Response

Matthew 27 starts with one of the saddest stories in the bible.

 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

Judas turned Jesus over to his accusers, just like Jesus knew he would do.  And here we see that Judas was “seized” with remorse, confessed his sin, and realized that he had betrayed Jesus.  He even told the priests and elders his confession.

But their reply is unfeeling and uncaring, as they flippantly told Judas it was none of their concern.  And after that encounter with the religious leaders, Judas hung himself.

Wow.

I can’t imagine any greater sin than that of betraying the son of God to be taken and crucified.  And yet, God sees sin as sin, none greater or less than the other. We are all born sinners, capable of betrayal, accusation, and all types of wrongdoing.

What if Jesus’ response to us, when we feel remorse for our sin, and we confess it out loud, was to turn to away from us and tell us to deal with it on our own because it meant nothing to him?  Our response might be just like Judas, to hang ourselves, because guilt is a noose around the neck that just tightens over time, sucking our life away.

Jesus doesn’t treat us like these religious leaders did. He turns towards us, forgives us, and forgets whatever it is we have done.

If you’re choking out of guilt, all you have to do is see Jesus, confess your sin, and you’re set free to breathe…and live.

It’s that simple.