SAVED

Well folks, it's very unusual for me to sit down and write without having had a thought for a time that I have pondered.  It's supper cooking time here at my place.  I have lasagna in the oven, salad draining on the counter, and a frozen package of Cole's garlic bread waiting for the oven. 

On this particular day I have not accomplished a whole lot for sure.  Seems like a lot of days lately I find no accomplishments.  There are clothes to alter, fabrics to sew, ironing to do, scrapbooking that calls me from afar and a house that could stand to be cleaned.  And I want to do all these things...well maybe with the exception of the cleaning of the house and the ironing.  I do dislike ironing.  Maybe I'm just growing slower as I age....or so that's what I'll like to think.

For some odd reason, our cable company has decided to take away The Andy Griffith Show during my supper cooking time so I've had to adapt this week to other forms of kitchen entertainment.  I've pulled out my old CD player as my undercounter one is temperamental these days.  Yesterday my kitchen cd choice was Guy Penrod.  He used to sing with the Gaither Vocal Band and in my opinion, he has one of the prettiest men voices I've ever heard.  Really.  Today I have on the Gaither Vocal Band...duh....Both CD's have a song that is swiftly becoming one of my favorites...so much that today it has touched my heart and caused me to tear up in the eyes.  Now songs that make that happen in the heart have to be considered good. 

This song talks about being a "sinner saved by grace".  The song talks about being loved and forgiven and how He gently leads us back.  Gently.  Can my salvation get any simpler than that?  I think not.  It has made me be thankful all over again and again and again for the precious gift of salvation that I have in my heart and for my heavenly Father who loves me more than anybody loves me.  Granted in the song it talks about in the past being very much sinner-ish and granted honestly, I was a pretty good girl most days but still I was lost without the Lord until I heard the Lord call me.  My heart knew his voice and still does and for that I am so grateful.  I pray I never get so far away that I don't recognize His voice.  What a tragedy that would be!  I can't imagine such.   I don't tell Him enough how grateful I am to be called a child of His.  And without a doubt, I can't humanly go a day without sinning but He doesn't go a day without forgiving either.  What a blessing!

So, of course, I know you all want to know the words of this good song so here are the lyrics:

If you could see what I once wasIf you could go with meBack to where I started fromThen I know you would see
A miracle of love that took meIn it's sweet embraceAnd made me what I am todayJust an old sinner saved by grace
I'm just a sinner saved by graceWhen I stood condemned to deathHe took my place
Now I live and breathe in freedomWith each breath of life I takeLoved and forgiven, backed with a livingI'm just a sinner saved by grace
How could I boast on anythingI've ever seen or done?How could I dare to claim as mineThe victories God has won?
Where would I beHad God not brought meGently to this place?I'm here to say I'm nothingBut a sinner saved by grace
I'm just a sinner saved by graceWhen I stood condemned to deathHe took my place
Now I grow and breathe in freedomWith each breath of life I takeI'm loved and forgiven backed with a livingI'm just a sinner saved by grace
Now I grow and breathe in freedomWith each breath of life I takeI'm loved and forgiven backed with a livingI'm just a sinner saved by grace
Saved by grace
And of course, I say loudly, "AMEN!"

TREES

In the years since I developed a love of photography, I have had a fascination with trees.  I love the different shapes, the unique branches, and all the other qualities of these towering creations.  My family is very patient when I find a tree to photograph.

I am awed by the beauty of trees in the fall season.  For example, the beauty of the Washington State trees.......

...the Montana aspens......

...and our own trees in our neighborhood.

 This is the red maple my parents gave us for one of our first anniversaries....over 30 years ago.

There are trees with snow as they are bathed in sunshine....

....trees that have no leaves but have "character".....

...trees that stand alone...

and trees with large trunks as well as trees with a purpose.

 There are even trees that "reflect".

A year or so ago, The Girl had a turn of doing her office Friday devotion.  She shared it with me.  It was about trees.  She has given me permission to share with you.   

"My mother really, really likes to take pictures.  Recently she's been really into taking pictures of trees. Trees with leaves, trees without leaves, dead trees...you name it, she finds something artistic in it.  Last summer, my family and I went fishing in Louisiana.  There was one particular tree that caught her attention as we sat on the boat.  It was a big tree, not very attractive to the untrained eye, but it was on a small piece of land that sat in the marshy waters of southern Louisiana.

It made you wonder how in the world it could stand up straight in the middle of all the muck and grass and water.  It brought to mind the old song "I Shall Not Be Moved."  I've thought of that tree often lately as the children's choir at our church sings the old hymn often...and wondered what exactly makes a tree planted by the water so special--why not planted in the forest, or on a mountain?

