THURSDAY, MARCH 9
Matthew 27:1-10
Matthew 26:48

"… he that betrayed him
gave them a sign…"

UNREPENTANCE

Judas carried out his satanic task as he went to the chief priests and betrayed his Lord. He had these dark deeds planned quietly and deliberately. Satan entered into him, not that Judas was formerly directed by the Spirit of God, for he had always been the slave of Satan. He was a con man who pretended to be a believer but in reality was not. Judas acted under the satanic influence in complete accordance with the divine foreknowledge, but he was still responsible for his own devilish actions.

Judas then "sought how he might conveniently betray him (Jesus)" (Mark 14:11). He waited for the right opportunity to secure his blood-money. Judas sought the door to hell, and waited for it to open, not realizing he was about to sin against light and love. An apostate not only turns his back to the Master but also bites Him. What an ugly picture of a brute beast, untamed and fierce.

After the betrayal, when Judas saw that Jesus had been condemned to death, he was filled with remorse. He brought the money back to the chief priests and elders. However, his repentance did not denote a change for the better, but only of views and feelings. An unconverted person does not know and cannot have true repentance. Yes, he "repented himself " (Matt 27:3), but a repentance that wrought no saving act of faith in his heart. It was a worldly sorrow that feared the consequences, a penitence that does not lead to a hatred of sin.

Christians, let us not view sin lightly. It is not just a feeling of guilt or fear of evil circumstances that drives us to repentance. It must be the convicting power of the Holy Spirit leading us to see the justice of God upon sinners. Jesus suffered on the cross to pay for the penalty of our sins. He died for you and me. Let us quickly repent of our sins.

THOUGHT: Do I quickly come to God in repentance of my sins?
PRAYER: "I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin" (Ps 32:5).