Judas Iscariot (Part 4)

There Is A Sad End Where Forgiveness is Not Found

Judas has a change of heart after the betrayal (Matt. 27:1-4). It seems that Judas may not have been aware of the true intents of the chief priests. It is possible that he was simply a pawn in a game played by the priests. Regardless, Judas felt great regret for the actions which he committed. He felt such regret that he takes the money which was given to him and tries to give it back. “I have sinned because I have betrayed innocent blood.” Judas, having spent all this time with the Christ knew that Jesus was innocent of the punishment He was about to receive. The bitter indifference on the part of these chief priests is seen. They have already accomplished their goals and Judas is no longer of any use to them. “It is not our problem. It is yours.” They placed full responsibility on Judas.

Judas has helped give Christ the death sentence. Could a man like that be forgiven? It is easy for us to give a quick and resounding, “No.” Remember, he was not the only one who committed an error that day. There were others who were guilty of putting Jesus to death (Acts 2:36). Peter did not mince words on the day of Pentecost by telling these people, “You have murdered the Christ.” They were still offered an opportunity to be forgiven (Acts 2:38). One chapter later one read, “And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers” (Acts 3:17). What did they do through ignorance? They killed the Christ. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). They were still able to be forgiven.

What Judas outside the realm of forgiveness? NO! God would have been able to forgive Judas for the actions which he committed. God would have accepted him back if only Judas would have made things right. …if only… How wonderful would it be for us to read of Judas coming to God in humility, standing before the resurrected Christ, and being relieved that the blood of Christ had washed away those sins?

“And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself…and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.” (Matthew 27:5; Acts 1:18). He committed suicide. Luke tells us that Judas went to “his own place” after his death (Acts 1:25). That is a very tactful way of saying that Judas went to destruction. Godly sorrow should have led him to repentance but he did not seek such (2 Cor. 7:10).