Judas Takes His Life

Matthew 27:3-10 (NLT)

³When 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.”

“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”

⁵Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.

⁶The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.” ⁷After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. ⁸That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood. ⁹This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says,

“They took^[b] the thirty pieces of silver—the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel,
¹⁰and purchased the potter’s field, as the Lord directed.”

A Step Further: When You Think Your Sin Is Too Great To Be Forgiven

Have you ever had a moment where you’ve thought your sin was too great to be forgiven? You’ve made such a mess of things and hurt someone so deeply there is no way possible they’ll forgive you, God will forgive you, and you can live with yourself. Instead of confronting the sin head on, you hide it, bury it, run from it. Judas, instead of asking for forgiveness, chose to end his life. Perhaps he did it out of fear. Perhaps he felt like there was no coming back from what he did. We don’t know. Here’s what we do know and can hold on to today:

While our sin separates us from God (it’s why we want to run and hide), we don’t have to stay separated. How is this possible?

Only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

At the cross, God’s perfect love was seen as Jesus took on our sins. He stood in our place, receiving the punishment meant for us. For everyone who trusts in the death and resurrection of Christ, God will clearly say, “Your guilt is taken away and your sin is atoned for. You are forgiven.” This is unquantifiable, immeasurable, eternal love.

Micah 7:19 says, “Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!” Did you catch that? Not near the shore where they could easily be brought up again, but to be forgotten in the very depths of the sea.

When you believe in Jesus for your salvation, your sins no longer condemn you. This forgiveness and grace is the greatest news you’ll ever hear.

C.S. Lewis said, “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”

You are forgiven. You do not need to run. You do not have to hide. Do what Judas didn’t – confess your sin, receive forgiveness, and move forward in God’s grace.

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Meet The Tour Guides

John Lawhon

There’s no pretense with John. He’s the real deal: a “girl dad,” pickleball champ, and he loves making the Bible easy and accessible. Listen to John weekdays on BRIGHT-FM Mornings with John & Tiffanie.

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Meet The Tour Guides

Pat Linnell

It’s Pat’s 20+ years in pastoral ministry that sparked Grace Bomb: a movement of no-strings-attached acts of love inspired by Jesus (it’s as fun as it sounds!). As a pastor and author, he’s passionate about putting that kind of love into action.

Learn about Grace Bomb

^{A Step Further written by Erin Branham. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.}

Judas Takes His Life

Judas Takes His Life

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