PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 27:1-5
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Judas was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver.” (Matthew 27:3)
Have you ever had a moment of regret like this?
When first tempted, all you could see was the benefit or the pleasure.
But after giving in, the sweet taste of sin becomes bitter.
In that moment, the tempter turns mocker and shames us.
“What is that to me, that’s your responsibility!” (Matthew 27:4)
In those times we realize the folly of our choice, and the emptiness of that sin.
Judas could not endure his feelings of regret, and took his own life.
Jesus urges us to come to Him with our feelings of regret.
The call to repent is a call to feel those feelings WITH Him.
This is not just something we do in the moment after we sin.
Ideally we should be constantly repenting, even before we sin.
That way, when the temper tempts us, we anticipate the regret.
We feel that sick feeling before we fall and say ‘no way, not again!’
Betraying Jesus, and ourselves, for empty pleasure is NOT worth it!
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be seized by remorse BEFORE I give in to temptation, that I may see the temptation for the empty thing it is, and that I may avoid having its ‘sweetness’ turn bitter in my mouth.
Lord keep me from regret, and give me the wisdom the think through the consequences my words and actions ahead of time. Thank you for forgiving us before we even begin to regret.
No hope. I have regrets for things I have done in the past – mistakes – but I have the hope of forgiveness! Judas despaired – his confession affirms Jesus’ innocence in a powerful way – but his remorse leads him to kill himself – he sees no chance for forgiveness. Keep thinking if he had lived after the he made the confession and threw the money back into the temple – if he had met Jesus after the resurrection. Was Judas forgiven – given his confession? What about people today who see no hope and kill themselves? I don’t know – but I do know I need to cling to the hope we have that I am forgiven through Jesus – I have remorse and regret but I know I am forgiven!
Sin.
Sinning.
It always seems to be inviting, but afterwards, regret. Despair.
Judas took everything in his own hands, instead of coming to the Master. Peter did. The thief on the cross did. I need to come to Jesus at all times – in my doubts, despair, temptations and also in my joys, blessings, happiness. Always in His presence. He has taught me to pray also this day, ‘Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’
In doubt and temptation
I rest, Lord, in Thee;
My hand is in Thy hand,
Thou carest for me;
My soul with Thy counsel
Through life Thou wilt guide,
And afterward make me
In glory abide.
Refrain
My God, I will extol Thee
And ever bless Thy name;
Each day will I give thanks to Thee
And all Thy praise proclaim.