The Sting of Judas' Betrayal - Easter Devotional - April 14

Easter Devotionals

Audio By Carbonatix

By Lynette Kittle, Crosswalk.com

“Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 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. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand Him over.” Matthew 26:14-16

It’s easy for us to overlook how Jesus might have felt with the betrayal by Judas. We read in Scripture that Jesus knew His mission on earth and was ready to fulfill it, including knowing that Judas would betray Him, yet we often don’t consider the human side.

It stings when someone we love and trust hurts us, whether through betrayal, rejection, or abandonment. It’s a deeper wound than those caused by casual acquaintances and even strangers who reject us because our expectations are so much higher for those we love and believe love us, too.

Fully human and fully God, Jesus expressed human emotions like us, including anger, sorrow, grief, compassion, love, as well as physical conditions such as tiredness, hunger, and thirst.

Jesus recognized that those who crucified Him didn’t understand what they were doing, as stated in some of His final words before death: “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' And they divided up his clothes by casting lots” (Luke 23:34).

Still, though Jesus knew the betrayal was coming, Judas had been His companion, traveling together, sharing meals, lodging, praying together, ministering together, and more. It’s easy for us to dismiss what emotions Jesus may have experienced with Judas’ betrayal because He is God.

But, fully human, He may have felt some of the same ways we’ve felt when experiencing betrayal and the loss of a close friendship or family relationship. Just because Jesus saw Judas’ betrayal coming doesn’t mean it didn’t sting and grieve His heart.

Before Judas made the betrayal deal with the chief priests, Scripture gave us clues that he was not committed to Jesus and His ministry.

As John 12:1-3 describes, while Jesus and the disciples were having dinner in Bethany, with Lazarus and his two sisters, as Martha served the meal, Mary poured expensive perfume over his feet, washing them and drying them with her hair.

“But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.’ 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” (John 12:4-6).

At the last supper, we read that it troubled Jesus to talk about being betrayed. “After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, ‘Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray Me’” (John 13:21).

Jesus explains to His disciples how one of them is going to betray Him, fulfilling Psalm 41:9, which states, “Even My close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared My bread, has lifted up his heel against Me.”

Jesus knows firsthand what it’s like to have someone very close go behind His back and betray Him. He understands the sting, the pain, and the disappointment that comes with having someone we trust sell us out for their own profit and benefit, whether a business partner, co-worker, spouse, family member, or neighbor.

If and when we experience betrayal, the Apostle Paul reminds us where we can turn, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Let’s pray:
Dear Father, Thank you for all You endured here on earth for our sakes, for going through the sting of rejection so that we might receive salvation and atonement for our sins through Your sacrifice and Your blood that was shed on our behalf. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Related Resource: Soft Words for Hard Days: A Conversation with Aundi Kolber

Some days feel heavy. Some moments leave us wondering how to keep going. If you’ve ever longed for encouragement amid life’s hardest moments, I have a special episode of The Love Offering for you. This week, I’m joined by therapist and bestselling author Aundi Kolber to discuss her latest book, Take What You Need: Soft Words for Hard Days. This beautiful collection of quotes, scriptures, prayers, and gentle exercises is designed to be a balm for your most tender places—a reminder that you are never alone on your journey to healing.

In our conversation, we explore:
✨ How to hold space for yourself and others in difficult seasons
✨ The power of compassionate words when life feels overwhelming
✨ Practical ways to embrace healing and take one more step forward

If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Love Offering on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!