Finding forgiveness when we fail is the story of every forgiven sinner. Unfortunately, some people, like Judas, don’t let the Lord forgive them. He was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus who spent three years with the Savior but threw it all away. Matthew 27:3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” [1]
Our lives are filled with daily choices that shape our character and destiny over time. Judas’ road to destruction did not start the day he went to the high priests to betray Jesus but earlier. John 12:6 Not that he cared for the poor—Judas was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. [2]
When we drift away from the Lord, we begin to make poor decisions that affect ourselves and those around us. Although Judas was a disciple of Jesus, it shows us that we must let the Lord mold and shape us and remove things from our lives. We may be thieves today, but we don’t have to be one tomorrow as Jesus transforms us.
The Priests Failed to Throw Judas a Lifeline
We get insight into the heart of the religious leaders as Judas threw the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests. Their job was to teach the people about God and act as intercessors so they could turn from their sins and be forgiven. Instead of helping Judas repent of his sins so he could be forgiven, they handed him a figurative boat anchor. Matthew 27:4“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” 5 Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself. [3] The priests had rejected Jesus as Messiah and their job as priests.
Being Forgiven
No day goes by that we don’t sin and must ask for forgiveness. Sometimes, our failures are such that we falsely believe God will not forgive us, but this is untrue. Forgiveness was available to Judas just as it was for Peter when He denied Jesus. Judas and Peter had failed but responded differently to their crisis.
Peter truly repented and was restored by Jesus after His resurrection. Judas, although remorseful, did not repent but took his life. No matter what we have done, the Lord calls us to repent of our sins, turn to Him, and be forgiven. If you are struggling with sin, call out to Jesus, who is waiting with open arms to forgive, love, and restore you. Forgiveness is the heart of the Gospel, but we must take the step of confessing our sins. Proverbs 28:13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. [4]
To learn about finding forgiveness when we fail, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/blind-ignorance
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.