June 19

Matthew 27:3
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.

Isn't this what happens to us? We are seized with remorse when we betray Christ. Maybe you think that you have never betrayed Him - think again - we all have! None of us are guiltless, we all have betrayed the Lord one way or another. I think Judas has the proper response - remorse and getting rid of what he gained from the betrayal.

While it is true that none of us have handed Jesus over to be crucified, it is also true that we have to deal with our sin. It worries me when I am not remorseful. Something is wrong when Judas reacts with more godliness than us when we realize we have done wrong. There is, within us all, the Spirit of God who will bring us to the place of remorse, release and restoration. Judas had no release and no restoration. He died in remorse! Thank God for the Spirit of God in us! Even though we have the promise of release and restoration, we only get there by remorse. We don't have to act remorseful we have to BE remorseful, which should come natural when we offend God.

May we allow the Spirit of God to move in us so that we will be released and restored when we need it.