3 Relatable Attributes about Judas That Will Shock You

Judas was not the only one who betrayed Jesus from the inner circle of followers. Peter also denied Jesus three times before the sun appeared on the night he was handed over to officials (Luke 22:54-62). Somehow, the fallout of Judas' betrayal was his giving himself over to death (Matthew 27:3-5), and Peter became the rock on which Jesus built Jesus’ church (Matthew 16:18).

How did these two men, who both made terrible mistakes, end up in such different places?

The answer is in each of their reactions to their sin. Judas believed in himself, and Peter repented and affirmed his genuine belief in Jesus.

How many of us believe first and foremost in our power to control our destiny instead of living surrendered to God’s plan for our lives? Again, our culture shouts out that we can control our lives, that if we just try a few simple life hacks, we can make everything better, and that when things are going wrong, we should start over, no need to go back and say sorry for our mistakes.

A few years back, we walked alongside a friend who had been unfaithful in their marriage. What amazed me as I saw them navigate these murky, terrible waters was that no one else in their life pushed the person who had violated the marriage covenant to repent, take steps to protect their family, and lay down their right for the selfish gain for the sake of their family unit. Ultimately, I lost this friendship as the only one who voiced my concerns. In the end, the marriage and family unit failed because there was no repentance, just a relentless pursuit of personal pleasure.

When we are hard-hearted, unwilling to repent, and ultimately so prideful that we refuse to concede our need for a Savior, we are on a path that leads to destruction. That was the path Judas chose, and it’s one we are all at risk of following if we don’t surrender our great need for control. Proverbs 3:34 says,

“Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.”

Humility is essential in the pursuit of Heaven. We detract from God's narrow way when we think our way is better. The ultimate truth of the Christian life is that no matter what mistakes we make on the journey or how much we think we’ve ‘got it’, in the end, His way is always better. This is often uncomfortable, but I’d much prefer my life to be in the hands of the Creator of the universe than my own, wouldn’t you?