I had not given Judas much thought until I came across this thread.
It is interesting that he was chosen as a disciple and that he betrayed Jesus when really there would have been other ways the authorities could have apprehended Him.
What is his role? How is He needed and essential to the Story.
I have to consider that:
Matt 26:24 " . . . But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
Mark 14:21" . . . But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
Luke 22:22 " . . . But woe to that man who betrays him!”
John 13 . . . Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. . . . Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. . . Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’“ . . . After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” . . . Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night." . . .
As to his fate, it seems to me that if one is to spend eternity face-to-face with God, it is good that he was born.
Jesus is having Passover meal with those He loves. Judas had succumbed to the Devil’s temptation before the meal, having made arrangements with the chief priests. As Cain was warned by God, so is Judas. In the act of taking the bread, Judas, like Adam, chooses to betray our Lord. Satan enters into him. No one could imagine that someone who knew Jesus and had witnessed all that He had done, could betray Him. It can be difficult to accept that someone, all of us actually when we sin, can reject God’s love.
Scripture reveals the extent of God’s love for us. It also makes it perfectly clear that there is judgement. There are reasons why Judas was chosen as an apostle; he could have chosen not to betray Jesus, and what then could have been his ministry would have brought many to God. As it is, he does so by making us reflect on the nature of sin, how readily we can succumb to it as well as on its dire consequences.
Even though many are swift to condemn Judas they forget “it is good that he was born” and suffered the unimaginable torment of remorse - which is a far cry from the pure evil and diabolical delight of Satan reflected in those who derive pleasure from torturing and murdering children, an atrocity which serves no beneficial purpose whatsoever.
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