Remorse Leads to Death; Repentance Leads to Life
Daily Scripture
Matthew 27:3-10
3 When Judas, who betrayed Jesus, saw that Jesus was condemned to die, he felt deep regret. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, and 4 said, “I did wrong because I betrayed an innocent man.”
But they said, “What is that to us? That’s your problem.” 5 Judas threw the silver pieces into the temple and left. Then he went and hanged himself.
6 The chief priests picked up the silver pieces and said, “According to the Law it’s not right to put this money in the treasury. Since it was used to pay for someone’s life, it’s unclean.” 7 So they decided to use it to buy the potter’s field where strangers could be buried. 8 That’s why that field is called “Field of Blood” to this very day. 9 This fulfilled the words of Jeremiah the prophet: And I took the thirty pieces of silver, the price for the one whose price had been set by some of the Israelites, 10 and I gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me [Zechariah 11:12-13; Jeremiah 32:6-9].
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Join us next Thursday or Friday for a special service remembering the events we have studied this week. Click here for times and locations.
Pastor Hamilton wrote, “What would have happened if Judas had waited just three days before taking his own life? Had he waited three days, he would have seen…. Jesus raised from the dead. Had he seen the risen Christ and fallen on his knees at Jesus’ feet, asking for mercy, what do you think Jesus would have said? There is no doubt he would have forgiven Judas.” * If you have feelings like Judas had, click here for resources Resurrection offers to help you to not make Judas’ tragic choice.
- Scholar N. T. Wright wrote, “There is a big difference between remorse, such as that of Judas, and genuine repentance, such as that of Peter…. Remorse and repentance both begin with seeing that something you’ve done was wrong. The first goes down the hill of… self-hatred and ultimately self-destruction, the way that leads to death. The second goes down the route Peter took, of tears, shame, and a way back to life.” ** Do you trust that God always calls you to take the life-giving road of repentance when you’ve done wrong?
- But others had a role in Judas’ tragedy. “The chief priests and elders showed no remorse for their night’s work…. when a man came into the Temple complaining bitterly of guilt, pleading for some kind of help, none was forthcoming…. This isn’t just about Judas wishing he’d never been born and the priests remaining aloof. This is the beginning of the end for the Temple.” *** Why is it vital that your faith community always offers the light of help and hope rather than condemnation and darkness?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you declared that you are the light of the world. Help me to always reflect and share that light with others, rather than the gloom of disapproval and darkness. Amen.
GPS Insights
Denise Mersmann
Denise Mersmann, who serves as the Care Coordination Director for the church wide Care Central department at Church of the Resurrection, wrote today's Insights.
Judas betrayed Jesus. He sold Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver.
It’s easy to judge Judas and condemn him. We wonder how he could possibly have done such a terrible thing. How could anyone do what he did?
It’s easy to stand on my moral high ground and think that I would never do such a thing. But, is it really true? Have I really never “sold Jesus out” for a few coins?
If I’m really honest with myself, I can think of many times I have made a moral choice that defies what Jesus teaches. And I don’t think I’m alone.
How many of us have passed someone in need, realized we don’t have any cash, so we just kept walking? Do we rush to an ATM to withdraw $10? Do we even pause to acknowledge our neighbor in need? Or do we just let it go? I mean, it should be an easy decision, but oftentimes we allow ourselves an out. We’re in a hurry, there are other people around… there are a lot of excuses to not do the right thing.
If we walk past that person in need, we have sold Jesus out for a few dollars.
It’s easy enough to tell ourselves we want to do the right thing. It’s not our fault. We just don’t have the time. But if we fail to reach out to the person struggling in our path, we have sold Jesus out for a few dollars.
But the bigger issue in Judas’ story is what he did after he sold Jesus out. He realized what he had done, but instead of asking for forgiveness, he chose to end his own life.
Judas failed to understand what Jesus had been trying to teach him all along. Jesus does not condemn us. He forgives. Over and over again. No matter what we do, Jesus forgives.
And that is the real message. We are going to make bad choices, we are going to do things that we aren’t proud of. The question is, what do we do next?
It’s never too late to go back and offer a helping hand, or a few dollars, or even a meaningful conversation.
And the next step, the thing that Judas failed to understand, is that we have to believe in God’s forgiveness. Jesus gives grace, beyond what we can possibly imagine. But we have to be ready to accept it. We have to show that we want to do the right thing for Him.
The question is, are we giving Him the chance to forgive? Are we honestly confessing what we have done wrong and sincerely trying to repent?
If we do that, Jesus will always forgive. What an amazing gift we are given if we just choose to ask for it.
© 2026 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* Hamilton, Adam, Journey to the Cross: Reflecting on 24 Hours That Changed the World (p. 72). Abingdon Press. Kindle Edition.
** Wright, N. T., Matthew for Everyone, Part 2: Chapters 16-28 (The New Testament for Everyone) (p. 173). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.
*** Ibid., pp. 173-174.
