Following the anointing of Jesus for burial by Mary of Bethany, one of Jesus’ disciples, Judas, made a fateful decision, a decision to betray His master.
Then one of the Twelve-the one called Judas Iscariot-went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. [Matt 26:14-16]
I always wonder about Judas. How could he walk with Jesus for years and not know Him? I’ve heard a lot of ideas about why Judas did what he did … that he was looking for a radical messiah that would overthrow Roman rule … that he sold Jesus out to the chief priests in order to force Jesus’ hand and make Him be what Judas wanted Him to be.
Whatever his reasons, we know that Judas regretted betraying Jesus. After Jesus was condemned, he was overcome with remorse and went back to the chief priests to try to undo what he had done. He returned the blood money and said, “I have sinned for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
The chief priests could not have cared less. They had what they wanted and weren’t about to reverse their plot to have Jesus killed.
Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. [Matt 27:3-5]
I doubt there is a sadder story in all of history. Jesus’ friend sold Him to His enemies for a pittance. Then destroyed any hope of forgiveness by taking his own life.
What a wasted life – one that had the greatest potential. He could have been numbered with the Apostles of Christ Jesus, listed with Peter and John and James and Paul and the others who changed the world. Instead his name has become synonymous with betrayal and deceit.
We have marvelous potential in Christ Jesus to change the world around us – let’s not waste it!
