618
The Desire of Ages
Saviour did not reproach His betrayer. He knew that Judas did not
repent; his confession was forced from his guilty soul by an awful
sense of condemnation and a looking for of judgment, but he felt no
deep, heartbreaking grief that he had betrayed the spotless Son of
God, and denied the Holy One of Israel. Yet Jesus spoke no word of
condemnation. He looked pityingly upon Judas, and said, For this
hour came I into the world.
A murmur of surprise ran through the assembly. With amazement
they beheld the forbearance of Christ toward His betrayer. Again there
swept over them the conviction that this Man was more than mortal.
But if He was the Son of God, they questioned, why did He not free
Himself from His bonds and triumph over His accusers?
Judas saw that his entreaties were in vain, and he rushed from the
hall exclaiming, It is too late! It is too late! He felt that he could not
live to see Jesus crucified, and in despair went out and hanged himself.
Later that same day, on the road from Pilate’s hall to Calvary, there
came an interruption to the shouts and jeers of the wicked throng
who were leading Jesus to the place of crucifixion. As they passed a
retired spot, they saw at the foot of a lifeless tree, the body of Judas.
It was a most revolting sight. His weight had broken the cord by
which he had hanged himself to the tree. In falling, his body had been
horribly mangled, and dogs were now devouring it. His remains were
immediately buried out of sight; but there was less mockery among the
throng, and many a pale face revealed the thoughts within. Retribution
seemed already visiting those who were guilty of the blood of Jesus.
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