Judas was a man of keen discernment and ability. “The disciples were anxious that Judas should become one of their number. He was of commanding appearance, a man of keen discernment and executive ability, and they commended him to Jesus as one who would greatly assist Him in His work.”1 Due to this ability that Judas possessed, it would have been a great disappointment for the disciples if Jesus had refused to accept him in their midst.

We must not assume that Judas was only a traitor in whom there was nothing good. The Spirit of Prophecy says: “Had Judas died before his last journey to Jerusalem he would have been regarded as a man worthy of a place among the twelve, and one who would be greatly missed.”2

Judas was an active member among the disciples. He was doing the work of an evangelist as we are doing today. But in his life were found many evil traits.

1. Love of money. The love of money was one of the things that lead to Judas’ failure. He had a strong love for money. He was the one in charge of the money collected for the needs of missionary work. But “this little money was to Judas a continual temptation, and from time to time, when he did a little service for Christ, or devoted a little time to religious purposes, he paid himself out of the meager fund collected to advance the light of the gospel.”5

2. Pride, selfishness, love of position. “Judas was highly regarded by the disciples and had great influence over them. He himself had a high opinion of his own qualifications, and looked upon his brethren as greatly inferior to him in judgment and ability. They did not see their opportunities, he thought, and take advantage of circumstances. The church would never prosper with such shortsighted men as leaders. Peter was impetuous; he would move without consideration. John, who was treasuring up the truths that fell from Christ’s lips, was looked upon by Judas as a poor financier. Matthew, whose training had taught him accuracy in all things, was very particular in regard to honesty, and he was ever contemplating the words of Christ, and became so absorbed in them that, as Judas thought, he could not be trusted to do sharp, far-seeing business. Thus Judas summed up all the disciples, and flattered himself that the church would often be brought into perplexity and embarrassment if it were not for his ability as a manager. Judas regarded himself as the capable one, who could not be overreached. In his own estimation he was an honor to the cause, and as such he always represented himself.”6

“Judas was . . . offended at Christ’s act in washing the feet of His disciples. If Jesus could so humble Himself, he thought, He could not be Israel’s king. All hope of worldly honor in a temporal kingdom was destroyed. Judas was satisfied that there was nothing to be gained by following Christ.”7

The apostle John, speaking about the love of God, declared: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God did not send His son to the world to save a category of people but to bring salvation to everyone who believes. Therefore, through His sacrifice, Jesus “is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him” (Hebrews 7:25).

“When Judas was chosen by our Lord, his case was not hopeless. He had some good qualities. In his association with Christ in the work, by listening to His discourses, he had a favorable opportunity to see his wrongs, to become acquainted with his defects of character if he really desired to be a true disciple. He was even placed in a position by our Lord where he could have his choice either to develop his covetous disposition or to see and correct it.”8

“Nothing that could be done to save Judas had been left undone. After he had twice covenanted to betray his Lord, Jesus still gave him opportunity for repentance. . . . No appeal that the divine-human heart of Christ could make had been spared.”9

At the Lord’s Supper, just before Judas betrayed the Saviour, he was given an opportunity to repent. We read that Jesus rose, laid aside His garments, took a towel, girded Himself, poured water into a basin, and started washing the feet of the disciples (See John 13:4, 5.) “Judas was the first whose feet Jesus washed.”10

“Had Judas accepted [the] last chance given him by Christ, the poor sinner would never have betrayed his Lord, and the words of Christ would never have been spoken, ‘Ye are not all clean’ (John 13:11).”11

“Judas, had he repented, would have been received and pardoned. The guilt of his soul would have been washed away by the atoning blood of Christ. But, self-confident and self-exalted, cherishing a high estimate of his own wisdom, he justified his course.”12

“The history of Judas is given as a representation of the history of some who will be in the church till the close of this earth’s history. There are more than one Judas among the professed followers of Christ. They are to be found in every country, in every church. Persons that are not Christians are brought into church relationship. They may appear to serve Christ; but because of this, it does not follow that they have the love of Christ in their hearts. There are those who have the name of being in the service of Christ, but who are inspired by the same spirit as was Judas.”13

“There will be those among Sabbathkeepers who are no truer at heart than was Judas; but the cases of such should be no excuse to keep others from following Christ.”14

Since the word of God declares that there is more than one Judas in the church today, we ourselves need to understand in what points we could - unknowingly - actually be like Judas!

