March 24

Matthew 27:1-10 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

3Then 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, 4saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." They said, "What is that to us? See to it yourself." 5And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.

Observation

1. Judas, the one who betrayed Him, confirms Jesus's innocence. How often does your betrayer become your witness ?

2. Judas makes decisions without any regard to Jesus. "Judas ... saw, he changed his mind ...., saying ...., he departed and hanged himself". Its seems like a pattern that is all too familiar when we focus on ourselves. Judas betrays Jesus, and then he realizes that Jesus is innocent. He goes before the chief priests and elders to testify Jesus' innocence but when they do not listen, he falls into despair and hangs himself. It is about how Judas makes all the decisions and reacts without involving Jesus. How could Judas, who was with Jesus for 3 years, saw the miracles He performed, and was taught by Jesus not understand him?

Application

How often do I make a mistake and then try to correct it by myself? When it fails, I compound my mistake when I refuse to repent and turn to Jesus. When I make a mistake or commit sin, I need to repent and trust Jesus to forgive. I should run to him and not away from him, then make the choice to involve Jesus in my decision making processes.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I worship you, for you are truly the Holy One and I thank you that you died on the cross for a sinner such as me. I pray that I would have a fuller understanding of you and be able to walk with you each day. I thank you that even when I sin and become so filled with despair that I can still approach you, repent, and be restored.

--Kyung Ho Hong