26 August 2023 - True salvation is only obtained through Jesus

Matthew 27:1-4(MSG) In the first light of dawn, all the high priests and religious leaders met and put the finishing touches on their plot to kill Jesus. Then they tied him up and paraded him to Pilate, the governor. Judas, the one who betrayed him, realized that Jesus was doomed. Overcome with remorse, he gave back the thirty silver coins to the high priests, saying, “I’ve sinned. I’ve betrayed an innocent man.” They said, “What do we care? That’s your problem!”

Reading this passage, I noticed something that I hadn’t seen before. Judas showed all the elements needed to obtain forgiveness for his sins, but instead of turning to Jesus for forgiveness, he turned to the enemy.

The first step to forgiveness is to realise that we have done someone wrong. Judas realised that Jesus was doomed. He realised that he had made a mistake. He should never have handed Jesus over to the high priests and religious leaders.

Secondly, we must recognise that we have sinned. Judas did and that caused him to be overcome with regret, he gave back the money he took for his betrayal and admitted: ‘I’ve sinned. I’ve betrayed an innocent man.’

Thirdly, you must show remorse. Judas had remorse, that feeling of sadness and regret for something you had done.

So, if Judas showed all the elements needed to obtain forgiveness for his deed, what did he do wrong? Well, he never turned to Jesus. How foolish. Judas had first-hand experience of what Jesus had done; he saw all the miracles, heard the messages, and knew that Jesus was the only way. Not turning to Jesus resulted in death, not only his physical death but also an eternity without Jesus. What do we learn from this? Instead of turning to the enemy, he should have turned to Jesus.

Matthew 27:5(AMP) And throwing the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary, he left; and went away and hanged himself.

True salvation can only be obtained through Jesus. The Bible teaches that there is no other way to salvation than through Jesus Christ.

John 14:6(ESV) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 3:14-15(AMP) Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert , so must the Son of Man be lifted up , so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life .

John 10:7(ESV) So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

John 6:35(ESV) Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

John 11:25(AMP) Jesus said to her, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, relies on) Me will live even if he dies;

Eternal life in heaven is made possible only through Jesus.

John 17:3(NLT) And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.

I conclude with: “The truth is we don't know why Judas did what he did. The grand irony, of course, is that without , Jesus doesn't get handed over to the Romans and crucified. Without Judas, you don't have the central component of Christianity - you don't have the Resurrection.” - Cargill.