"I have sinned," [Judas] said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" [the chief priests and elders] replied "That's your responsibility." Matthew 27:4
The world (disguised as religion) and the devil used Judas to get what they wanted and then they cast him aside with no concern for the damage that had been done to his soul. How tragic that Judas turned from the One who truly loved him without condition to those who loved him only so long as he was useful. The world and the devil still chew people up and spit them out pretending to love them while they are useful and then casting them aside without concern. Whatever the world may offer for your friendship is not worth the final cost.
Father, I confess that the world's offers are sometimes quite alluring to my flesh. Grant to me the wisdom and grace to push the world's offers aside keeping my eyes fixed upon Jesus and Your unconditional love. And I pray help me to see those whom the world has cast aside that I might be used of you to bring them into Your arms of love and grace.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
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We get a little more of the story in Acts 1:16: "Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus." Recently I've been convicted about the Judas story concerning my entire Christian walk. Do I live an integrated Christian life at church, in the world, and at home, or am I a guide to those who betray Jesus? Do I serve him with my lips and fail to serve him with my entire life? If so, then I'm a sell-out. Dear Jesus, help me to love you in all places to all people. I want to be counted among those who love you wholeheartedly, in good times and bad. Amen
ReplyDeleteRemorse without hope leads to despair for life itself. Judas realized his mistake but he saw no hope, no way out. Contrasting Peter’s response with Judas’ response can add insight into our own response to situations where we fail the Lord. For a repentant heart, Jesus is always there to reconcile and restore. Pilate’s problem was that he cared more for the approval of people than he did for doing what was right and just. The salt on the situational wound was the choice to release Barabbas, a proven evil, instead of the One who had no evil. In the end, no amount of hand cleansing could erase the flaw of character and complete disregard of justice. Falsely accused, falsely tried and unjustly condemned, and Jesus answered not a word. There was no room in Jesus for revenge, or hatred, or self-will. What a model. What a Savior. Afterwards the soldiers mocked Jesus and beat Him and led Him off to be crucified. Those who watched knew of the truth for they repeated His words spoken before. What marvelous preaching out of the mouths of non-believers. Maybe this is an example of the rocks crying out. How soon would their words see truth unveiled. Jesus saved His words to speak from the cross. For three hours the world was in darkness. These must have been the worst of moments for Jesus in all eternity. Jesus must have felt abandoned to the level of soul despair. For the first time ever He could not feel the presence of God. This very act demonstrates the depths of His love for us. Jesus now cries out in a loud voice and gives up His spirit. Jesus is now alone in death. At that moment the curtain in the Temple protecting access to God was torn in two from top to bottom. Symbolically, Jesus is now the access point to God. There is no need for a priest or another person to be the go-between. The earth shook and many holy people who were dead were raised to life. The Scripture indicates that they stayed in the tomb area until Jesus was resurrected and then went into the Jerusalem and were seen by many people. Where these prophets of old or those who had recently died? All we know is that they were recognized as having been dead and were now alive. The centurion and soldiers are now faced with facts that they can not explain other than, “Surely He was the Son of God!” their “another day at the office” had turned into an unexplainable series of miracles. Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus’ body and prepared it for burial in his new tomb. The chief priest and Pharisees had witnessed the same event of crucifixion and come away still jaded, suspicious and full of self. Asking Pilate, they station a guard to secure the tomb. Where do you see yourself in this chapter?
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