Judas Hangs Himself Matt 27:1-10; cp. Acts 1:18-19
1Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders of the people met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death.2Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.
3When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders.4“I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”
“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”
5Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.
6The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.”7After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners.8That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood.9This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says,
“They took the thirty pieces of silver—
the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel,
10and purchased the potter’s field,
as the Lord directed.”
Judas surely came to a complete understanding of what he had done. He was “filled with remorese.” He told the priest “I have sinned”.
We really do not know Judas’ ultimate destination. He could be spending all eternity in heaven or hell. Jesus said it would have been better if he had never been born, so perhaps that gives us a hint, but it is not a sure indicator. But having said that, Judas did take the first step toward salvation. He recognized his sin and was truly sorry for it. He rejected the benefits of his sin and saw how truly worthless the 30 pieces of silver actually were and got rid of them.
Are there things in this life that we sin for, and are worthless? Is there something we should be bitterly sorry for? This bitter remorse is a gift from God. Jesus had called Judas “friend” and I believe Jesus was calling Judas again to have faith in him through this deep sorrow.
We can compare Peter and Judas. They both sinned and they both knew it. They both had bitter regret for their actions. To us, it appears Peter was granted the faith to believe there was still some hope. Judas appears to have lost that hope. Never lose that faith and hope. Jesus can always forgive you. Jesus is always calling you back. If he granted Judas, the man who betrayed him, the remorse that calls us to turn back to Jesus, surely Jesus is calling us each back every time we sin.
Lord, open my eyes and my heart. Grant me grave remorse for my sins. *obbs*
