Judas Changed His Mind

Judas Changed His Mind 

It was clear that what had been set in motion was not going to change. The verdict of condemnation was delivered and Judas realized that nothing was going to change the events of that day. His motives for betrayal amounted only to thirty pieces of silver; the price of a slave. Seeing that Jesus was condemned the apostle brings back the blood money to the chief priests and elders and acknowledges he sinned “by betraying innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). His plea for intervention was unheard and throwing the money on the floor of the temple Iscariot went and hanged himself.

The text says that Judas was “remorseful” or “repented himself.” He realized too late that his betrayal brought his friend and rabbi to the blood thirsty hearts of the enemies of the Christ. In redemptive irony he brings the price of a slave to the temple of the Lord and throws it at the feet of the hypocritical leaders of God’s people who had long ago concerned itself more with paying “tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and … neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith” (Matthew 23:23).

Judas changed his mind but it was too late. There was nothing he could do. The money meant nothing to him now and the consequence of a ‘moment’s reckless folly’ brought the Christ, the Son of God to the courts of men to die on a cross. He had changed his mind but God had not changed His mind. Judas was a good man. He served in the inner circle of the Lord preaching, healing, performing miracles and hearing the teachings of Jesus first hand. His deep remorse shows how much he loved the Lord and because of allowing Satan to storm the bastion of his heart and opening the door he went and hung himself in despair. His mind was changed but his actions could not be taken back.

It is impossible to know what would have happened if Judas had not hung himself. Clearly the end result was suicide and a name held through history as the one who betrayed the Lord. Peter betrayed the Lord but recovered to preach with the eleven on the Day of Pentecost the redemption of man through the blood of Christ. But in the story of Judas changing his mind could not turn back the hands of time.

In contrast, the parable of the two sons in Matthew 21:28-32 shows what man can do when given the opportunity. "A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went” (Matthew 21:28-29). The second son told his father he would go but then decided not to go. The application Jesus makes is to show how the first son did the right thing by changing his mind from rebellion to obedience. Sometimes a change of mind brings a blessing. In the case of Judas his mind changed but the circumstance did not change.

Every decision we make has consequence. If we do nothing there is consequence. The challenge is to make certain the choices we make will not create events that are unchangeable. The sacrifice of Jesus is given to all men to obey the will of the Father but the decision to reject that invitation can have eternal consequences that will never be changed. Be like the son of Matthew 21 and change your mind to do the will of what God expects of you. Make that choice now before it is too late.