March 12: A Somber Warning: The Forgiveness of God and the Remorse of Judas
♫ Music:
Day 8 - Wednesday, March 12
Title: A Somber Warning: The Forgiveness of God and the Remorse of Judas
Scripture #1: Matthew 27:3–5 (NKJV)
Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Scripture #2: John 17:12 (NKJV)
“Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”
Scripture #3: 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 (NKJV)
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped.
Poetry & Poet:
“Remorse”
by Robert Burns
Of all the numerous ills that hurt our peace;
That press the soul, or wring the mind with anguish;
Beyond comparison the worst are those
That to our Folly, or our Guilt we owe.
In ev'ry other circumstance, the mind
Has this to say, It was no deed of mine:
But, when to all the evil of misfortune
This sting is added, blame thy foolish self;
Or worser far, the pangs of keen remorse:
The tort'ring, gnawing consciousness of guilt
Of guilt, perhaps, where we've involved others;
The young, the innocent, who fondly lov'd us:
Nay more, that very love their cause of ruin
O! burning Hell! in all thy store of torments
There's not a keener LASH
Lives there a man so firm who, while his heart
Feels all the bitter horrors of his crime,
Can reason down its agonizing throbs,
And, after proper purpose of amendment,
Can firmly force his jarring thoughts to peace?
O happy, happy, enviable man!
O glorious magnanimity of soul!
A SOMBER WARNING: THE FORGIVENESS OF GOD AND THE REMORSE OF JUDAS
Some biblical passages are bright and encouraging. Others, like Matthew 27:3-5, are dark and sobering—as portrayed so poignantly in today’s art, music, and poetry.
The Bible is uncomfortably realistic. It reveals a God who is not ignorant of our darkness, nor uncaring about our struggles. Indeed, He has Himself entered the darkest places of broken humanity in Jesus, “breaking” the brokenness of sin once for all. God knows. God cares.
I and some of my closest loved ones have experienced dark seasons of physical suffering. But I agree with poet Robert Burns: “Beyond comparison the worst [ills] are those/That to our Folly, or our Guilt we owe.” My darkest days have certainly been my own Judas-like experiences—grieving over my acts of betrayal, suffering “the pangs of keen remorse,” and the “gnawing consciousness of guilt.”
Despair.
Years ago, during such a time, a Scripture passage became my lifeline: “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD” (Psalms 27:13-14, NASB).
What I needed in my despair was hope: hope of forgiveness and restoration; hope that the future can ultimately be something good; hope that what I’m experiencing now is not the end, the last word. Hope that goodness—life—is possible. What we need in deep brokenness is real hope, not merely positive thinking or a denial of reality, but hope grounded in reality. The author of Hebrews calls such hope an “anchor for the soul” (6:19).
In my despair I planted my anchor of hope in the promise that I would indeed, some day, “see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” In Jesus I could grasp even more clearly than David as he wrote these words, that God is indeed good. He cares, He loves, He heals, He reconciles. He’s the father of the betraying prodigal son, out looking for his son to return, running to meet him, throwing his arms around him, and welcoming him home (Luke 15:11-32). God indeed satisfies the longing soul with goodness (Psalm 107:9).
When Judas realized the enormity of what he had done, he despaired. Peter, whose betrayal of Jesus is recorded later in the same chapter, did so as well. Both regretted what they had done, wishing it hadn’t happened. Both experienced remorse, grieving at having done wrong. Judas took a first step toward undoing what he’d done by returning the blood money. But only Peter truly repented—returning to Jesus, admitting his sin, asking forgiveness, turning from his sin—and was forgiven and restored.
Judas didn’t; he desperately followed his path to ruin to the very end—a tragic choice that God allows a finally unrepentant heart. (“Son of perdition” is a semitic expression for one who is fully and finally ruined.)
Why didn’t Judas repent? Why did he continue to choose alienation from Jesus, refusing the only source of life and mercy? There are deep mysteries here, of course. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). But we see suggestions in the gospel accounts that Judas, unlike Peter, never fully embraced Jesus. Many believe he was a disillusioned Zealot who hoped Jesus would overthrow the Roman occupation, and when it became clear this hope was misplaced, Judas turned away.
Misplaced hope, based on a misunderstanding of God, cannot help us in our despair. But hope in the goodness of God is a true anchor of the soul. Dark and sobering passages like this can uniquely reveal the light of God’s character. Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection settle the question.