The Bible says in Jeremiah 17:7-8 that 'Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.  He shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.'  

I did a little research on trees, and it turns out that one of the most important parts of the tree is the roots.  No matter what a tree looks like--how big or how small it is--what kind it is--it is anchored by the part of it that we don't see.  It is important that new roots be able to grow and spread out--with good soil, good nutrients, and as few obstacles as possible.  Roots serve three main functions:  absorbing water, absorbing nutrients and minerals, and providing structural stability.

Roots feed a tree, keep it nourished so that it can grow and bear fruit, and keep it tall and strong when the winds blow and the storms come.  So how are we like a tree?  And how can we grow roots that keep us standing tall and bearing fruit to share with the world?  We need to feed our roots with God's Word and stay in constant fellowship with Him so that we can constantly be refreshed with His living water.  Maybe that's why the tree is planted by the water--as a reminder that we should walk closely with God!  With God as our source of strength, we will be able to withstand the winds and storms of life as they come.  Not only that, we are promised that when the drought comes and when we are put through the fire, we will still bear fruit.

That's a source of comfort to me in these times--a promise that, if we stay rooted in God and His Word that we will endure the drought that we are in right now, whether it be from the economy, health issues, or just being in a 'desert' period of your life.  He won't let us just wither up!"

And to The Girl's words, I say, "AMEN!"

UP

And what about some of the rest of the story?

A time after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples.  They were afraid, thinking they had seen a spirit.

"And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled?  and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?  Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."  Luke 24:38, 39

They then believed.  He asked them if they had any meat and they gave him a piece of broiled fish and honeycomb to eat.  

His disciple, Thomas, was not in the number there.  The other disciples told Thomas of the meeting with Jesus.  He said that unless he saw the nail prints in Jesus' hands, put his finger in the nail prints, and thrust his hand into his side, he would not believe.  Thus, the phrase "Doubting Thomas".

Eight days later, Jesus appeared to them again with Thomas in the group.  Jesus told Thomas to see the prints, "and be not faithless, but believing".  Thomas answered, "My Lord and my God."

Jesus then said to Thomas "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."  

I figure those that have not seen, yet believed would include me in that number.  By faith I do believe in Jesus and the work he did here for me and for my salvation.

Jesus then said from Luke 24:44-48:

"And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.

And said unto them, Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

And ye are witnesses of these things."

Jesus also told them "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghose is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."  Acts 1:7,8

What happened next, you might ask?  And where is Jesus today?

The first chapter of the book of Acts also documents the ascension of Jesus.  It was while the disciples watched that he was taken up and a cloud took him out of their sight.  They were looking up toward heaven and "two men stood by in white apparel"  and said, " Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?  this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."  Acts 1:11

That tells me to look up.  Keep looking UP.   Jesus will come again in the clouds to receive us "unto himself that where he is, there we shall be also."  This is one of the very greatest promises made to us.  

When he returns in power and glory, we shall see Jesus....just as he is!

AMEN!

ALIVE!

Then morning came…..

“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.  (The other gospels speak of they as being women—Mary Magdelene included in the group.)

And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed therabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments;

And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

And they remembered his words.”  Luke 24:1-8

JESUS IS ALIVE!!!!!!!!! 

The Lord they had walked with, talked with, saw taken and crucified now was ALIVE….risen, just as He said He would. 

Sadness had been the emotion but now joy takes it’s place.  As  Psalm 30:5 says, “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”  What a blessing….joy in the morning!  Joy all the time!

Alive, alive.  Jesus is alive!  Forevermore.

One of the most comforting of promises of the Lord is in John 14:19 and goes like this, “….because I live, ye shall live also.”   Another one of my favorite songs is written from this verse and goes like this:

God sent his son. 

They called him Jesus.

He came to love, heal and forgive.

He bled and died to buy my pardon.

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because he lives I can face tomorrow.

Because he lives all fear is gone.

Because I know he holds the future.

And life is worth the living just because he lives.

I can tell you that my Lord is still alive today.  He lives within my heart.  He is my Savior.  He is my dearest friend.  He knows me and He loves me!  I am blessed beyond measure to call him “Father” and know that I’m his child.  I have believed on him and his work on the cross and His salvation is mine!  I’m a sinner saved by grace!

Loved.

Saved.

Blessed.

Do you know my Jesus?

FREE

Crucifixion day has past.  The brutality, mocking, and physical pain is done.  Jesus lies in a borrowed tomb, a tomb sealed tightly.

