relationships (Matthew 27:1-10) Combating Suicide with Certain Hope

(Matthew 27:1-10)

1 Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; 2 and they bound Him and led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.

3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You shall see to it yourself!” 5 And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and left; and he went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them in the temple treasury, since it is money paid for blood.” 7 And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. 8 For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the One whose price had been set by the sons of Israel; 10 and they gave them for the Potter’s Field, just as the Lord directed me.”

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

This is a very heavy topic, and I'm fairly certainly that most of us have struggled with some form of depression that came with suicidal thoughts.  Even as believers, this is very possible.  But there is hope.  Before we continue on with what God wants for our lives, lets look at what was going on with Judas Iscariot.  

We see here that Judas felt remorse, but he never repented of his sins.  Even the Pharisees didn't know the way to salvation, because all they knew was religion, which is made up of empty do's and don't, done in one's own strength and wisdom.  So, they told Judas to go, see to it for himself.  Judas had tried to undo his great sin by simply returning the money he received to betray Jesus.  That didn't work.  It never would have.  He still felt the weight of his guilt, which would have been very, very heavy.  Feeling like there wasn't any way to live with that, or deal with it, he hung himself.  He did to himself what he deserved.

We know Judas Iscariot never became a believer.  Remember, in God's love, God will never force anyone to love Him back, and will never force anyone to be obedient.  We see that Judas Iscariot made his own choice, even though he had so many opportunities.  This fact is covered in the following verse, where the disciples are asking the Lord who should be the one to replace Judas as a disciple (apostle).

(Acts 1:24-25)  And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all people, show which one of these two You have chosen 25 to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”

Once someone becomes a believer, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, so no matter what we do or don't do, we cannot lose our salvation.  Well, even though Jesus called Judas Iscariot to be a disciple, obviously, Judas rejected the Lord and His calling.  Judas is called the "son of destruction" (some versions use "perdition"), which means a physical, spiritual or eternal ruin or loss; with pernicious ways that lead to a perishing waste, death and damnation, which consists of eternal misery in hell.

(John 17:12)  While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name, which You have given Me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

Being omniscient, Jesus always knew all of this, and still allowed it to happen, because In His love, He has given everyone a free will.  As well, Jesus allowed it to happen, and used this action of evil intent, to bring about His will.  The Lord's plan was always to come to earth in flesh to accomplish His work on the cross, to die in our place, even for those who ultimately reject Him and His invitation to accept His free gift of salvation.  

Even though Judas Iscariot was a disciple, right there, working and living beside Jesus Christ Himself, he never realized the value of having a personal relationship with the Lord.  Judas was only ever going through the motions for those three years.  To us who know and love Jesus, this would seem so very strange, but throughout all the ages, there are those who see being a spiritual leader of some sort, as just some form of occupation.  In fact, some would see this as an "easy" occupation, especially if they have the power and position to take advantage of desperate people who are seeking answers for their lives.  Just tell them whatever they want to hear, and they will love you - the spiritual leader, that is.  

Psychologically, that is how it works.. Spiritually, this is NOT how it works.  Spiritual leaders of God's Church are to be actual believers, practicing what they preach, and humbly pointing others towards the Lord God!  We are sinners who deserve death and are destined to death, unless we humbly go to the Lord, repent of our sins and accept His free gift of forgiveness, eternal life and certain hope.

Never think that you are beyond saving!  Even Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus had not been beyond saving.  He just chose not to accept the Lord's calling and invitation.  Apostle Paul had also committed horrible acts of betrayal.  As a Pharisee, first known as Saul, he was on the war path to destroy God's Church, and have as many Christians killed as possible.  But, when Jesus met him on the road, and called him and invited him to receive His salvation, he accepted.  Paul was the one to replace Judas as the twelfth disciple (Apostle)!

Only Jesus can save us, because He with His own life - paid the ransom for our lives.  And in His grace, we cannot lose our salvation, even if we committed suicide.  But understand, He cares for us immensely, and wants the best for us.  God has a plan and a purpose for us and our life.  He desires to use us in mighty ways, in His will.  So when and as we work and live alongside Him, in His strength and wisdom, we will experience His certain hope, joy and peace.