We read in the Bible that “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).

“How many today are like Judas betraying their Lord! How many are sacrificing principle for the sake of worldly gain! Thus they crucify Christ afresh, and put Him to open shame.”15

“How many today are, like Judas, betraying their Lord? Those who follow dishonest practices in business, sacrifice Christ for gain and reveal a wisdom that is after Satan’s order. Speculation for selfish gain will not be brought into the life of the man who has that faith which works by love and purifies the soul.”16

Judas had such a high esteem of himself that he considered the other disciples as inferior. So are many in the church today. Like Judas, they think that they are the only ones who can do things better, and that without them nothing can be done properly. They are always ready to impose their opinions upon others. They have such a high view of themselves that they become proud and selfish. But the scriptures admonish us in these words: “In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). “Many are arbitrary, dictatorial, overbearing, boastful, proud, and unconsecrated. Yet some of these persons are ministers, handling sacred truths. Unless they repent, their candlestick will be removed out of its place.”17

In the words addressed to the Galatians, the apostle Paul said: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). To the Philippians, he said: “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Philippians 2:4).

“Judas was constantly planning to benefit self. In this he represents a large class of professed Christians of today. Therefore we need to study his case. We are as near to Christ as he was. Yet if, as with Judas, association with Christ does not make us one with Him, if it does not cultivate within our hearts a sincere sympathy for those for whom Christ gave His life, we are in the same danger as was Judas.”18

“We may learn an important lesson from the experience of Judas. We may be called disciples of Christ; we may hold our religious convictions firmly, and be able to present clear, connected arguments in their support; and yet, like Judas, we may hold the truth in unrighteousness. . . . When we trust to our own wisdom and judgment, as a large number do, we are in the sure path to shame and confusion of face. It is only through divine grace that we can overcome the defects in our character; but unless we make continued efforts to subdue them, they will become stronger, as in the case of Judas.”19

We need to strive against the defects of our character in the strength of Jesus!

“If Satan can employ professed believers to act as accusers of the brethren, he is justly pleased; for those who do this are just as truly serving him as was Judas when he betrayed Christ, although they may be doing it ignorantly. Satan is no less active now than in Christ’s day, and those who lend themselves to do his work will manifest his spirit.”20

“There are today those who have acted as did Judas. Every opportunity has been given them to hear the word of truth, and to be sanctified through it; but they refuse to eat the bread of life. They have been given light, but they have refused to walk in it, and the light has become darkness to them.”21

“In this age, if those who come under the precious influence of the truth do not become transformed in character, they will, like Judas, go from light to darkness; and how great will be their darkness.”22

The Bible tells us that we should not be only hearers of the word but also doers (James 1:22).

Many people, for a light reason, frequently decide not to take part in the holy Communion. So the word ‘you are not all clean’ pronounced in the case of Judas, may also be said of them. The word of God says: “None should exclude themselves from the Communion because some who are unworthy may be present. Every disciple is called upon to participate publicly, and thus bear witness that he accepts Christ as a personal Saviour. It is at these, His own appointments, that Christ meets His people, and energizes them by His presence. Hearts and hands that are unworthy may even administer the ordinance, yet Christ is there to minister to His children. All who come with their faith fixed upon Him will be greatly blessed. All who neglect these seasons of divine privilege will suffer loss. Of them it may appropriately be said, ‘Ye are not all clean.’ ”23

Judas was with Jesus, he heard His instructions, he walked with the Saviour, but he was not saved. The same thing may happen to many of us today. “God has appointed means, if we will use them diligently and prayerfully, that no vessel shall be shipwrecked, but outride the tempest and storm, and anchor in the haven of bliss at last. But if we despise and neglect these appointments and privileges, God will not work a miracle to save any of us, and we will be lost as were Judas and Satan.”24

We need to be careful of the way we deal with sin. Judas was lost because he cherished pride and love of money. So we should not tolerate any thing in us that would lead us to betray our Saviour in our life. We also need to guard against every tendency to neglect the work of sanctification of our souls. As Judas had the opportunity to walk with Jesus, we also have the privilege today to be among God’s people. But we should be careful - this alone cannot save us. Our only safety is to let our prayer ascend to the Lord asking Him as did David: “Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not” (Psalm 17:5).

If some of the traits that were in the life of Judas are seen in you, flee to Jesus without delay. For “He who washed the feet of Judas longs to wash every heart from the stain of sin.”25