Gospel Gazette Online
Volume 27 Number 10 October 2025
Page 12

Even Judas? Yes, even Judas.

Chad Ezelle

Jesus was all-knowing. Jesus was God on Earth, and He could do, say or know whatever He wanted about mankind and his surroundings. At the time of that last meal in the borrowed room, Jesus knew Judas would betray Him. Judas, the one Jesus had fed, loved, helped, taught, prayed with and invested in was going to sell his Friend for the price of a slave within the hour. Yet, Jesus still washed his feet.

Satan had already put (literally, thrown) the betrayal into Judas’ heart, and Jesus knew it. After three years with Jesus, Judas should have had the faith shield (Ephesians 6:16) up and ready for the darts of Satan, but he was too interested in other stuff—material things. Remember, he was the one who handled the money for Jesus and His entourage. After all that time, the talks they had together, the time spent teaching others, the time spent working miracles and all the other things Jesus did with him, Judas was about to betray our Lord. Still, Jesus washed his feet, knowing it wouldn’t make a bit of difference to Judas.

Have you ever thought about why? Jesus knew it wouldn’t change Judas’ course of action. He knew Judas would still betray Him, and He knew that Judas wouldn’t appreciate in the least the humble service of washing his feet. However, Jesus wasn’t washing Judas’ feet for Judas; He was doing it because it’s what God wanted. It was pleasing to God.

Our service to others is done—at its core—because it pleases God. We don’t meet needs, invest time and serve others because it might get a good return. We don’t do it to get some kind of repayment on our time, money, energy or effort. We don’t even serve people because we think it might work—might get them to give their lives to Jesus. We serve because we love God and know our service to other people pleases Him. It’s what He wants from us.

Are you giving it to Him? Who have you served today? This week? This month? Even if it’s your Judas, God wants you to serve Him by serving people. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23 NKJV).