Monday after 2nd Last - A Devotion

Devotion for Monday after 2nd Last 

Jeremiah 31:1-17, 23-34       Matthew 27:1-10

Imagine this exchange between you and your pastor (it is taken from the lection from Matthew you read above):

3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You shall see to it yourself!”

Well thought out and planned was  your sin, conducted in greed and selfishness. Later however, seeing the consequences of your sin severely affecting the life of another, you go to your priest/pastor/father-confessor and proclaim, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood."

What is it that came to him for? In repentance, even returning the money by which you profited, you are coming to hear a word of forgiveness. Instead you hear, "What is that to us? You shall see to it yourself!"

Judas' priests could hardly listen to his confession and pronounce absolution, they would have been admitting their culpability and sinfulness in the crucifixion of Jesus. This they would not do.

As Jesus made His way to the cross to pay for the sins of all, including Judas' sin of betrayal against Him, these servants of God directed this penitent man to Himself. His own works could not save him, but Judas made the attempt. His delusion was that if he took his own life, it would be payment for the life he betrayed into death. It does not work that way - sinful life cannot atone for sinful life.

Christ alone makes full atonement, He is the payment in full that frees us from the consequences of our sinfulness.

Thankfully, when you come to your pastor in repentance, especially with penitence written in your willingness to return that profit from your sinful actions, your pastor will proclaim something different. It is your pastor will proclaim to you, "Do you believe that my forgiveness is God's forgiveness?" You will respond in the affirmative. And then, your pastor will proclaim that which is dearly coveted to your repentant ears, "In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ. I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

We praise our merciful God for His willingness to forgive sin and grant to us perfect remission and life. Amen.


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