Jesus Loved His Judas

From The Judas In Your Life by Dr Scott Silverii

At the Last Supper, Jesus dipped bread and handed it to Judas. In that culture, this was a sign of honor, friendship, and favor. Jesus gave Judas the honored portion—knowing Judas was about to betray Him.

“Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” ”
John 13:26-27 ESV

Jesus loved His betrayer. Even as Satan entered Judas, Jesus extended kindness. He didn’t expose him publicly. Didn’t shame him. Didn’t curse him. He loved him.

This wrecks our human understanding. We want justice. Revenge. Exposure. We want our betrayers to suffer like we suffered. Jesus wanted His betrayer to repent.

Love doesn’t mean trusting someone who’s proven untrustworthy. Jesus didn’t make Judas His confidant. But He didn’t treat him with hatred either. He maintained dignity, kindness, and opportunity for repentance.

Your Judas might never repent. Mine didn’t. But your job isn’t to make them repent—it’s to love them anyway. Not trust them. Not restore the relationship. But love them.

Loving your betrayer doesn’t mean:

• Pretending it didn’t hurt
• Allowing continued access
• Trusting them again immediately
• Avoiding boundaries

It means:

• Releasing bitterness
• Praying for their repentance
• Refusing revenge
• Forgiving (even if they never ask)

Jesus loved Judas to the end. Not because Judas deserved it, but because love is who Jesus is. And if we’re His followers, love is who we must be—even toward those who betray us.

Declaration: “I choose to love my betrayer. Not because they deserve it, but because Jesus loved His. I release bitterness and embrace forgiveness. Love wins.”

Prayer: “Jesus, this is hard. I don’t want to love the person who hurt me. But You loved Judas. Help me do the same. Give me Your heart for my betrayer. I release revenge and choose love. In Your name, amen.”