Lessons From The Life Of Judas Iscariot

“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