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LOVING JUDAS

Updated: 3 days ago

HOW TO LOVE SOMEONE WHO HAS WRONGED YOU.

Devotional by: Bishop Charlene M. Jamison.


It’s easy to love those who love us. It’s comforting to embrace the ones who lift us up and speak well of us. But the true test of Christlike love isn’t how we treat Jesus, it’s how we treat Judas.


If you’re like me, regardless of how deeply you love and care for people, there will be times when someone betrays you, sometimes without remorse, and often feeling justified in their actions. They lie on you, gossip behind your back, reject your kindness, and ridicule your faithfulness. And yet, Jesus calls us to love them anyway. It can be painfully difficult to keep showing love when the wounds are fresh, and you're met not with gratitude, but with rejection. But this is the very place where grace is revealed.


I have experienced deep hurt from family, friends, and even the church, but still, you must keep moving forward. It is written, 2 Timothy 2:3, "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." There were moments I wanted to throw in the towel because the pain and betrayal felt so piercing. Yet in those dark places, I was reminded of the love of Jesus. Even when I wounded Him afresh through my own denial, when I failed to reflect His love toward those who wronged me, He never stopped loving me. That truth humbles me and compels me to keep going, and I want you to know that you can get past the betrayal, you can get past the hurt, you just have to trust God to lead you. Now, truth is, the process is not overnight, it is going to take some time, but love Judas anyway. See below, 8 ways to help you grow through the emotions of hurt/ betrayal


“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8 (NKJV)


His love doesn’t quit, even when ours falters. And in that grace, we find the strength to walk forward with love, even through the pain.


Jesus knew Judas would betray Him. In John 13:27, after offering him bread, Jesus simply said, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” He didn’t retaliate. He didn’t expose. He chose mercy—and ultimately, love. The Lord’s silence wasn’t weakness; it was power under control.


Matthew 5:44 commands us: “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” To love Judas doesn’t mean we excuse the betrayal—it means we reflect the Savior.


This image depicts the moment when Judas (R), betrays Jesus (L) in the movie titled "JESUS."
This image depicts the moment when Judas (R), betrays Jesus (L) in the movie titled "JESUS."

Jesus told us to forgive not just once, but seventy times seven times (Matthew 18:22). That’s not a math lesson—it’s a lifestyle. When forgiveness becomes our rhythm, healing becomes our portion.


Romans 5:10 reminds us that we were once enemies of God, yet even then, Christ loved us enough to die for us. So when you feel the sting of betrayal, remember: loving Judas isn’t about ignoring pain—it’s about choosing the path of redemption.


Today, don’t just worship Jesus—imitate Him. Love the one who hurt you. Pray for the one who abandoned you. Forgive the one who betrayed you. Because in loving Judas, we become living vessels of the Gospel’s most radical truth: mercy always wins.


May God give you the strength to love boldly, forgive freely, and walk in peace. You’re not loving them because they deserve it—you’re loving them because He commands it and empowers you to do it.


Bishop Charlene M. Jamison, Jurisdictional Prelate

North Carolina Diocese of The House of God Church, Inc.


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8 ways to help you grow through the emotions of hurt/ betrayal

Loving someone who has wronged you, like Judas did Jesus, may feel impossible. But before love can begin, I suggest you first do the following that have helped me grow through:


  • Identify that there is an issue Proverbs 4:7 — “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Recognizing the problem is the first act of wisdom. You can’t heal what you won’t acknowledge.


  • Ask God to help you through it Psalm 121:2 — “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” When you invite God into your pain, you’re no longer carrying it alone.


  • Go to the person and share how you feel Ephesians 4:15 — “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Honest conversations, when done in love, can be the beginning of healing.


Approach the conversation with humility and God's heart Philippians 2:3 — “Do

nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others

above yourselves.” Humility opens hearts. It invites peace where pride would

build walls.


  • Refuse to let the issue dominate your thoughts Philippians 4:8 — “Whatever is true, whatever is noble... think about such things.” What you dwell on will shape your peace. Let God’s truth take up more space than the offense.


Below are 8 methods that have helped me, and I pray they can help you too.


  1. Forgive them, even if they don’t ask Luke 23:34 — “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Forgiveness doesn’t mean trust is restored immediately. It simply means the wound no longer has the power to rule your heart.


  2. Pray for them Matthew 5:44 — “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Every time you pray for them, your heart grows softer, and God steps into the middle of the pain.


  3. Bless them with kindness Romans 12:20 — “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.” Choosing kindness breaks the grip of bitterness. You don’t do it because they deserve it—you do it because grace changed you.


  4. Set healthy boundaries Matthew 10:16 — “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Jesus loved Judas, but He didn’t pretend the betrayal wasn’t happening. Boundaries are a form of wisdom, not punishment.


  5. Refuse to repay evil with evil Romans 12:17, 21 — “Do not repay anyone evil for evil... Overcome evil with good.” You never heal from betrayal by mirroring it. God calls you to be the difference.


  6. Speak truth with grace Ephesians 4:15 — “Speaking the truth in love...” If the time is right, share your hurt—but with gentleness. Truth wrapped in love can transform more than silence ever could.


  7. Remember your own need for grace Romans 3:23 — “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Betrayal cuts deep, but none of us are without fault. This posture of humility invites healing.


  8. Leave justice to God Romans 12:19 — “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. You don’t have to carry the weight of justice. Let God handle what you can’t.


If even one of these helps you breathe a little easier today, then that’s already a step toward peace.


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