Matthew 26:57-27:10

Is repentance ever too late?

When I read this passage again tonight, I found myself wondering how repentant Judas was when he went back to give the 30 pieces of silver back to the priests. He had second thoughts, maybe even third thoughts. He returned the money he received for betraying Jesus.

#1 What are your feelings of Judas? Do you feel pity? Do you think he was forgiven by god because he was repentent?

After Jesus prayed to have the cup taken from Him, He was taken away to face 6 trials. He had 3 religious trials: before Annas (), before Caiphas ( ), before Sanhedrin (). He also had 3 civil trials: before Pilate (), before Herod ( ), before Pilate again (). Can you imagine going through that many trials to clear your name? no, absolutely not, it would be unheard of.

The brief trial before Annas, who happened to be the former high priest, Caiaphas’s father in-law, was nothing more than a tactic to allow time to gather the Sanhedrin. Once Caiaphas was able to gather the Sanhedrin, they met for the trial on which they tried to find some ground to stand on. Well that failed miserably so they sent Him on to the next. The whole purpose of Jesus’ trials was to find some legal basis on which to condemn Him to death.

#2 Why do you think the Sanhedrin searched for witnesses?

Judas’s testimony would have been crucial to these judges however Judas was no where around. Many false witnesses were brought against Jesus, but none were fully able to help convict Jesus of wrong doing.

Did you know that under Jewish law night time trials were illegal? Well they were and the first of the 6 trials for Jesus was held at night. Any defence lawyer today would have had the trial deemed illegal in a heart beat. So we have Christ undergoing trials by night,

#3 How do you think handling your sin should occur? Why?