Scripture

“I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”

Observation

The leading priests and elders meet early in the morning to plan Jesus’ death. They tie Him up and take Him to Pilate.

Judas regrets his decision to betray Jesus. He hadn’t realised that they intended to kill him. He tries to return the money and reverse the deal, but the priests will not have it. Judas throws the money down on the floor and then goes and hangs himself.

The priests decide that they cannot put the money back into the Temple treasury as it was payment for murder, so they decide to buy a field to be used as a cemetery.

Application

When Judas realised that he had participated in the death of Jesus, he was struck be remorse. He tried to stop the process, but having no further value to the authorities, he was powerless to change anything.

Judas recognised too late that he had sinned. The consequences of his sin continued relentlessly, as they often do. The only thing left for Judas to do was to kill himself.

If only he had turned to the Lord and asked for forgiveness. Even this sin would have been forgiven.

Instead, Judas allowed his feelings of guilt to be the final word.

God’s word of grace is always greater than our sin.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the awesome power of your grace. There is no sin that you will not forgive if only we will come to you in humility and repentance. Amen.