1/10 Matthew 27:3

³ Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders . . .

Judas was the only disciple who was not from Galilee. He was Jesus' treasurer even though he had a love of money (John 12:6). We can't say for certain what was in Judas's heart when he betrayed Jesus. The only thing we can clearly see is that he informed the enemies of Jesus as to where and when to capture Jesus. It was Passover season. The city of Jerusalem would have been extremely crowded. Judas had already negotiated a price for the betrayal. It was the same price a person would pay for a healthy slave (Exodus 21:32). It seems the Jewish leaders were shrewd negotiators, considering how little they paid as compared to how much they wanted Jesus dead.

Judas led the soldiers to Jesus and watched the arrest and conviction. Judas must have had some other outcome in mind, because when he saw Jesus was condemned, he brought back the money to the religious leaders who had paid for his information. He changed his mind. He knew giving back the money would not change the outcome, but he could not live with himself knowing the money was earned by betraying the man who had trusted him for the last three years. Judas hung himself.

There are momentous decision points that turn our lives in one direction or another. If we listen to our fallen natures and make selfish decisions, the outcome can be irreversible. Had Judas not taken his life, even he may have found forgiveness through repentance (Romans 10:13). He thought he could not live with his disgust with himself. However, that self-loathing is what drives us to God to find new life in Him. If you have made a decision from your carnal nature, you may be dealing with the long-term consequences, but you can find the forgiveness and new life you seek at the foot of the cross.

Consider: Jesus came to save sinners. The more we realize the depravity of our own sins, the greater our repentance and appreciation of Jesus' sacrifice for us.