We love a villain.
And we really love to believe we’re nothing like him.
But what if the story of Judas wasn’t just a cautionary tale?
What if it was a mirror?
And what if—without his betrayal—none of us would be saved?
In the Story of Judas: Betrayal as Catalyst
In the story passed down through scripture, Judas Iscariot is known for one defining act: he handed over Jesus to the authorities for thirty pieces of silver. A transaction that led to the crucifixion—and, ultimately, the resurrection.
So here’s the spiritual paradox:
Without Judas, there is no cross.
Without the cross, there is no resurrection.
Without the resurrection… is there salvation?
We can theologize endlessly about whether Judas had free will or whether he was “possessed by Satan,” but that kind of thinking keeps us at a distance. Keeps him at a distance.
But what if, instead of banishing Judas as irredeemable, we brought him closer to the fire of our own humanity?
We All Have a Judas
Here’s what I know from years of sitting with people in their most raw and relationally ruptured moments: we’ve all betrayed and been betrayed.
Sometimes we do it for power.
Sometimes for survival.
Sometimes we betray ourselves trying to keep the peace.
We say we want truth, but often we only want it when it doesn’t cost us connection, approval, comfort, or reputation.
The story of Judas isn’t just about him.
It’s about the parts in us that are afraid to tell the truth unless it’s rewarded.
The parts that sell out our knowing, our dignity, our boundaries—for a quick hit of security.
Was Judas Necessary?
There’s deep mystery here.
If the crucifixion was always going to happen, was Judas doing something terrible… or something essential?
In many mystical traditions, betrayal is part of initiation.
Descent comes before rebirth.
The soul often cracks through disruption—not comfort.
Could it be that Judas played his role so the prophecy could unfold?
Does that make him evil…
Or does it make him the one who bore the burden of being misunderstood for the sake of collective transformation?
Redemption for the Betrayer
Maybe the real invitation here is not to figure out if Judas was good or bad—but to stop pretending we’ve never walked in his sandals.
Because redemption isn’t reserved for the blameless.
It’s for the real.
If betrayal breaks the illusion, it can be the beginning of clarity.
If grief breaks your heart open, it can also tenderize your soul.
If you’ve hurt someone—or been hurt—and still desire to become more loving, more honest, more whole… you’re already walking the path of repair.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Exile the Judas Within
You don’t have to justify betrayal.
But you also don’t have to exile the parts of you that have made mistakes.
Maybe the story of Judas teaches us that sometimes the worst moment of our lives is the exact thing that sets something sacred in motion.
Let that land.
What if you didn’t have to get it perfect?
What if your fall from grace was just the beginning of your real return?
About Vanessa Zakeya Bryant, MS, LPC-Associate
Vanessa is a Relational Empowerment Therapist and the founder of Power Path Counseling. She helps highly sensitive individuals and deep-feeling couples break toxic cycles, set healthier boundaries, and build relationships that actually work. Using Neuro-Somatic Integration, EMDR, and Relational Therapy, Vanessa helps clients move from survival mode to fully living in their relationships with clarity and confidence.
Outside the therapy room, Vanessa finds renewal in the wild beauty of Austin’s Hill Country, soaking in spring-fed waters, exploring regenerative homesteading, making a delicious mess in the kitchen, and chasing her spirited pups through the woods.
📆 Ready to explore what your own “betrayal moments” might be pointing you toward? Schedule a consultation and let’s walk toward your next chapter—together.
🔥 You are not your worst moment. You are the one who rises after.
A Note on Sacred Stories:
The reflections shared here are drawn from ancient stories, not as absolute truths or fixed doctrines, but as symbolic narratives rich with insight. Whether you see the story of Judas and Christ as history, myth, or metaphor, its lessons offer us something timeless: a chance to reckon with betrayal, forgiveness, and the uncomfortable parts we all carry. Take what resonates, leave the rest.
