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Matthew 27:1-26 ESV

When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor. 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, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.” Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

I. REGRET OF JUDAS
A. Judas felt regret but never repented of what he had done.
B. God would have forgiven Judas. He forgave others who killed Jesus. (Acts2:37-38)

II. REGRET VS REPENTANCE
A. Repentance is more than changing what we believe. It includes putting our belief into action.
B. A belief in Jesus not attached to some action to validate it is a delusion not a belief.
C. Our belief in Jesus should have a story attached to it of walking with Jesus.
D. Judas demonstrates regret and not repentance by committing suicide instead of turning to Jesus.

III. CONDEMNATION VS CONVICTION
A. Condemnation is from within us. Conviction is the work of God and not mankind. (John 16:7-15, Romans 2:12-16)
B. Condemnation keeps the focus on us while conviction forces our eyes to Jesus.
C. Condemnation leads to despair while conviction leads to dependence.

IV. SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN BLOOD MONEY
A. Nobody wanted blood money & God used it to provide a cemetery for the unclean.
B. The leader’s action was fulfillment of prophecy, only strengthening the case that Jesus was indeed God the Son.

V. POLITICS VS PLAN OF GOD
A. Pilate knows Jesus is innocent but to keep Jewish leaders happy he let’s the crowd decide what to do with Jesus.
B. It backfires. More going on than human maneuvering could fix.
C. Pilate washes his hands of Jesus’ murder but is just as complicit as Jews

APPLICATION
1. We all try and deal with our sin ourselves like Judas or we run to Jesus like Peter.
2. Wherever you are you have not gone so far that God’s long arm of salvation cannot save you. (Isaiah 59:1)