DEATH TO CONTROL

We don't know exactly why Judas betrayed Jesus. One theory is that Judas, like many, believed the Messiah would establish an earthly kingdom. As the treasurer, Judas would have had power and status in such a kingdom. But Judas’s actions reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and message. While Jesus spoke of a kingdom, it was a kingdom of heaven, not a kingdom of this world. Judas, like many Jews, was focused on the here and now, on the tangible benefits of a political revolution. When Jesus spoke of a spiritual kingdom instead, Judas may have been led by greed and a desire for status to betray Jesus, seeking money and favor from the religious leaders. 
Judas put his faith in what he could control, focusing on the present and potential outcomes, rather than trusting in Jesus' kingdom. It was easy to have hope in someone claiming to be the Messiah, but ultimately Judas put his faith in his own ability to manipulate events and secure his future, rather than surrendering to God's will. This desire for control led him to betray Jesus, as he sought to shape the narrative and secure his own future.