I’d like to talk about two things regarding this chapter. One is about repentance. The other is about the two groups of people.

In the beginning of the chapter, it speaks about what Judas did after Christ was arrested.

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, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You shall see to it yourself!” And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and left; and he went away and hanged himself. The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them in the temple treasury, since it is money paid for blood.” And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the One whose price had been set by the sons of Israel; and they gave them for the Potter’s Field, just as the Lord directed me.” (v.3-10)

Here, it may appear Judas realized his sin and repented. But his confession of the sin was not accepted by God. It is because he was not one of God’s sheep from the beginning.

Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot; for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him. (John 6:70-71)

We do not know the psychology behind Judas’ actions. All we know is that Judas went to the chief priests to hand in Christ to them. Although Christ warned that the priests would put Him to death, Judas followed them.

From that time Jesus began to point out to His disciples that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem and to suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and to be killed, and to be raised up on the third day. (Matthew 16:21)

This tells a lot to us. Many Christians follow false teachers who often have a lot of wealth and reputation in churches and in the world. They put trust in them, but what they are actually following is prosperity in the world. God sees everyone’s heart. The heart is what matters. It is the Holy Spirit that produces good fruit because God gives the heart of flesh through the Spirit.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26)

The Holy Spirit teaches us what is true or untrue. Sometimes pride blinds our eyes, and we commit grievous sins like King David. Yet, David’s sin was forgiven.

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has allowed your sin to pass; you shall not die. (2 Samuel 12:13)

Even though David did not ask God to forgive him, God forgave him. What are the differences between David and Judas? From the world’s point of view, they are the same sinful humans. But God judges them not as the world judges, but He sees the heart of a man. God knows whom He has chosen.

This separation was mentioned from the beginning in Genesis where it mentions Abel and Cain.

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. (Hebrews 11:4)

And this separation is clearly seen in Matthew 27:38.

At that time two rebels were being crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. (Matt 27:38)

All four books – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – mention of these two men because they are linked to the blessings and the curses written in the Deuteronomy 11:29.

And it shall come about, when the LORD your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, that you shall place the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal (Deut 11:29)

Earlier, I mentioned that the name Jesus was from the name Joshua. In Joshua 8:30-35, Joshua stands before the two groups of people.

Then Joshua built an altar to the LORD, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal, just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones on which no one had wielded an iron tool; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings. And he wrote there on the stones a copy of the Law of Moses, which he had written, in the presence of the sons of Israel. And all Israel with their elders, officers, and their judges were standing on both sides of the ark before the Levitical priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, the stranger as well as the native. Half of them stood in front of Mount Gerizim, and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded at first to bless the people of Israel. Then afterward he read all the words of the Law, the blessing and the curse, according to everything that is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel with the women, the little ones, and the strangers who were living among them. (Josh 8:30-35)

Many Christian theologians and ministers interpret this from a federal point of view. But as I repeatedly mentioned, the true meaning of the Law is love (agape) for God and for His people. Many can endeavour to achieve this but we cannot love without the Holy Spirit. The Pharisees and the Scribes who appeared to keep the Law perfectly on the outside were considered as sons of the devil by Christ. It is because God sees the heart, and the heart is where the actions come from. The Bible does not say that people were divided into groups by their deeds or ancestors. They were randomly divided. Likewise, the disciples did not talk about the backgrounds of these two rebels. They are both rebels. But one is forgiven, the other not forgiven. Therefore, saints do not boast of ourselves or our works.

Regarding this, Paul says that we as clay do not have the right to talk back to the potter in Romans 9.

Or does the potter not have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one object for honorable use, and another for common use? (Romans 9:21)

It is by God’s good will; He saves some and condemns the rest. Earlier, I mentioned this is how God trains His people on the earth to make the Kingdom. Saints are persecuted by the other group of people for telling the truths of God.

Even if I am not chosen to be saved, it does not change the truth that God is just, merciful, and faithful. God’s righteousness is absolute and unchangeable. It is the evil people who judge God according to His Law and condemns Him as if His righteousness depends on works.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. (Revelation 19:11)

And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give water to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life, without cost. The one who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:5-8)