196. MAT 27:3-5. HISTORY OF JUDAS
Mat_27:3-5. History Of Judas
"Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the Chief Priests," &c.’97Mat_27:3-5.
The honesty and scrupulous fidelity of the sacred writers. They relate the whole truth, both as it respects friends and foes; describe the weaknesses of Christ’s disciples’97backsliding of Peter’97perfidy of Judas, &c.
Let us consider,
I. His Character.
And observe, that he was,
1. A follower of Christ.
One who had owned and professed Christ before the world. It is probable that for some time he was externally at least a consistent servant of Christ. He was,
2. An apostle.
One of the twelve. Filled one of the highest offices in Christ’s church; Mat_10:8. No doubt he had every requisite qualification, both as regards knowledge, authority, and miraculous influence. Yet he was,
3. A hypocrite.
He was a selfish, hollow-hearted character. Gain only, with him, was godliness. His heart was full of lies and deceit. See Joh_6:66-70; Joh_12:3.
Notice,
II. His Crime.
He betrayed and sold his Lord and Master for thirty pieces of silver. This was the climax in his career of iniquity. It was a crime,
1. Of the greatest perfidy Did not desert Christ. Did not become an open foe. But he retained his profession, his name, his office, and apparent friendship; he ate, and drank, and walked, and conversed, and worshipped with Christ; and yet, with these marks of attachment, he basely covenanted for his life It was a crime,
2. Of the most aggravated wickedness.
This will appear if you consider,
(1) Who it was that he betrayed. It was a friend’97a holy, spotless Person’97the world’s Philanthropist’97man’s Redeemer’97the joy of heaven’97and the delight of God.
(2) For what did he betray him? For sordid gain’97for thirty pieces of silver, (‘a33 15s.) The price of a slave.
(3) In what way did he betray him? Deliberately made the bargain; coolly executed it; and that with the sacred symbol of love and fidelity’97a kiss. Notice.
III. His Repentance.
It is said, "He repented himself." And here we may observe,
1. The time.
"When he saw he was condemned." When he beheld the result of his perfidy. He was not so much anxious for Christ’s death as to obtain the accursed pieces of money. It was characterized,
2. By sincere sorrow and bitter regret.
He came to the priests with much deep feeling and emotion; his whole soul was evidently affected.
3. He testified to Christ’s innocency and his own guilt.
"I have sinned, in that I have betrayed innocent blood."
4. He relinquished his ungodly wages.
"He threw down his money" &c. It had been earned too dearly; it was drinking up all his spirit’s happiness; and he cast it entirely away from him. All these things were well; but his repentance was that of remorse, of despair, and of death He prayed not’97he sought not Christ’s mercy’97made no appeal to God, and exercised neither faith nor hope in him.
Hence, notice,
IV. His End.
His career terminated under the most appalling circumstances.
1. It was self-procured.
Having sold his Saviour, he murdered himself. Went out to some elevated place and hanged himself; when, most likely the instrument of suspension breaking, he fell down, and his bowels gushed out. His end,
2. Was hopeless.
He went to his own place. Not that his sin was unpardonable in itself; but instead of fleeing to the only Refuge and the only Deliverer, his remorse was so truly horrific and insupportable, that despairing of mercy he rushed into the presence of the Judge of all, we fear, with all his guilt unpardoned, and on his head. His end,
3. Was admonitory.
Being dead (and we fear lost) he speaketh, and says to all men: Beware of hypocrisy; beware of the deceitfulness and hardening influence of sin; beware of covetousness; beware of despondency. "Let me die the death of the righteous," &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS