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Repent

Jesus has been arrested. He has been tried by the religious elites. Judas changes his mind and tries to undo things. It is too late.

Am I Judas? I have missed God’s goal for my life (aka sin). Jesus, innocent and the perfect Son of God, died for me. I have been redeemed. I am saved from the fate of Judas. This is a stern warning for us all. Betraying Jesus leads to death. Accepting Jesus leads to restoration and life, like Peter experienced. I want life.

In the first light of dawn, all the high priests and religious leaders met and put the finishing touches on their plot to kill Jesus. Then they tied him up and paraded him to Pilate, the governor.

Judas, the one who betrayed him, realized that Jesus was doomed. Overcome with remorse, he gave back the thirty silver coins to the high priests, saying, “I’ve sinned [missed God’s goal]. I’ve betrayed an innocent man.”

They said, “What do we care? That’s your problem!” | Matthew 27:1-4 (The Message Bible)

The Greek word translated “repented himself” in Matthew 27:3 indicates, not a sorrow for sin that leads to a change of mind and action, but a regret at being caught, a remorse that leads to despair. Peter truly repented, and Jesus restored him. But Judas did not repent, and this led him to suicide.

Judas had sold Jesus for the price of a slave (Ex. 21:32). In desperation, he threw the money on the temple floor and left. The Law would not permit the use of this kind of tainted money for temple purposes (Deut. 23:18). The leaders were careful to observe the Law even while they were guilty of breaking it. They used the money to buy a “potter’s field” where Jewish strangers who died could be buried properly.