Because of Jesus, the last word for any of us, however broken, need not be despair. Jesus offers life to all who return to Him and trust His forgiveness—true hope. Thanks be to God!
Prayer:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
(Romans 15:13)
Dr. David Horner
Professor of Theology and Philosophy
Division of Biblical and Theological Studies
Talbot School of Theology
Biola University
For more information about the artwork, music, and poetry selected for this day, we have provided resources under the “About” tab located next to the “Devotional” tab.
About the Art #1:
The Remorse of Judas
José Ferraz de Almeida Júnior
1880
Oil on canvas
209 x 163.3 cm
Museu Nacional de Belas Artes
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
About the Artist #1:
José Ferraz de Almeida Júnior (1850–1899), commonly known as Almeida Júnior, was a Brazilian artist and designer. After graduating from the Academia Imperial de Belas Artes, he returned to his hometown, Itu, and set up his art studio there. During a tour of the São Paulo region in 1876, Emperor Pedro II saw Júnior's work and offered Júnior his financial support to study in Paris. After his studies, Júnior opened a studio in São Paulo and taught art privately. He also held exclusive art exhibitions and fulfilled commissions for portraits of notable people ranging from coffee barons to Republican politicians.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Ferraz_de_Almeida_J%C3%BAnior
https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/life-art-almeida-junior/
About the Art #2:
Judas Returns the Money (Judas rend l'argent)
From the series The Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ (La Vie de Notre-Seigneur Jésus-Christ)
James Tissot
1886–1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
30 x 19.7 cm
Brooklyn Museum
Brooklyn, New York
Public Domain
Overridden with guilt after betraying Jesus, Judas Iscariot was remorseful but not repentant of his actions that ultimately led to the death of Christ. Though he tried to undo what he had done by returning the thirty silver coins to the chief priests for betraying Jesus, Judas’ actions, motivation, and lack of true repentance led him to committ suicide.
About the Artist #2:
James Tissot (1836–1902) was a French painter and illustrator. He was a successful painter of fashionable, modern scenes and society life in Paris before moving to London in 1871. A friend and mentor of the impressionist painter Edgar Degas, Tissot also painted scenes and figures from the Bible. In 1885, Tissot had a revival of his Catholic faith, which led him to spend the rest of his life making paintings about biblical events. Moving away from impressionism and postimpressionism, Tissot returned to traditional, representational styles and narratives in his watercolors. To assist in his completion of biblical illustrations, Tissot traveled to the Middle East to make studies of the landscape and people. His series of 365 gouache illustrations showing the life of Christ were shown to critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences in Paris, London, and New York, before being bought by the Brooklyn Museum in 1900. Tissot spent the last years of his life working on paintings of subjects from the Old Testament, which he unfortunately never completed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Tissot
https://www.artbible.info/art/biography/james-tissot
https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/james_tissot
About the Music: “The Apostles, Op. 49, Part II. The Betrayal: Whither Shall I Go from Thy Spirit? (Judas)” from the album Elgar: The Apostles
Lyrics:
The Singers:
He that planted the ear, shall He not hear?
He that formed the eye, shall He not see?
(Ps. 94:3,7,9)
Judas:
Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?
If I say, Peradventure the darkness shall cover me, then shall my night be turned to day;
yea, the darkness is no darkness with Thee, but the night is as clear as the day.
(Ps 139:7,11,12)
Sheol is naked before Thee, and Abaddon hath no covering.
[Within the temple]
The Singers:
Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, that Thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity ... (Ps. 94:13)
Judas:
'Rest from the days of adversity.' Never man spake like this Man;
(John 7:46)
He satisfied the longing soul, and filled the hungry soul with goodness.
(Ps. 107:9)
The Singers:
... until the pit be digged for the wicked.
(Ps. 94:13)
Judas:
Our life is short and tedious,
and in the death of a man there is no remedy;
neither was there any man known to have returned from the grave.
For we are born at all adventure,
and we shall be hereafter as though we had never been;
for the breath in our nostrils is as smoke,
and a little spark in the moving of our heart,
which being extinguished, our body shall be turned into ashes
and our spirit shall vanish as the soft air
and our name shall be forgotten in time,
and no man have our work in remembrance;
and our life shall pass away as the trace of a cloud,
and shall be dispersed as a mist,
that is driven away with the beams of the sun,
and overcome with the heat thereof.
