Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it! ” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. Matthew 27:3-5
How heartbreaking it is to witness someone who has caused significant pain upon the innocent by their sin and even though they are remorseful, they can’t forgive themselves and even believe that no one else would. This leads to thoughts of suicide and maybe even going through with the act itself. How they need the grace of Christ but their own mounting pain and guilt can just be too much for them to see past their evil deed to a hope full of forgiveness and love.
Although Judas was remoresful, he couldn’t live with what he had done. He had betrayed the innocent and now Jesus was being condemned. The pain was too great and tragically suicide became his way out. How victorious his story could have been if he had only sought forgiveness from the Man he closely followed these past years; the Man he had betrayed would have forgiven him since His whole ministry was a demonstration of God’s undying love, mercy, and grace for the wretchedness of mankind’s sin. If Judas had only waited a few more days, he would have seen Jesus’ glorious resurrection and he could have come to Him in full repentence of the terrible thing he had done to receive full absolution. His broken and wounded heart could have been mended and healed. He would have been rescued from his desperate plea to be saved from his wickedness. What was left empty inside would have been filled and the guilt he deserved would have been pardoned. He would have been welcomed with open arms because this is what the blood of Jesus’ death was all about.
The words of the song below, “Just As I Am,” so beautifully portrays deliverance from even the most heinous of sins that can be found through the blood of Jesus. I pray these words touch your woeful heart especially if you are someone who has done something you feel is so wretched that suicide seems like your best choice. Your story of sin could go from tragedy to victory if only you will read and believe these words as you humbly come to Jesus with remorse just as you are.
(To hear this song on youtube click here)
Just As I Am
Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee
O Lamb of God, I come, I come
Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot
O Lamb of God, I come, I come
I come broken to be mended
I come wounded to be healed
I come desperate to be rescued
I come empty to be filled
I come guilty to be pardoned
By the blood of Christ the Lamb
And I’m welcomed with open arms
Praise God, just as I am
Just as I am, I would be lost
But mercy and grace my freedom bought
And now to glory in Your cross
Oh Lamb of God I come, I come
I come broken to be mended
I come wounded to be healed
I come desperate to be rescued
I come empty to be filled
I come guilty to be pardoned
By the blood of Christ the Lamb
And I’m welcomed with open arms
Praise God, just as I am
I come broken to be mended
I come wounded to be healed
I come desperate to be rescued
I come empty to be filled
I come guilty to be pardoned
By the blood of Christ the Lamb
And I’m welcomed with open arms
Praise God, just as I am
Praise God, just as I am
Just as I am
[Songwriters: Sue C. Smith / Travis Cottrell / David E. Moffitt
Just as I Am lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol Christian Music Group]
AMEN!!!
Truth in love,
Heather
Truth in Love 