Matthew 27:1-26
And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. (v. 5) Through all our reflections and discussions on Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, today’s reading (to me) clarifies Judas’ actions. It looks like Judas was simply a mercenary looking for an opportunity to earn some cash by turning Jesus over, but that he did not anticipate that the Jewish elders would have Jesus killed. Jesus had escaped previous challenges, maybe Judas thought that He would be questioned and challenged and maybe scourged, but then released. When he saw that the Jewish leaders meant to kill Jesus he regretted turning Him over. I see remorse and repentance in Judas’ actions, but then he took another wrong turn taking his life into his own hands. He had not remembered or internalized Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, …for this is my blood of the (new) covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:28)
I wince at the thought of Jesus being scourged. How can men do something like that to another man?
See also: November 22 / Matt. 27:1-14; November 24 / Matt. 27:15-26