As Palm Sunday, Holy Week and the celebration of Easter approach, walk with me please through the records of those last hours of the earthly life of Jesus Christ. What does God want you to know? What were those last hours like for Jesus Christ?

In this session we examine the death of Judas

Matthew’s account recorded in chapter 27:

³ Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

⁴ Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

⁵ And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

⁶ And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

⁷ And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.

⁸ Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

⁹ Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

¹⁰ And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.

Questions for Reflection

1) When Judas was sorry for his actions, why did he not tell God and ask God for forgiveness?

2) Are there times when you tell someone other than God that you are sorry? Why?

Which facts seem most significant to you? Why?

Why do you think the chief priests were more concerned about what they did lawfully with the money than what they did with Jesus Christ?

 Are there things you value more than Jesus Christ?

Do you see something you didn’t see before?

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti