Finding Forgiveness
Judas said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. Matthew 27:4-5
Thirty pieces of silver. This was the amount that Judas received to betray Jesus over to His persecutors. Commentators have different ideas about how much that might be worth today. There is an irony in considering the immeasurable cost of Jesus' sacrifice, as compared to the meager sum that was the price of his betrayal.
Jesus was betrayed and handed over to be killed. Yet He went to the cross to endure the sins of all people. No one is beyond forgiveness in this time of grace. The accounts of Judas in the Bible say that he was overcome with guilt and that he returned the money. But Judas cut his time of grace short. In his grief, he took matters into his own hands and ended his life.
In our own hands, forgiveness is cheap: it means nothing. Apart from Jesus, there is no forgiveness. But because of Jesus and through His work and sacrifice, it is priceless. It is full of meaning. “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).
Many p eople have fallen away from the faith, not just Judas. God has no desire to see the wicked perish (1 Timothy 2:4, see also Ezekiel 18). But in Christ, you are rescued from the task of making atonement. In Him there is redemption. By God’s guidance, you are led by His word instead of the grief of your sins. In Him there is forgiveness.
Oh, watch and fight and pray. The battle ne’er give o’er;
Renew it boldly ev’ryday And help divine implore.
Ne'er think the vict’ry won Nor lay thy armor down;
Thine arduous work will not be done Till thou obtain thy crown.
The Lutheran Hymnal 449:2-3