He Washed Judas’s Feet Too
The Heart Behind the Betrayal
On Holy Wednesday, we usually reflect on Judas’s betrayal of Jesus. But we often don’t think about how Jesus responded to that betrayal—or what sparked it.
There’s a lot we don’t know about Judas’s reasoning, but John’s Gospel gives us a little insight into Judas’s heart, as well as the heart of our Savior.
The story begins when Mary of Bethany, moved by devotion and gratitude to Jesus for raising her brother Lazarus, anoints Jesus’s feet. She sacrifices something of great worth—the expensive perfume, along with her reputation—to honor her Lord.
What Judas Saw… and Missed
But when Judas sees this, he doesn’t see devotion. He doesn’t see a servant honoring her King—he sees a woman wasting her dowry.
He focuses only on the monetary value and the temporary needs it could have met, without understanding the heart behind what Mary is doing.
Others may have thought Judas had honorable intentions. He even says:
“Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
— John 12:5
But John reveals Judas’s true heart in the very next verse:
“He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money bag and would steal part of what was put in it.”
— John 12:6
When Hurt Turns Into Betrayal
Judas, in his greed, likely felt betrayed by Jesus and wanted vengeance. Because of this, he makes up his mind to profit for himself—selling out his Rabbi for thirty pieces of silver.
He becomes so blinded by his hurt and his greed that he forsakes the One who has loved him and taught him for three years.
And Yet… Jesus Still Served Him
And yet, when the disciples gather the next day for Passover, Jesus still washes Judas’s feet.
He still shares the cup and the bread—His body and His blood—with Judas.
Jesus knows Judas will betray Him. He even hints at it to the other disciples, which leads to them arguing about who is the greatest and who might betray Him.
But Jesus still chose Judas.
He still called him. He still walked with him for three years. He still shared life with him. He treated him no differently than the others—even knowing what Judas would do.
And He died for Judas too.
What This Means for Us
Jesus does the same for us today.
He knows every choice we are going to make. He knows we will fall back into old sin patterns. He knows the ways we will fail and even betray others.
And yet… He still calls us.
He still says:
“I forgive you, my child, and I love you. Now go and sin no more.”
The only difference between us and Judas is what we do with that forgiveness.
Judas let the guilt consume him until he couldn’t take it anymore.
But what about us?
Will we let shame keep us stuck… or will we walk forward into the grace God is offering?