(Wisdom of Solomon 2:1-4)
The Singers:
The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they all are vanity. (Ps. 94:11)
Judas:
The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man.'
My hope is like dust that is blown away with the wind;
it is not possible to escape Thine hand -
a sudden fear, and not looked for, comes upon me.
[Remote]
The People :
Crucify Him! (Mark 15:13)
Judas:
They gather themselves together and condemn the innocent blood. (Ps. 94:21)
The People:
Crucify Him!
Judas:
Mine end is come - the measure of my covetousness; (Jer. 51:13)
over me is spread an heavy night,
an image of that darkness which shall afterward receive me:
yet am I unto myself more grievous than the darkness.
The Singers (within the Temple):
He shall bring upon them their own iniquity. (Ps. 94:23)
About the Composer:
Sir Edward William Elgar (1857–1934) was an English composer, many of whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, concertos for violin and cello, and two symphonies. He also composed choral works, chamber music, and songs.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Elgar
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edward-Elgar
https://www.buckschoral.org/edward-elgar-the-apostles-8
About the Performers: The London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus with Richard Hickox (conductor), and Robert Lloyd (vocalist)
The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), founded in 1904, is the oldest of London’s symphony orchestras. As a self-governing body, the orchestra selects the conductors with whom it works. At some stages in its history, it has dispensed with a principal conductor and worked only with guest conductors, including Pierre Monteux, André Previn, Claudio Abbado, Sir Colin Davis, and Valery Gergiev. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in the Barbican Centre in London. The LSO claims to be the world’s most recorded orchestra—it has made gramophone recordings since 1912 and has played on more than two hundred soundtrack recordings for the cinema. It is probably best-known for recording composer John Williams’ score for the Star Wars movies. The LSO has also recorded other Williams film scores, including those for Superman, Harry Potter, and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
https://lso.co.uk/
The London Symphony Chorus is a world-class symphony chorus, based in the city of London, where they have been inspiring audiences since their formation in 1966. Originally created to complement the work of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), today their vibrant chorus is made up of one hundred sixty amateur choral singers that partner with the very best conductors, orchestras, and soloists across the globe. They regularly perform with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican Centre, as well as at the BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall.
https://lsc.org.uk/about-us/
Richard Hickox (1948–2008) was an English conductor. Hickox’s many accomplishments spoke to the breadth of his prodigious musical knowledge and ability. His conducting debut came in 1971 at St. John’s Smith Square; then he went on to found a number of his own ensembles, including the Richard Hickox Singers and the City of London Sinfonia. He was named conductor emeritus of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and was included on the Queen’s Jubilee Honor list.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Hickox
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/nov/25/obituary-richard-hickox
Robert Andrew Lloyd, CBE (b. 1940), is an English operatic bass. Lloyd was educated at Keble College, Oxford, and studied in London. He made his debut with University College Opera in 1969 as Don Fernando in Leonore. He has made one hundred ninety-five appearances with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City during the period 1988–2008. He has sung leading roles and has appeared in most of the major opera houses throughout the world. He sings roles in British, German, Italian, French, and Russian works. He also sings sacred music and was recorded as bass soloist in the Mozart Requiem.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Lloyd_(bass)
About the Poetry and Poet:
Robert Burns (1759–1796) was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and a pioneer of the Romantic movement. After his death he became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism, and a cultural icon in Scotland. As well as making original compositions, Burns also collected folk songs from across Scotland, often revising or adapting them. His poem (and song) "Auld Lang Syne" is often sung on New Year’s Eve and "Scots Wha Hae" served for a long time as an unofficial national anthem of the country. Other poems and songs of Burns that remain well known across the world today include "A Red, Red Rose," "The Battle of Sherramuir,” "Tam o' Shanter," and "Ae Fond Kiss.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Burns
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/robert-burns
About the Devotion Writer:
Dr. David Horner
Professor of Theology and Philosophy
Division of Biblical and Theological Studies
Talbot School of Theology
Biola University
David Horner is a professor of theology and philosophy at Biola University and president of the Illuminatio Project, an effort to bring a classical biblical vision of goodness, truth, and beauty into the thinking of the church and culture through strategic research and communication. Prior to teaching, Dr. Horner worked as a laborer in an iron foundry, as an underground missionary in communist Eastern Europe, and as a pastor. He is an avid guitarist, hiker, and fly fisherman. Dr. Horner and his wife, Deborah, have two grown daughters and five grandchildren, and live in Fullerton, California.