“I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” (Matthew 27:4a NIV)
Judas had set events in motion far larger than himself. When he realized the final trajectory of his treasonous actions, he was “seized with remorse” (v. 3) and went to the Temple to confess his sins to the priests.
Let this not be lost on us: Judas utilized the Old Testament format for dealing with sin: the priests were the only people on earth empowered to offer sacrifice as atonement for sin. Judas was attempting to come clean and perhaps even make a guilt offering but the leadership was too far gone in their bloodlust for Jesus to even entertain his confession. Their response indicated their total abandonment of their spiritual post:
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” (Matthew 27:4b NIV)
The priests had lost sight of their divinely-appointed purpose. Their priority was to maintain relationship between God and His people. Yet in this moment, they were so consumed with their own agendas: protecting their position and eliminating a perceived threat to their power, that they lost sight of their purpose. It absolutely was their job to help people put their lives back together after they recognized their sin.
I’ve always wondered what would have happened if Judas had confessed to Jesus instead. If Judas had believed Jesus to be the Messiah, the new high priest and King, would he have received absolution? Would he have had the courage to keep living? Would he have remained a disciple in the Acts 2 church? What restoration story could have been told? I’m sure that Jesus would have still gone to the cross, but I don’t believe Judas had to go to the hanging tree.
We always have the option of taking our confession straight to Jesus. The human priest or pastor will continually be subject to their own fallen nature, but Jesus is without flaw and His atonement is enough to cover all our sin, no matter how heinous it is.
We look at the Judas narrative and realize it takes great courage to return to the Savior, but that is where the power is. Our freedom is found in Him alone. When we go to the wrong place with our guilt, we get the wrong message. When we go to the Source, we find life.
This text additionally serves as a stark reminder to those who serve in the house of God. Our highest priority is still connecting people to the Almighty. We live out this connection personally, first; through our words, actions and even motives. When we lose sight of this priority, we lose sight of the Kingdom and we go rogue in vain attempts at securing our own glory. This is a precarious position and certainly one the Lord will not tolerate long term. Ministers must remember their place as servants of the Most High, making Him known here on earth until He calls us Home.
“Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:23-25 NIV)
Lord, we are so grateful for Your priesthood. We are glad that we can come to You with our cares and concerns, but also our confessions. You are ever ready to hear our sins and even eager to receive us with grace. Give us the courage to come to You when we flail and fail. Meet our iniquities with Your mercy and set us back on a path of life. Amen.