Excuses

Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday are fast approaching.  At church we are doing a series called "A Love That Never Dies."  One of the readings and meditations focuses on Judas, the betrayer of Jesus.
As I was thinking about Judas, I started wondering how he could forsake Jesus and deliver Him up to the religious leaders who were trying to arrest and kill Jesus.  What went through his mind?  And then it started coming....all the thoughts that were possibly going through Judas' head, all of his "good" reasons, his excuses and rationalizations.  Thoughts like:

"He knows--I don't know how but He does.  Jesus knows what I am about to do!"
"How can He talk of death?  I thought we would become kings and princes by following Him!  What kind of Messiah is this!  A Savior-HA!"
"All these three years I've followed Him all over the place!  And for what?  A few measly coins that I helped myself to!  No one offered me anything, I had to pay myself.  After all I've given up for Him."
"And what do I, what do any of us get in the end?  Prison at best, death at worst--what happened to overthrowing Rome!??!  What happened to us ruling with Him?"
How can I betray the one who loved me?  Who showed such love to thousands.  He loved me, taught me.  How can I turn on Him?  Why am I doing this?"
"Is it too late to stop this.  Too late for me?"
"They will get Him anyway.  He says so Himself.  I may as well get something out of it.  They will get Jesus with or without my help.  Why should I die too?"

Does it sound like something that may have gone through Judas' head?  Does it sound like excuses that we all make to sin?  What circumstances, temptations are you facing right now?  I've done it. Run through all the reasons I should do something I know to be wrong....make excuses for my sin.

Sadly, for Judas, he followed the excuses, and even sadder, he died not able to accept the forgiveness so freely offered.  I don't know whether God reached his heart or not in the moments before he hung himself.  But it's a lesson for us all...the sin we make excuses for will not bring us joy, it will not give us peace or pleasure.  It will bring  heart rending sorrow and deep regret.

Thankfully, happily we have a forgiving, loving Father who sees as as we are, fallen and weak, yet willingly forgives when we ask, and lovingly restores us when we fail.  1 John 1:9  But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all wickedness. What a wonderful God we serve!  

Thank You Lord for Your undeserved forgiveness and unfailing love.  You are awesome.  I need it so often, and yet You never tire of showing me mercy.  Please help me to do better!

Is there a sin in your life you are making excuses for?