The Day Of Decision

Text:  Matthew 26:14-25, 27:3-5; Acts 1:15-20

I.              Introduction

Long, long ago, or so I've  been told,

Two saints, they met on the streets paved with gold.

"By the stars in your crown," said the one to the other,

"I see that on earth you, too, were a mother.

And by the blue tinted halo,  I see that you wear,

You, too, have known sorrow and deepest despair."

"Ah, yes," came the answer, "I once had a son.

A sweet little lad, full of laughter and fun."

"But, tell of your child!" 

"Oh, I knew I was blest,

The first moment I held Him, close to my breast;

And my heart almost burst with the joy of that day."

"Ah, yes," sighed the other, "I felt the same way."

The former continued, "The first steps he took--

So eager and breathless--the sweet startled look

Which came over his face--he trusted me so."

"Ah, yes," sighed the other, "how well do I know."

"But soon he had grown to a bright handsome boy,

So stalwart and kind, and it gave me such joy

To have him just walk down the street by my side."

"Ah, yes," sighed the other, "I felt the same pride."

"How often I shielded and spared him from pain,

And when He for others was so cruelly slain,

When they crucified Him and spat in His face,

I would have gladly taken His place!"

A moment of silence, "Oh, then you are she?

The Mother of Christ!" and she fell on one knee.

But the blessed one raised her and drew her so near

And kissed from the face of the woman, a tear.

"Please tell me the name of the son you loved so,

That I may share, your grief and your woe!"

She lifted her eyes, looking straight at the other,

"He was Judas Iscariot, and I am his Mother."

·         There is no name in history more stained with infamy than Judas Iscariot

II.            There Are People Who Believe Judas Had No Choice

·         They believe he was predetermined, fore-ordained and actually predestined by God to betray Christ

·         There are people who believe in predestination

·         However God was not responsible for what happened to Judas

·         God gives us free will, God never tells us what to do

·         If Judas would have asked for forgiveness, God would have done so

·         1 John 1:9

·         We betray Jesus everyday for far less than what Judas received

·         We all have choices

·         We will have to choose to follow Christ or not

·         Not making up your mind is the same as saying no to Christ

·         Judas chose the road of betrayal through his own free will

III.           Others Say Judas Simply Wanted To Hurry Christ Along

·         Judas was impatient and tried to force the issue and make Jesus establish His Kingdom now

·         Judas knew Jesus was important

·         Haven’t we been impatient  with God?

·         We want that raise…now!

·         We want our prayers answered…now!

·         Some people believe Judas was impatient

·         Waiting can be miserable

·         Judas wanted Jesus to take care of the poor…now

·         Judas felt Jesus could do something about them…now

·         Judas was Jesus to proclaim Himself as the Messiah…now

IV.          Some Say Judas Had A Political Agenda

·         John 12:3-5

·         Judas complained about the ointment

·         In today’s world, Judas might have been a social/political activist or perhaps a community planner

·         Judas was the treasurer of the apostles

·         Some believe he betrayed Christ for personal gain

·         He got far less than he imagined

V.           Whatever The Reason For Judas’ Betrayal Of Christ, There Was Still Room At The Foot Of The Cross For His Return

·         Doesn’t this still apply to you and me?

·         Judas could have been saved by his confession of sin

·         Forgiveness by Jesus is only a confession away

·         1 John 1:9

·         Judas did not have to hang himself

·         His death was sad and pointless

·         His sin could have been blotted out by the One he betrayed

·         The whole word is covered by God’s grace

·         Each of us is covered by God’s grace

·         That doesn’t mean everyone is saved

·         But we all still have a chance to be saved

·         No one is so deep in sin and wickedness that cannot feel the grace of God and the love of Christ

VI.          Conclusion

·         There’s still room at the cross for us