and member become so greedy that he betrayed Jesus Christ with a kiss? What motivated him to conspire with the religious leaders of the day to agree to “sell” his Master for 30 pieces of silver?
What lessons can we learn from the life of Judas Iscariot, so that we may not fall into the same error that he fell into?
First of all, who was Judas Iscariot?
He was the son of Simeon (John 6:71) and is believed to be from the Judean town of Kerioth-Hezron. In addition to this, he must shown some ability to manage money, for he was in charge of money meant for the group. However, he was also a thief and had even begun to betray the trust that Jesus Christ and others had in him because the Bible says in John 12:4-6:
“But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.” NKJV
Judas Iscariot was described by Jesus Christ as a “devil”. In John 6:70-71:
“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.“NKJV
Although he was one of the 12 Disciples of Jesus Christ, Judas Iscariot was not a believer. In John 6: 63-64:
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.” NKJV
Judas Iscariot was also not spiritually clean. This should not be surprising, as a thief cannot be described as being spiritually clean. In John 13:10:
“Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew who would betray Him; therefore, He said, “You are not all clean.”NKJV
Finally, and perhaps this is the most important point of all- Judas Iscariot was born to betray Jesus Christ. This is a very hard lesson about life- that the only reason that Judas Iscariot was born was to be a traitor!
In Matthew 26:23-24:
“He answered and said, “He who dipped hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” NKJV
That was the destiny of Judas Iscariot.
Not only was he born for this purpose, but he was also born for the scriptures to be fulfilled.
In John 13:18:
“I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ NKJV
Now that we know who Judas Iscariot was, let us see how he allowed himself to be used for that nefarious purpose.
The Religious Leaders of the day were already incensed at Jesus Christ because he was someone they were not used to. Not only did he perform miracles, but he also healed the sick, raised the dead and walked upon the sea!
What manner of man is this?
In John 11:45-54, we see how they came to the conclusion to kill Jesus.
“Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. Therefore, Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.” NKJV
Soon thereafter, the Passover feast was approaching, and Jesus intended to partake of the feast with his Disciples. In Matthew 26:1-5:
“Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”NKJV
With so much going on, Satan saw the perfect opportunity to use Judas Iscariot to help identify Jesus Christ to his enemies because he always moved about with his Disciples, and it was hard to tell him apart. The Bible records in Luke 22:3-5:
“Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude. And they were glad and agreed to give him money”. NKJV
As they sat down to eat the Passover meal, Jesus identified his betrayer. In Matthew 26:20-25:
“When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” He answered and said, “He who dipped hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?”He said to him, “You have said it.” NKJV
One would have thought that after Jesus had publicly identified Judas Iscariot as his betrayer, he would show some remorse and refrain from what he had planned to do. However, since Satan was now residing in him, he threw all caution to the wind. He left the company of Jesus Christ, the son of God and went to meet his fellow “Sons of Belial or the Sons of Satan “.
In Matthew 26:47-50:
“And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?”Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him”. NKJV
Afterwards, Jesus Christ was arrested, falsely charged and accused and sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit.
So, what happened to Judas Iscariot?
He was filled with remorse, guilt and regret. He tried to return the 30 pieces of silver that he received as payment for the betrayal, but the Religious Leaders refused to accept it because it was “Blood money”. He threw the money at them and left. Then the Bible records this last sad chapter of the life of Judas Iscariot. In Matthew 27:3-8:
“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. But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore, that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.” NKJV
So, what lessons can learn from the life of Judas Iscariot?
One, that destiny and its fulfillment is a serious matter and should not be toyed with. That is why a person must know the Purpose for which he was created. If Judas Iscariot had known about his Purpose, he could perhaps have prayed about it, especially since he was with Jesus Christ, who is also God the Son.
Secondly, one can be with Jesus Christ and still be worldly. That explains why Judas Iscariot lived with Jesus Christ daily and was still busy stealing money.
Thirdly, greed can kill. Judas Iscariot thought that 30 pieces of silver was so much money and can buy so much. He valued money more than his own soul.
Jesus Christ asked this question in Matthew 8:36:
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? “NKJV
Dear friend, let us learn from the life of Judas Iscariot. He started well but ended badly. We pray that will not be our lot in life.
In Jesus mighty name we have prayed, Amen!
