I just finished Matthew’s gospel, and as I got to this text in the 27th chapter, I stopped for a few moments to reflect on the scene: “Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” (Matthew 27:3-4)
If you know the rest of
the story, a very remorseful Judas went out and hung himself.
Did you ever wonder
what would have happened if Judas had not repented to the wrong people, but instead
repented to the One whom he betrayed?
If you have even an
iota of doubt as to what Jesus would have done for Judas, then that might
explain why you still have doubts about Christ’s forgiveness after you repented
to Him of your sins.
OF COURSE, Jesus would
have forgiven Judas. There should be no doubt whatsoever about that. So, listen,
please. This is important:
Jesus forgave Peter for
denying three times that he knew Him. And the Lord forgave Saul (later known as
the apostle Paul) who at one time ravaged the fledgling Church, dragging men
and women off to prison and tried to force them to blaspheme Christ (see Acts
26:11). And Christ’s mercy has continued through the era of Church history, to
this present moment.
OF COURSE Jesus would
have forgiven Judas if he’d repented to the right Person. And of course, of
course, of course – Jesus will forgive ME and YOU and anyone else who repents to
Him and to Him alone.
Murderer? Denier of
God? Adulterer? Blasphemer? Fornicator? Read what God promised the penitent
sinners in Corinth: “Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor
thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you;
but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you
were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of
our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Listen, please! No sin
is so deep that Christ’s mercy and forgiveness is not infinitely deeper.
But Satan wants us to believe
that Christ’s atoning blood is insufficient to cleanse our sins – especially
our darkest sins. Don’t listen to the devil. Remember what Jesus said of him: “Whenever
he [Satan] speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he
is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44b).
Yes, Judas’ sin was a
horrible, horrible act of betrayal. But when he realized his sin, he repented
to the wrong people. And THAT was his undoing.
Please, don’t YOU do
that. Whatever sin it is that troubles you, whatever is that sin which you
believe is beyond Christ’s forgiveness and mercy – listen once more to what God
promises you: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to
forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1
John 1:9)
So? Will you believe
God? Then what are you waiting for? Repent – tell God you are so very sorry for
what you have done. Ask His forgiveness. And then immediately thank Him for
that forgiveness.
He will NEVER break His
promises.
Never.
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