The Passionنموونە

Judas is one of the most tragic figures in Scripture. He had walked with Jesus for three years, witnessed His miracles with his own eyes, and heard His teaching with his own ears. Judas had every opportunity to see who Jesus really was and what He had come to accomplish; yet, for thirty pieces of silver, he chose betrayal. The prophet Zechariah foresaw this moment centuries earlier (Zech. 11:12–13), reminding us that even the darkest act of treachery could not derail God’s plan of salvation.

It’s easy to keep Judas at arm’s length, to think of him as a villain far removed from us. But his story is uncomfortably close to home. Every time we place money, comfort, success, or our own desires ahead of Jesus, we echo Judas’ choice. Betrayal does not always look like a dramatic act of treason; often it’s the quiet preference for self over Christ.

Yet, here is the staggering wonder of the gospel: Jesus willingly stepped into betrayal. He allowed himself to be handed over - not because Judas was strong or had overcome Him, but because Jesus was determined to go to the cross. Determined to bear our sin. Determined to bring wayward children back home. His love for us goes deeper than our sin and disloyalty.

That means our failures, compromises, and misplaced loves do not have the final word over our lives. Where we are unfaithful, Jesus remains faithful. Where we have stumbled, Jesus offers forgiveness. Where we have betrayed, Jesus restores.

Today, ponder this: What “silver” am I tempted to love more than Jesus, and how can I hand that over to Him today?