The scriptures don’t give any writing on much of the happenings during the next three days.  It is said that the women who followed to the sepulchre returned to their homes, prepared spices and ointments, and rested on the Sabbath day.    Otherwise, nothing is documented about anyone else.  My thoughts to follow will be purely my speculations and food for your thoughts.

Maybe the remaining eleven disciples of Jesus went on about their business.  Or maybe they talked quietly among themselves about what had occurred.  Maybe they discussed the fact that Jesus promised that on the third day, he would rise again.  Maybe they grieved that their master was gone.  Maybe some were ashamed that they didn’t stand up for Jesus when he needed them most.

The chief priests and scribes might have had some satisfaction that now the man who did miracles was finally in the grave.  They could have been looking forward to life in their government to be as it was before when they were solely in charge.  They could have thought (as our present day government does) that they know best and now they will handle things the “right” way.  Free now from that deceiver and blasphemer who stirred up the people.

How about blind Bartimaeus?  Before Jesus came, he was blind….now he can see.  

How about the lame man who had never walked before?  He would still be walking around the town.  

How about Jarius’ daughter who was dead but after Jesus came, she was alive again?  

And Lazarus, Mary, and Martha?   Maybe grieved that their friend Jesus was gone.  I would imagine they kept their hope.  

How about the woman with the issue of blood?  She but touched the hem of his garment and was made whole by her faith.  

On that day after crucifixion, these had to be sad that their Lord was in the tomb but they continued to be living testimonies that He is Lord.

The one person I think most about is one man who is mentioned only in one section of the story.  Going back a few hours before crucifixion, think about a murderer sitting in prison.  I would imagine he is sitting there, probably in bonds or shackles, probably a notorious murderer.  He knows it’s crucifixion day and his number is about to come up.  He is looking death in the face.  He hears the soldiers coming.  Their steps get louder and louder as they get closer and closer to the cell.  Imagine his thoughts as he thinks of what is to come.  Imagine the doors open, the soldiers remove the shackles and say, “Barabbas, you are free!  Someone else is dying for you.  Have a nice life.”  I would imagine Barabbas is dumbstruck.  He knows he’s guilty of a horrible crime, a crime worthy of crucifixion.  But what can this mean?  Someone is taking HIS place on the cross?  How can this be?  He’s not going to the cross?  He is free.  Free.  Free.  

I wonder what Barabbas was doing and thinking on this day after the crucifixion?  I try to imagine how I would feel if it were me and try as I may, I can’t even begin to imagine. 

If I really think about it, though, I can know what that is like.  Jesus died on the cross for me.  He took MY place.  Sin’s shackles may be bound around but Jesus died on the cross that I might be freed from those shackles of sin.   He died on the cross so that I might believe on him and be saved.  Saved from sin, washed white as snow, and bound to live with HIM in a heavenly eternity. 

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”  John 3:14-17

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”  Romans 6:22

Freedom.  Lasting freedom.  Everlasting joy.

THE CROSS

Scripture references:   Matthew 27:32-66; Mark 15:21-47; Luke 23:26-55; John 19:17-42

My emotions have been a bit tender today as I have been thinking about this post about the cross.  The cross.  The horror and the beauty all rolled into one…. horrible way to die and yet a glorious symbol of a Savior and King. 

Crucifixion, the Roman mode of punishment, was a painful way to die.  After the “criminal” was beaten and scourged and much more, the multitude would head to Golgotha, said to mean in Hebrew, a place of the skull. 

It is my understanding from one of the gospels that Jesus began the trip to Golgotha carrying his own cross, but bent and fell from the weight of it.  Not only was it a heavy wooden cross, but it carried with it our iniquities.  A man, Simon of Cyrene, was compelled to carry the cross for Jesus.   A great company of women, men and others followed, crying for him. 

At Calvary, they nailed his hands and feet to the cross and reared it up with him hanging on it.    As we “behold” this manner of death he endured and died, let us  “behold” with what manner of love he had for US.

Above the cross was a sign with a title written by Pilate, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.  The chief priests were not happy about this and asked Pilate to write I AM KING OF THE JEWS.  Pilate refused to change the sign. 

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”  Luke 23:34

The soldiers took his clothing and divided it but cast lots for his coat. 

They gave him vinegar mixed with gall to drink and he would not drink.

They mocked him.

He was crucified with two thieves and hung in the middle of them, the middle one usually signifying the worst crime of the three.   He was at his death counted with the transgressors so that we might be counted with the saints.    One of the thieves said to him “If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.”  The other rebuked him and said, “…we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.” 

“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”   Luke 23:42, 43.   Compassion.

