1 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. 2 They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That's your responsibility.”
5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
Want to know what Satan’s response is to our succumbing to his temptations? Here it is in print – it’s our problem – it’s our responsibility. He does not care about us – never has, never will. The way of sin is always downhill. We should not for a nanosecond assume we will come forth victorious if we willingly and deliberately choose to deal with the devil. He is crafty and boastful, the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning, ever seeking our destruction no matter what he may whisper in our ear. Scripture tells us to watch out – be on our guard - against his evil schemes:
8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Eph 6:10-13 (NIV)
“Acknowledge your enemy, but keep your eyes on the Lord.” Robert J. Morgan
Contrast to God Who always has our best interest at heart – always. We can trust Him. Our Father loves us with an everlasting love. He has engraved us on the palms of His Hands. He longs to be gracious to us and has wonderfully great plans for us – plans to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us hope and a future. He is constantly with us and holds us by our right hand. He even rejoices over us with singing. Jeremiah writes:
11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer 29:11 (NIV)
“What can be deeper than His Presence and constant care? In a world in which multitudes feel isolated and alienated, we have the permanent companionship of the most loving and powerful Being in the universe. Nothing could be more important and life shaping than that. Whatever difficulty we go through, He nevertheless holds us by the hand.” Chris Tiegreen
“It is His love for man, His compassion for the human race, that prompts God to hate sin with such a vengeance. He gave Heaven’s finest that we might have the best; and He loathes with a holy abhorrence anything that would hinder our being reconciled to Him.” Billy Graham
In our verses for today we discover the religious elite arriving at the dire decision of putting our Lord to death. The Romans had taken away the Jews power of capital punishment and therefore these leaders had to deliver Him over to Pilate so that he might execute the sentence. Both Jews and Gentiles alike bear responsibility for nailing our Master to the cross. Roman writers characterized the governor as a man with a rough and haughty spirit. The Jews had a great enmity towards him yet they used him here as a tool for their hatred against Christ. The chief priests and elders tied our Lord’s hands behind Him and led Him forth as a convicted criminal – as a lamb to the slaughter - to receive His sentencing.
Next we see Judas, filled with remorse over his actions, returning the thirty coins to the religious elite. Their response was indicative of the condition of their cold and hardened hearts. Those who love treason usually hate the traitor. They bore neither responsibility nor compassion for Judas’ remorse. Too bad for Judas, he chose the wrong people to repent to. He should have come to the Lord in full repentance Who turns no one away who willingly seeks Him. Throwing back his “Delilah” into the temple, Judas leaves the scene and hangs himself. He can’t take the heaviness of his remorse therefore he ends his earthly life only to wake up in the unquenchable fires of hell. Surely our Lords Words ring true:
“But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:5 (NIV)
“Long after sin stains, it stings.” Ann Voskamp
“Serious and sincere repentance routes us back into God’s will.” Robert J. Morgan