THE TRAGEDY OF JUDAS

Despite the speed and success of their manipulations, the Sanhedrin could not pass the death sentence on Jesus. This had to be pronounced by the Roman governor and carried out under his authority. The temple elders now had to construct some political charge which Pontius Pilate could not dismiss. In the temple precinct, Judas watched the destructive plan unfold and realized, with huge remorse, the outcome that was now inevitable. The chief priests, however, were in no mood to engage with his regret – he had served their purposes. The money he no longer wanted was contaminating and could only be used to buy a burial ground for unclean bodies.

Flinging blood money into the heart of the temple was the action of a desperate man, now confronted with the gravity of his sin. Although he could hurl the money back, he could not take his own action back. Sin cannot be undone. Its consequences can rarely be avoided. Judas finally recognized the gravity of his betrayal. He had exposed an innocent man to the injustice of those who hated him. Jesus’ life would end on a brutal Roman cross. No wonder Judas could no longer live with himself. His suicide marked the realization that his existence was now intolerable.

Judas lived long enough to hate what his sin had bought him. He did what he thought he wanted, but came to detest it. This is a common human experience. Sin creates a longing which, when fulfilled, can so easily become a loathing. Sin can captivate us, also, and take us into bondage. Most of us are able, thankfully, to reach out to God and seek forgiveness for our wrongs. Jesus prayed from the cross even for those who killed him. We, unlike Judas, can rejoice that God’s grace is greater than our sin.

May we not hold on to sin, but have the humility to confess it before the Lord and receive his forgiving grace.