Jesus Christ walked in His ministry for three years, beginning at the age of 30, but He was born to die for the sins of this world, which He did at the age of 33. Let’s fast forward to the time when Jesus is now on trial. Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome. Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” I am just going to go ahead and believe that the system of church is being destroyed and the body of Christ is being rebuilt and reestablished in new life! The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” (Matthew 26:59-64) This renting of his garment represented his priesthood being passed down to another, which would be Christ Jesus! They answered, “He deserves death!” Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them. And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” A little later, another saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:69-75). He was remorseful, as he had forgotten that he even said to Jesus, “I will go with you to death and prison.” But when that rooster crowed, the eyes of a flame of fire melted Peter’s heart, but since Christ had already interceded for him, he would be converted back, his faith would be restored, and he would be the ultimate soul winner for Jesus Christ!

Both Peter and Judas sinned significantly at this time, but one chose to repent, while the other could not forgive himself. *You must know which side of the cross that you are on. Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor. Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver ($19.20), which is the price of a slave, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” Is it possible that Judas betrayed Jesus because he thought Jesus would overpower them an escape? But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.” And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 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; And they gave them for the Potter’s Field, as the Lord directed me.” Acts 1:18 said, “Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.” Judas could not forgive himself of sins, and the only way, he felt, out of his circumstance was suicide, even though Jesus was dying for the very sins he committed. Sometimes the struggle is not whether or not God would forgive us, but if we will forgive ourselves! We have to see ourselves through God’s eyes of grace and mercy and walk in the fullness of who we are in Him! Do not gamble your ministry and salvation for 30 pieces of silver! It’s not worth it! It’s better to completely surrender to Jesus!
Without Judas’ betrayal, there would have never been a resurrection! We all may face moments of betrayal, but they are simply set up for a spiritual resurrection, a new beginning! It’s hard to be thankful during these moments, but they will make you stronger and appreciate the people surrounding you who have been faithful and true friends!