Wednesday, March 29th Suicidal Remorse

So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

Matthew 27:5

Read Matthew 27:3-10

Watching the drama from backstage was Judas. He had delivered his lines. He had played his part. He hadn’t thought any further than the payoff.

It was to have been a simple exchange. The ex-disciple received a profit of 30 pieces of silver, and the chief priests got a few moments with Jesus. No complications, just a little business deal.

But that’s not what happened. As the betrayer looked on, his stomach soured and his muscles tightened. This simple transaction was turning into a nightmare.

Regret is an awful weight around the neck. Judas grieved over his betrayal. Nothing eased the pain. The 30 coins were like 30 snakes hissing out his guilt. He had to rid himself of the silver. The priests were not happy to see him again. They were too busy for this change of heart. He tried to explain his regret but they refused to take back the money. In desperation and grief, Judas clenched the silver, ran toward the sanctuary, and threw the coins as hard as he could, as if they held the stains of his betrayal. The quiet sanctuary echoed the ringing sound of 30 pieces of silver clattering to the marble floor.

Remorse is not dispelled that easily. Unable to face what he had done, Judas committed suicide. He hung himself from a tree until his body fell and burst disgustingly on the ground.

Something to think about

1. What did the priests do with the money?

2. Who replaced Judas as a disciple?

3. Was suicide the best alternative for Judas?

They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).

Mark 15:22

Read Mark 15:16-25

The games of the Roman soldiers continued. They bowed in mock worship before Jesus, laughing and shouting, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Repeatedly they beat the Savior on the head and face with a staff made of reeds. Spitting and joking they had their fun, like so many who scoff at Christ today. Naively they sealed their fate with their jesting.

Ripping off the robe which was adhered to the dried blood on the back of Jesus, the soldiers put the Galilean’s clothes back on Him, and began to lead Him through the streets and out of the city to His crucifixion.

Already exhausted from the scourging, Jesus struggled under the weight of the wooden beam that would be His cross. To hurry the proceedings, the Roman soldiers reached into the crowd of bystanders and grabbed a man from the country, Simon of Cyrene, who must have looked healthy and strong. They commissioned Simon to carry the cross to its destination, Golgotha.

The actual location of Golgotha is debated. The name means, “the place of the skull,” which could be a reference to the shape of the rock or to the place of death that it was. In Latin, it is translated into the word “Calvary.” Whatever the name, this was the place where our Savior lovingly and painfully bore the sins of the world.

Something to think about

1. How do people scoff at Christ today?

2. How do you think Simon of Cyrenewas affected by this?

3. Look up the hymn “At Calvary” and sing it!