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As I look toward the celebration of Easter , I am again overwhelmed when I realize all that took place to give us the victory available to us today.
Matthew 27:1-10
When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 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. But the Chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “it is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” And they consulted together and bought with the silver the potter’s field to burry strangers in. Therefore that field has been called “the Field of Blood” to this day. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, and gave them for the potter’s field as the Lord directed me.”
Judas had already been identified as the one to betray Jesus as we see in Matthew 26:20-25. But in Chapter 27:3, we see that Judas is remorseful. The Amplified translation says he was afflicted in mind and troubled for his former folly. When he experienced this remorse, he brought back the thirty pieces of silver, saying I have sinned. How many times do we take that position? We become remorseful for our actions that are contrary to God, but we try to find resolution on our own.
Jesus died once for all; so that we could be free once for all.
Just like Judas, our attempt to refute what we’ve done is to no avail. The only way of atonement is through Jesus Christ. It is His blood that is shed for the remission for all our sins. Jesus died once for all; so that we could be free once for all. Hebrews 10:12-14 tells us, “But this Man, after He offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” Forever.
So, as we approach the remembrance of the resurrection of Christ, take the time to thank Him for what His crucifixion death, burial and resurrection means to you today. Share that good news with someone this week.
Let’s Pray
Father, we thank you for the gift and sacrifice of your precious son, Jesus. We are grateful that you willingly gave Him to die, so that we may have abundant life eternal. Forgive us when we forget the complete and total victory Christ paid for so that we can live free and help others to experience the Kingdom of God. We love You and grateful to be loved by you.
