01/30/2026
On the surface, this kind of sounds profound, but it collapses the moment you examine it biblically.
The statement replaces theological depth with rhetorical shock. It sounds thoughtful, even compassionate, but it relies on several serious errors.
First, it subtly redefines discipleship away from obedience. Scripture never presents love for our Messiah as an abstract emotional posture toward others, let alone toward His betrayer. Jesus Himself defines love in covenantal terms: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
Love for Messiah is demonstrated through obedience, faithfulness, pursuit of righteousness, and submission to His lordship, not through a sentimental exercise designed to appear morally superior.
Second, the statement misrepresents Judas. Judas is not portrayed in Scripture as a misunderstood victim or a moral test case for some weird spiritual empathy. He is consistently described as a thief (John 12:6), a betrayer (Matthew 26:14–16), and one who acted in willful rebellion. Jesus calls him “the son of perdition” (John 17:12). To elevate Judas into a benchmark for the love of Believers is to override the biblical witness and replace it with modern psychological projection.
Third, it confuses universal love with moral equivalence. Believers are indeed called to love their enemies, but biblical love does not erase truth, accountability, or judgment. Jesus loved Judas. But remember that God hates sin. It's the sinner that gets punishment and consequences, not the sin.
Jesus washed the feet of Judas, and extended fellowship, but He also spoke directly about his sin and its consequences. Love in Scripture never requires affirming betrayal or reframing evil as something to embrace. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness is the opposite of the command to love.
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Fourth, the statement diverts the focus from Messiah to self. Instead of asking, "Am I obedient to God? Am I faithful to His word?" the emphasis becomes "Look at how magnanimous I am. How radically inclusive I am." This is not the humility of the cross but a subtle moral performance, where compassion becomes a badge of spiritual sophistication. It is virtue signalling and a twisting of the narrative, like where Maleficent is reframed in the latest movie as the victim, and the lines between good and evil are blurred.
Finally, the phrase empties love of its biblical content. Love divorced from truth is no longer love, but sentiment. Love that ignores repentance, obedience, and holiness is not Biblical, no matter how compelling it sounds.
In short, this statement replaces the costly call of discipleship with a shallow slogan. The true test of loving our Messiah is not whether we can manufacture affection for a biblical villain, but whether we bow to Him who died for us, as Lord, obey His word, and remain faithful even when that faithfulness is costly.
I have said it before, and I'll say it again. We love our words. We love to tell Jesus we love Him. Our words are pathetic. He's not our boyfriend or pizza or chocolate. He isn't asking us to say we love Him or sing songs about how much we love Him.
I John 3:24
Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
Ultimately, it's not about our human love and its inferior expressions. It's about the love of God Almighty and His Word that became flesh. We are not called to love His betrayer.
(via Dee Catz)
