Judas and the Path to Redemption: Lessons for Today's World

I wrote about Judas recently. It’s hard not to think about him in the days leading up to Easter. A lot of times we don’t like to think about the hard things, not wanting to discern the things in which the end result may be unpleasant. People can get into the mindset that they can live how they want, do whatever they want and God will be there when they need. Many years ago, I may have even had this mindset. It doesn’t work like that though. Not for me. Not for you. Not for Judas. Yes, God will be there when you need it, but there are still requirements for salvation. I hope to meet that requirement. I pray for you to meet that requirement. Through scripture, we know that Judas did not meet the requirement. 

The story of Judas is not just a relic of ancient history; its themes of betrayal, redemption, and our human flaws continue to resonate today. We see echoes of Judas' story in television, politics, and even in our lives at times. Think about it, we have all watched a Netflix show where the main character faces some moral dilemma and whether they sacrifice their principles for personal gain or struggle with the consequences of their actions, we are drawn to narratives that explore these struggles. Betrayal is also a recurring theme in news headlines and social media discussions. Sometimes it's a political scandal, a corporate betrayal, or a personal relationship drama played out on a public stage, but they typically all are stories of trust broken with alliances shattered and they capture our attention, as well as provoke intense emotional reactions. Through these we see the same timeless theme that reminds us that the human experience is marked by both moments of moral failure and opportunities for spiritual renewal, inviting us to reflect on our own actions and relationships in light of these truths.

Jesus washed Judas’ feet, Jesus showed us how to live and how to treat people, even those who wrong us. Here is the “but” and it’s a bold statement: God still sent Judas to hell. I don't claim this to be a written fact, it is not doctrine and is based on my own analysis. I am not trying to speak for God or his judgment; the seat of judgment is one I am more than thankful to not have. I believe this statement to be true based on my discernment through scripture and discussion with a pastor who I turn to for advisement on complicated matters like these. We can see in Acts chapter 1 Peter mentions Judas and states “which Judas left to go where he belongs”. In some translations, it states “to go to his own place”. Heaven is not a place of our own, it’s the kingdom of God. 

The reason we can conclude that Judas did not make it into the kingdom of Heaven, boils down to one word: repentance. 

A lot of us don’t fully understand the concept of repentance. Repentance demands a transformation of your heart and actions. Repentance means to change your mind, and when you change your mind you change the way you live. 

If we were sitting across from each other I imagine you may say, “Wait a minute, but Judas gave back the silver, he felt bad over what he had done”. Here is what I would tell you: sorrow alone has never saved anyone. Judas showed remorse, not repentance. It is important to make this distinction. There is no doubt that Judas was remorseful. He felt guilty. He felt shame. These feelings are capable of prompting repentance in our lives. Repentance brings your wrongdoing to light, we must be able to see our sin to turn away from it. Yes, Judas returned the thirty pieces of silver. That still wasn’t repentance. He did not seek forgiveness or reconciliation. He ultimately ended his own life. This final act shows he allowed remorse to fester into hopelessness with a refusal to repent. 

“Repentance is the ceiling we cut through to meet Jesus.” This was said at a recent conference I attended. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to meet Jesus one day. I think about Heaven, I think about what colors I will see that I have never seen before. Often I end up smiling to myself at how my mind could never imagine what it is like, but I sure try. I’m telling you this, not only to share that my wanderlust extends to thoughts of Heaven but to say that if you want to meet Jesus one day, you have got to think about it. Think about how it would happen, what will he say to you? 

Recognizing that remorse doesn’t equal repentance is powerful. Repentance transcends mere regret; it’s more than being sorry. It is being sorry enough to stop sinning. It embodies a sincere commitment to cease wrongdoing and to return to a path aligned with God. It’s the only path to righteousness. You cannot run from your sin. I am going to type it again, you can not keep running away from your problems you have never repented of. Sure, we would like to. It is much easier to, honestly. The truth is that they will catch up to you. God will always shine light on the truth, always. 

I am currently an undergrad professor of strategic communication. I love the field of interpersonal communication, the ethics behind communication, and the theories that piece it all together. The social scientist in me wonders if the theory of cognitive dissonance comes into play with Judas. Cognitive dissonance refers to the discomfort that someone feels when a belief they hold or an action they take contradicts their values. It’s inconsistencies of the mind. I believe it to be one of the most dangerous things for a Christian if not recognized and dealt with. Cognitive dissonance can be an opportunity for growth when we realize that we need to align our beliefs to reflect the truth or change our behavior to better match the person we want to be. Sadly for many, they think they can hold Christian beliefs, yet behave in ways that don’t reflect that. My theory is that Judas likely held sincere beliefs about religion and the teachings of Jesus; however, his decision to betray Jesus created an internal conflict (cognitive dissonance). And right there, he had an opportunity. 

