The Faces of Easter (week 1: Judas Iscariot)
Introduction to The Faces of Easter
As we approach Easter, we are invited to reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—a story that has shaped the world and continues to change lives. The narrative involves many people, each with their own role to play, responses to the unfolding events, and a personal encounter with the Savior.
In this five-part devotional series, The Faces of Easter, Pastor Daniel will help us explore the key figures in the Easter story—those who were present during the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry. From the disciples to the religious leaders, from the betrayer to the faithful, each person’s story holds lessons for us today. Together, we will see how their choices and actions helped shape the narrative of Easter.
Each Wednesday, we’ll focus on a different character, starting with Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus, moving through Peter, who denied Him, and Pilate, who washed his hands of the decision. We’ll then reflect on the faithfulness of Mary Magdalene, the first to witness the resurrection, before concluding with Jesus Himself, whose death and resurrection offer us forgiveness, hope, and new life.
This devotional series seeks to help us prepare our hearts for Easter by reflecting on the people involved in the story and considering how their experiences mirror our own journeys of faith. Whether we’re struggling with doubts, facing difficult decisions, or seeking a deeper and stronger walk with God, we’ll find our stories intertwined with theirs.
As we walk through these Faces of Easter, we’ll discover not only the impact they had on the events of that first Easter, but how they call us to live with greater faith, repentance, and hope in the Savior who changed everything.
Judas Iscariot – The Betrayer
Among the many faces of Easter, few are as haunting as that of Judas Iscariot. His name is synonymous with betrayal, and his story serves as a sobering reminder of how just being near Jesus does not always mean true devotion. This is someone who walked with Christ, witnessed His miracles, and heard His teachings firsthand, and yet – Judas ultimately chose to sell out the Son of God for thirty pieces of silver. His story forces us to examine our own hearts:
Do we truly love Jesus, or are we tempted to trade Him for the lesser things of this world?
"Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests and asked, ‘How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?’ And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus."
—Matthew 26:14-16 (NLT)
"Jesus responded, ‘It would be better for that man if he had never been born.’"
—Matthew 26:24b (NLT)
"Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself."
—Matthew 27:5 (NLT)
Judas Iscariot’s name is forever linked to betrayal, but before we dismiss him as merely a villain in the Easter story, let’s take a closer look at his journey. Judas was one of the twelve disciples, handpicked by Jesus. He was trusted with the group's finances and spent three years walking alongside Christ. And yet, despite this incredible privilege, his heart remained divided.
The Gospel of Matthew tells us that Judas went to the religious leaders and initiated the betrayal (Matthew 26:14). He didn’t stumble into this act—he actually sought it out. Why? As we read Judas’ story, Scripture tells us that greed plays a pivotal role.
John 12:6 tells us that Judas was a thief, often stealing from the group’s money. When Mary anointed Jesus with expensive perfume, Judas protested, saying the money should have been given to the poor. But John clarifies that Judas didn’t actually care about the poor—he cared about himself.
His motivations, however, might have been more complex than just greed. Some scholars and historians speculate that Judas expected Jesus to overthrow Rome and was disillusioned when He spoke of suffering and death. Perhaps Judas thought he could force Jesus' hand, compelling Him to rise up and claim power. Regardless of his reasoning, Judas’ heart was not fully surrendered to Christ.
The tragic part of Judas' story is not just that he betrayed Jesus, but that he lost all hope afterward. When he realized the weight of what he had done, he was filled with remorse (Matthew 27:3). But instead of turning to Jesus in repentance, he tried to undo his mistake on his own—throwing the money back at the priests before taking his own life.
Judas had spent three years with Jesus but in the end, never truly knew Him. He saw Jesus’ power but missed His love. He heard Jesus’ teaching but ignored the call to transformation. And when he needed grace the most, he didn’t believe it was available to him.
His story stands in stark contrast to Peter’s. Peter also failed Jesus—denying Him three times—but instead of despairing, he returned to Christ and was restored. Judas, on the other hand, isolated himself and let his shame consume him.
Personal Reflection
Judas’ story serves as both a warning and an invitation. It warns us that it’s possible to be close to Jesus physically but far from Him spiritually. It reminds us that unchecked sin—whether greed, pride, or disappointment in God’s plan—can harden our hearts. But it also invites us to respond differently than Judas did.
Instead of turning away in shame when we fail, we can turn toward Jesus in repentance. Instead of valuing the things of this world over Christ, we can recognize that He alone is our greatest treasure.
· Are there any areas of your life where you are "selling out" Jesus for something lesser?
· When you fail, do you tend to run away in shame or run toward Jesus in repentance?
· What steps can you take this week to keep your heart fully surrendered to Christ?
Prayer
Gracious Father,
As I reflect on the story of Judas, I am reminded of how easy it is to let my heart drift from You. Forgive me for the times I have chosen temporary things over eternal treasures. Search my heart, Lord, and reveal any areas where I am not fully surrendered to You. When I fail, help me to run toward You in repentance, trusting in Your mercy and grace. Keep my heart soft, my love for You genuine, and my faith unwavering. Thank You for Your endless love, even when I fall short.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
