Today's Passage - Matthew 27:1-10

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 27:1-10   Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."    How sad was the ending of Judas! He saw Jesus convicted and he regretted. But it was already too late. He returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and elders, but they were unmoved. When devil Satan entices us to commit a sin, he will use all kinds of sweet talk to trick us into his wicked sins. However, after we commit a sin, and start feeling regret, devil shows no sympathy for us. Instead he will accuse us, just like the chief priest here.   We often live in a state of regret and then discover it too late. Many times, men who are husbands told me that their wives wanted a divorce but they had no idea why. After talking to them we found out that in the past, the husbands had spent too much time at work, had neglected family, wife, and children. When they found out that their wives are leaving them, they try to redeem themselves. But they were too late. When the career of Elvis Presley was at its height, he was surprised that his wife wanted a divorce because he spent every day in performances while neglected her. After his wife left him, Elvis' career started going downhill. He started doing drug and getting drunk. Then he wrote a song, "You are always in my mind", regretting his wife' leaving. He wanted things to be back the way they were. But it was all too late.   May God give us a keen heart. In every opportunity, let us grasp the blessings God gives us so that we will not live in a state of regret.  Judas regretted, so he went out and hung himself. That wrong decision brought a sad ending of his life. May God give us wisdom to walk with the Lord every day. Let us resist all temptations from the enemy and experience God's blessings!     Pray with Pastor Tong     Lord, may your Holy Spirit help us not to live in a state of regret. Let us experience your mercy and blessing whenever we turn back to you. May God help us to live our daily life for you.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!