When I first shared my story with someone, they called it beautiful. I couldn’t see it—my life felt like a car crash. But what they meant wasn’t the mess, it was the mercy, grace, and restoration of God shining through it. That’s the beauty of the gospel: God’s love transforms even our brokenness.
And that truth brings us to one of the hardest figures in the Bible: Judas Iscariot.
Jumping to Conclusions
We all jump to conclusions. (I’ve done it the hard way—twice—by wrongly congratulating women on pregnancies. Never again!)
And we do it with Judas. From the moment his name is mentioned, we label him the villain. The betrayer. The thief. The one beyond redemption. But is it that simple?
Judas and Peter: Two Betrayals
John 13 gives us the shocking moment: Jesus identifies Judas as His betrayer. But just hours later, Peter denies Jesus three times. Both betrayed Him—yet we treat them so differently.
Why? Because Peter’s story has space for grace. Peter repents, receives forgiveness, and is restored. Could Judas have been forgiven too? I believe Jesus’ grace was big enough—even for him.
Don’t Write People Off
Here’s the challenge: if we’ve written Judas off, who else are we writing off? Individuals? Groups? Whole communities? We might not think we’re being judgmental, but sometimes we act like judge, jury, and executioner.
Instead, Scripture calls us to make space for grace.
Beyond the Silver: What Really Motivated Judas?
The 30 pieces of silver—the price of a slave—wasn’t much. Judas wasn’t getting rich. More likely, he was disillusioned. Maybe he thought Jesus would lead a revolution. Maybe he wanted to force His hand. Judas expected a Messiah who’d fight, not one who’d surrender.
But the Kingdom of God doesn’t come by sword or coup—it comes by the cross.
Grace and Nonviolence
Where Judas (and often Peter, and maybe us) reached for power or violence, Jesus chose love, sacrifice, and peace. The Kingdom advances not by force but by grace.
And that same grace is available to us today. Grace that restores. Grace that forgives. Grace that opens the eyes of our hearts.
The Challenge of “Maybe”
Maybe we, like Judas, have moments of disillusionment with Jesus or the church.
Maybe we, like Peter, deny Him in small or big ways.
Maybe we’re quicker to judge than to forgive.
Maybe we need to rediscover the radical call to grace and nonviolence.
Whatever your “maybe,” God’s grace is big enough. So don’t jump to conclusions. Don’t write people off. Make space for grace.
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your outrageous grace. Help us not to judge too quickly but to see people as You see them. Open the eyes of our hearts to love, forgive, and walk in Your way of peace. Amen.
