Moment of Meditation: Condemned Himself (Matthew 27:3-5)

''Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." They said, "What is that to us? See to it yourself." And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:3-5)''

Judas had betrayed Jesus. He thought he was helping get Jesus' kingdom moving. But it quickly turned bad. Judas knew that Jesus was going to die. He wanted to give the money back so he could--maybe--rescue Jesus.

He repented of his sin, but there was no forgiveness to be given. Judas was in the wrong place. The chief priests and the elders could not give him forgiveness. Only Jesus could forgive him.

Dejected and mournful, Judas goes out and does what he thinks will save his soul. To offer himself for his sin. But in this mindset he condemns himself. As with the other disciples, Judas didn't understand what Jesus was trying to teach them. It wasn't until after Jesus died and rose again that they understood. But Judas can't wait that long. He condemns himself in his unbelief. Belief in Jesus gives forgiveness. Amen.