Most of us come to this crossroads where we are struggling with conflicting motivations and emotions. We may have feelings of admiration and loyalty toward someone, yet at the same time, may feel drawn to do something for personal gain or be disillusioned by the noise of the world and perceive something for what it is not. The world will justify deception and superficial motivators. It always has, always will. God will not. The world may even try to encourage you to test God, telling you to do something and if God is behind it, he will fix it. That’s a dangerous game to play, friend. My pastor said one time “God will never condone premeditated decent or deception. Never. He will never be the author of it.” That’s important to remember because our hearts will often condone these things. We will justify our actions and say we were doing it for the right reason, and without true discernment may truly believe we have done so with the right heart. I’ve been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Wrong is still wrong, sin is still sin, no matter how “good” of a reason we think we have for it.

Understanding cognitive dissonance when thinking about Judas invites us to reflect on our own capacity for moral ambiguity and self-deception. How often do we rationalize our actions or downplay their ethical implications to maintain a sense of internal clarity or peace? Thinking of this should caution us as it reminds us of the danger when we compromise our morals and try to justify our own deception. I can not say it enough: cultivating a life of moral integrity and self-awareness is of the uppermost importance for our health, our sanity, and our salvation. 

Many of us can relate to the emotions that Judas felt. Maybe we have our own story of betraying someone close to us. Do you have one? Or is there a story that plays over and over in your mind, yes the one that reminds you of some failure? I am not saying that to make you feel that guilt now, I am saying it so that you know that Jesus will remove the failure but you have got to confront some things. We have pride, lust, and all kinds of things that get in the way. Many feel they can’t bring light to the dark places in their lives, whether it is the secrets they keep or the sins they try to keep buried. They fear condemnation when in reality they are bringing condemnation to themselves. There is no condemnation with God, that is from the enemy. Always. End of story. With God there is conviction. So, go back to that story for a moment: the one you shake off, I’m not going to say “let go” because that’s hard for all of us and is one of those toxic pieces of advice we give to others. I’m going to say what my mama has always said, “let God”. Maybe that story replaying over in your head, maybe that guilt you are trying to keep in the dark, is the Holy Spirit trying to move you to the light. It takes work. God will test you to reveal your character. The test is an opportunity for grace. It’s a chance, a chance to say I’m sorry and to repent. 

Maybe your story isn’t one of your own betrayal to another, but when someone betrayed you. We have all been there, again the Lord will help us change our mind about how we view it. There is something to be learned from that story. There always is. God will use it for good. In this scenario, you may feel guilt over allowing someone to get close enough to you to hurt you the way they did. Don’t, friend. Cherish your heart and the ability to see the best in others. Remember, Jesus picked Judas. Some argue why didn’t Jesus pick someone better. Never forget, he always knew who Judas was, he chose him anyway. John 6 verse 70, “Then Jesus replied, ‘Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!’” Whoever has wronged you, I am deeply sorry for the pain and wounds that they have created. I am. I know how devastating and traumatic this type of hurt is. I really do. My advice for you is don’t pray for an apology, pray they find Jesus. 

I love the prayer that Jesus prays in John chapter 17. Do yourself a favor and go read the entire chapter. It’s beautiful in its entirety. I especially love verses 13-18, but look back at the verse just before this, John 17:12 reads “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept, and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” Perdition means complete destruction, it is a pretty safe assumption that Jesus is talking about Judas and not about the antichrist who is given the same name in 2 Thessalonians. However, the verses that fill is chapter reflect love - these are Jesus’ words praying about those who have followed him and who obey God. Verses 20-23, Jesus is praying that for you, friend. Yes, he is talking about you. 

How can we turn Judas’ story into a guide? Well, that's why I asked you to think of that story earlier. It may not be pleasant to think about, but I encourage you to reflect on your own experiences of failure. By examining our actions and motivations with honesty and humility, we can identify areas in need of repentance and transformation. Doing things like journaling, seeking counsel, and engaging in acts of reconciliation can pave the way for healing and growth.

Friends, repentance is not easy. It is worth it. One of the final points I want to say is that Judas is the perfect example for us to see that nobody is automatically saved by just knowing Jesus. Judas lived with Jesus on earth for years. Plenty of people know who Jesus is, they believe the story of the Cross but live in a way that doesn’t reflect it. Let us not forget that what Jesus did on that cross was enough for even Judas’ salvation, but he chose not to accept it. The choice belonged to Judas. The choice belongs to each of us. 

As a friend of mine likes to point out, God is a gentleman, he gives you the choice and never tries to control you or force His will upon you. He has given you the free will to choose transformative salvation through Jesus Christ. Will you choose Him and accept His ultimate sacrifice?

Note: Until about six months ago, I hadn't given much thought to Judas' fate. When I mentioned earlier that we often shy away from pondering difficult subjects, I was including myself. The Holy Spirit has urged me to contemplate things that I had previously avoided. I thrive off learning, it is what makes us go, but I sometimes choose to ignore certain topics for the sake of my own comfort. My life has been shaken in many ways in recent years which has forced me to confront uncomfortable truths that I would have preferred to ignore. Nowadays, when a thought crosses my mind and I sense that I should contemplate it more, I turn to God for guidance. A close confidant, upon reading this, admitted they had never considered the question before and without putting time into it would want to say that Judas is not hell, but she admitted: I just haven't taken the time to look at the hard truths and what they could teach us. I prefer to focus solely on God's loving nature and the fact he is a good God, I still want to do that here: God loved Judas. His decision to not repent broke His heart.