March 23, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 34 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Week Jesus Dies
Read Sections 5.47 through 5.48 (pages 173-175)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
Hey church! Not been following the Jesus book. But I have been doing quite a bit of reading the gospels for the last week before the crucifixion. Focused recently on Pilate’s interaction with Jesus. Seems he was given an opportunity, as a Gentile, to decide himself, what is truth. Jesus made a point that to say Jesus was a King is a big deal. Pilate deflected, that he was not Jewish. We all need a King, Lord, and Savior. Trick is finding someone to help us see our need. -gy
That is great Gordon! Glad you posted that you did!
The Life of Jesus 5.47-5.48. I realize these excerpts of Gospel in these particular passages of Jesus agony and trials are very aligned with the film “Passion of The Christ” very powerful movie; awesome film from Mel Gibson. I usually watch it around this time of the year. If I remember in the film Judas is possessed by demons/satan throughout up until his hanging which I would think is maybe a combination of scripture but more film. I guess the big mystery though I always think about is was Judas forgiven by God? He did express regret and acknowledged he sinned, even when satan entered his heart at the last supper and it had to happen to fulfill the Scripture. It’s always been a curiosity of mine.
I would say more likely no than yes…seeming his sorrow was worldly sorrow as opposed to godly sorrow since it led to suicide. He is also called the son of perdition. But some would argue differently. Let me know if you would like a more complete answer as I would need to look things up to provide it…
5.47 Jesus Before the High Council (Matt 26:57, Mark 14:55-65) The kangaroo court almost gets out of hand as all the false witnesses fail to make charges that agree with one another…to the point where Caiaphas takes over himself by asking Jesus directly to respond to the claims. Jesus makes no answer…so Caiaphas ups the ante and asks Jesus directly if he is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed. And now, Jesus answers “I AM” along with a lot of Scriptural references to further fulfill prophecy. But blinded by their idolatry and fear, these religious leaders fail to see their long-awaited hope standing right before them, and instead, condemn him to death.
5.48 Judas Kills Himself (Matt 27:1-10) I wrote on this in early responses…but my study Bible gives wise council in the notes, I think…”Judas felt the sting of his own guilt, but this was not genuine repentance. There is a godly sorrow that leads to repentance, but Judas’s remorse was of a different kind, as demonstrated by his suicide.” I have heard it said that when we experience guilt, we tell ourselves “I have done wrong”….but when we experience shame, we tell ourselves, “I AM wrong”, meaning I am corrupted, unredeemable, unlovable. Shame is the emotion that keeps many people trapped in bondage to many different kinds of sin. It makes one believe they can never be free, and that God could never love them, let alone anyone else. Ultimately, without the redeeming love of Jesus Christ that leads to Freedom, shame will destroy a person. It appears here that while Judas may have initially experienced guilt over his treachery…it was his shame identity that ultimately led him to his destruction. Given that he actually walked beside Jesus for three years, it is hard not to be saddened by his end here, because we know that in Christ, all are forgiven…for therefore is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
The worst night court in the history of man. These so-called men had already made up their minds. To bring Jesus to Pilate to be executed. More concerned about what Jewish people would think if they killed Jesus. So Jesus goes before Pilate. Pilate examines Jesus and knows he’s not guilty as a threat to Rome. But just like the Sanhedrin. Pilate is more concerned what Caesar is going to think if he doesn’t take care of a rebellion. Jesus says nothing and still exposes the evil heart of man. How many people saw through this at that time. How could you trust your religious leaders after this circus. Pawns in the plan of God. The lamb of God to take away the sins of the entire world. Judas was not so much a pawn. He made up his own mind to not believe. Interesting comments by Evan. Who knows what was going through Judas mind. Once he realized he had done wrong. He could have repented. As pastor said. Worldly sorrow leads to death. Godly sorrow. Repentance
Good comments from each of you. This section overlaps with the things that I commented on earlier in past sections. Both with Jesus before the high priest and other leaders. And about Judas not coming to know Christ. As Pastor said worldly sorrow and not Godly sorrow. He could have decided differently and came to Christ even after his betrayal of Jesus. He didn`t but instead hanged himself. But God did know his heart and that he would never repent and be saved. For God knows all. This was also prophesied not only of the 30 silver coins but also Judas hanging himself. It is a very sad ending for him for you would think that after he spent all that time with Jesus and hearing His teachings and all the healings, miracles, cast out demons, and power that was given them through Jesus to do the same things that he would had turned to Christ. The others did but he didn`t. The scripture says: cursed is anyone that is hanged on a tree. Deut. 21:23 and Gal. 3: 13. Well I guess it wasn`t exactly prophesied about Judas hanging himself but it does give strong warnings about hanging on a tree. That person would be cursed. Of course Jesus was cursed on a tree { the cross} for us that we would be saved. He took our place. God bless.
”But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”“
Mark 14:61-62 NKJV
The injustice is obvious and so should be the conviction in the hearts of the Sanhedrin that what they are doing is wrong. They knew what they did to bring together false witnesses and yet they continue to charge Jesus in spite of it. It is interesting that Jesus does not defend Himself against false accusation but declares straight forwardly what He is and what will happen to reveal who He is when asked a direct question. He just shows Himself to be more and more awesome in the way He conducts Himself. And the Jewish leaders hypocrisy just increases when they won’t mix the money they gave Judas with the temple money. They were the ones who orchestrated the payment. They were the problem, not the 30 pieces of silver…..
And Jesus answered, “Yes, I am the Son of God.” This statement is unequivocal.
A trial that began with a verdict rather than a crime. A group of men so filled with pride and fear, ready to kill an innocent man to protect their own hypocrisy.
When thinking of Judas and the choice to take his own life over his sorrow does feel less like repentance and more like an easy way out. Rather than really face what he had done and try to make it right, he just escaped the situation the fastest way he could. Most times the right way to repentance is not the easy way.