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The Story of Redemption
the blind, unstopping the deaf ears, rebuking and casting out devils,
raising the dead to life, and even calming the wind and the sea.
They could not believe that He would die. They hoped that He
would yet rise in power, and with His commanding voice disperse
that bloodthirsty multitude, as when He entered the temple and drove
out those who were making the house of God a place of merchandise,
when they fled before Him as if pursued by a company of armed
soldiers. The disciples hoped that Jesus would manifest His power
and convince all that He was the King of Israel.
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Judas’ Confession
Judas was filled with bitter remorse and shame at his treacherous
act in betraying Jesus. And when he witnessed the abuse which
the Saviour endured, he was overcome. He had loved Jesus, but
had loved money more. He had not thought that Jesus would suffer
Himself to be taken by the mob which he led on. He had expected
Him to work a miracle and deliver Himself from them. But when
he saw the infuriated multitude in the judgment hall, thirsting for
blood, he deeply felt his guilt; and while many were vehemently
accusing Jesus, Judas rushed through the multitude, confessing that
he had sinned in betraying innocent blood. He offered the priests
the money which they had paid him, and entreated them to release
Jesus, declaring that He was entirely innocent.
For a short time vexation and confusion kept the priests silent.
They did not wish the people to know that they had hired one of the
professed followers of Jesus to betray Him into their hands. Their
hunting Jesus like a thief and taking Him secretly, they wished to
hide. But the confession of Judas and his haggard, guilty appearance
exposed the priests before the multitude, showing that it was hatred
that had caused them to take Jesus. As Judas loudly declared Jesus
to be innocent, the priests replied, “What is that to us? see thou
to that.”
Matthew 27:4
. They had Jesus in their power, and were
determined to make sure of Him. Judas, overwhelmed with anguish,
threw the money that he now despised at the feet of those who had
hired him, and, in anguish and horror, went and hanged himself.
Jesus had many sympathizers in the company about Him, and
His answering nothing to the many questions put to Him amazed
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