The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 27:1-5, “Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death;

2 and they bound Him, and led Him away, and delivered Him up to Pilate the governor.

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? See to that yourself!’

5 And he threw the pieces of silver into the sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.”

Today’s news says, “John Coughlin, 33, a former world champion pairs skater took his own life. No explanation was given as to why he would have done so.

Back in 1937, the Russian-born movie actor, George Sanders, said, that he intended to commit suicide when he got older. In 1972, he died by his own hand, leaving a note that said: “Dear World, I am leaving because I am bored. I feel I have lived long enough. I am leaving you with your worries in this sweet cesspool. Good luck.”

Scientists of various disciplines have long sought the answer to why anyone would take his own life. Yet, with Judas Iscariot there is an easier answer. Judas had long planned to betray Jesus. He knew the Jewish authorities wanted Jesus out of the way, and he saw himself as one who could accommodate them. Thus, he sold Jesus into their hands for 30 pieces of silver. But when he came to an understanding of what he had done, he became remorseful. He returned the money to the Jewish authorities, but they mocked him. No doubt, their mockery gave him some insight as to how serious his deed truly was.

Why do we engage in even thinking about doing evil? Yet, once those evil thoughts have produced an act, we immediately regret what we have done. Either we do not think how seriously sin is, or we purposely ignore it, so that we might convince ourselves that our intentions are not wrong.

Note that they bound Jesus and led Him to Pilate, insisting that He be crucified. Judas evil intention against himself is now crystalized! His only way out of his dilemma was to erase himself from life. Could Judas not have been forgiven, had he pled his case before Jesus? Why could the Jewish authorities themselves not just have slain Him? But, no, he had been deceived and the embarassment was too great for Judas to bear alone.

I am convinced that had Judas Iscariot (or any other person) come to Jesus for forgiveness, it would have been granted. Did not one of the thieves on the Cross ask and receive forgiveness? There is always a way out, if we trust Christ to provide it. No sin is so grevous that the embarassment of it cannot be expunged. Christ is the answer! No one can forgive himself unless and until he has received forgiveness from God.

Take the matter – any matter—to the LORD and ask forgiveness. He will restore you as He forgives you. Don’t be yu own worst enemy! Try Jesus for forgiveness and see for yourself what He can and will do for you!

Praying for you always,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”