Matthew 27:1-10  Judas.... the disciple.. the brother..  the betrayer.  Judas "saw that He had been condemned.. felt remorse.. "  The Word tells us that Judas returned the 30 pieces of silver.. confessed his sin for "betraying innocent blood" and "went away and hanged himself." 

This is such a sad passage.  Judas wanted to undo what he had done.. but could not.  He tried to pay for his own sins.. but could not.  He did not turn back to Jesus.  He did not cry out to the Lord. He knew his own guilt and took his own life.  This fulfilled prophecy.. but it produced great sorrow.  

We do not know why Judas did what he did. We do not know what he had hoped would happen.. Was he trying to force Jesus to declare His Kingship?  Was he just unhappy and discontent with the way things were happening?  What is so sad is that this man had every opportunity to live.. to repent.. to believe.. but he turned away from it all. 

We might know people like that in our lives.  People who know the gospel.. that may have even walked with Jesus at one time..but who are unhappy.. discontent.. impatient.. and unwilling to believe.   We are all in danger of straying off the narrow way.. of losing hope.. of giving up.  But.. Jesus tells us to persevere.. to endure.. to hold on..  the day is coming when all of the Words of prophecy will be fulfilled.. and Jesus will come to take us home.. so let's hold on!

Father, You are the God who gives perseverance and encouragement... grant us a pure heart that will cling to Jesus no matter what we are facing. Draw us near to Your heart and fill us with hope and faith and love as we await that wonderful day when we will be forever in Your Presence. Come Lord Jesus! Amen.