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Journey to Jerusalem Day 44

Maundy Thursday, April 9 Matthew 27:1-10
1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.
3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, 10 and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me.”


This is a passage I have always struggled to understand. How could someone who spent three years listening, learning, and living daily with Jesus do what Judas did?
I think Judas was looking for another type of savior, one who would rescue Israel from the Romans. He had his mind focused on one scenario even though he saw and heard another scenario. Was Judas trying to force Jesus’ hand to do what he expected?
We know the events of the coming days were part of God’s ultimate plan, but Judas was still held responsible for his actions before God. Judas was remorseful but not repentant. As Matthew Henry in his commentary said: “Judas went far toward repentance, yet it was not to salvation. He confessed, but not to God; he did not go to him and say, I have sinned, Father, against heaven.”
How about you? Is your Jesus one of your own making, one you expect to grant your own wishes? Are you just sorry you did something wrong and got caught?
As we prepare today for Good Friday and Easter, we need to ask God for forgiveness and a changed heart to not sin the same way again.


For all from whom God’s face is hidden—by extremity of suffering, by unbelief, by loss of faith, by wickedness of men. For all righteous and faithful men, who are tempted to cast away faith or to lose confidence in God. For all who are perplexed by the darkness of the divine ways, not knowing why they are afflicted. For all who are burdened and troubled for the evil and suffering permitted by God to exist. Lord, hear our prayer.
—Henry Witherspoon