The Scriptures say that at about the 6^th hour, there was a darkness all over the earth until about the 9^th hour….three hours of darkness. 

Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Jesus said, “I thirst” and they filled a sponge with vinegar, put it on a branch and gave him.    When he had received the vinegar, he cried, “It is finished,” and he gave up the ghost.    It was about the ninth hour.

The soldiers then broke the legs of the two thieves but when they came to Jesus, saw that he was dead already.   One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and out came blood and water. 

When Jesus died, Matthew 27:51-54 says this:

“And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And he graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose.  And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.  Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.”

With the evening approaching, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him leave.  He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.”  John 19:38

Nicodemus, the same Nicodemus who came to Jesus about salvation in John 3:1-21, came also bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes.  The two men took the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices which was the Jewish custom of burial.  In the place of the crucifixion was a garden and in that garden was a new sepulchre  (tomb) where no one had laid.  Joseph and Nicodemus put the body of Jesus there….a borrowed tomb.

On the next day the chief priests and scribes came to Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember that the deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.  Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.”  Matthew 27:63-64

The tomb was made “sure”, the stone was sealed and a watch was set.

Though they called Jesus a "deceiver", I wondered if maybe, just maybe, those chief priests and scribes believed a bit that Jesus WAS who he said and that he WOULD rise again.

Jesus fulfilled the will of his Father by dying on the cross for our sins.  A few months before my father-in-law went to be with the Lord, he told The Husband that he wanted a frame for a picture he had gotten.  I bought a mat, The Husband built a frame, and The Father-in-Law kept the picture hung on his wall until his passing.  The picture is now ours.  It shows and says this:

You might be one who finds the Biblical accounts of Jesus’ life and others a bit far fetched and you might ask if I REALLY believe this.  I will tell you that I REALLY do.   By faith, I know that it all happened just as the scriptures said and by faith I have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and the work HE did on the cross.  Because of that belief, at the end of this life as I know it I will  reside in heaven with him.  Yes, I DO believe for sure and hope that you do as well.   I will cherish that old rugged cross.  I will cling to that old rugged cross because it symbolizes life to me.

There is a man at my church who ends all his prayers ALWAYS with “Thank you for the cross”.  Sometimes we take that for granted but it is to me also one of the most wonderful things for which we have to give thanks.

Thank you, Lord, for the cross.

Amen.

GUILTY

Bible reference:  Matthew 27:11-28; Mark 15:1-20; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:12-14, 24-16

The band, captain, and officers of the Jews took Jesus, bound him, and led him to Annas first.  Annas was the father-in-law to Caiaphas who was the high priest that same year.  The high priest asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 

“Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret I have said nothing.  Why askest me?  Ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them; behold, they know what I said.”  John 18:20, 21

When he said these things, one of the officers struck Jesus with the palm of his hand.

Annas sent him to Caiaphas, then he was sent to Pilate.  The false accusations by his accusers continued….perverting the nation, forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying he himself is Christ the King.

“And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews?  And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.  Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.”  Luke 23:3,4

The crowd became more fierce, talking about Jesus being from Galilee.  Pilate at this point saw another way out and sent him to Herod, the Galilean jurisdiction.  Herod was in Jerusalem himself at this time.

When Herod saw Jesus he was glad because he had heard many things of him and Herod hoped to see a miracle with his own eyes.  It seemed that Herod was a bit starstruck at the idea.  Herod questioned Jesus but Jesus spoke not a word.   The chief priests and scribes stood by and continue accusing.  Herod with his soldiers mocked Jesus, put on him a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.  An interesting part of my study told me that in the past Pilate and Herod had been somewhat at odds for whatever reason.  Somehow this day, Pilate and Herod buried their differences and became friends. 

Pilate again told the multitude that “I find no fault in this man.”  Pilate, seeing another potential way out knew that it was customary at that feast to release a prisoner.  At that time they had a notable prisoner named Barabbas, accused of murder.  Pilate asked the people gathered, Whom will ye that I release unto you?  Barabbas, or Jesus which is called the Christ?” 

Pilate’s wife came to him and told him that she had a dream and that Pilate should have nothing to do with Jesus, this just man.  But the chief priest and elders persuaded the multitude to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 

Pilate again asked the multitude which should be released, Barabbas or Jesus?  They all said to let Jesus be crucified.  Pilate argued, “What evil has he done?”  But they cried out all the more, “Crucify him, crucify him.”

When Pilate saw he could make no difference in the decision, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying “I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see ye to it.”  The multitude answered, “His blood be on us and on our children.”

Barabbas was freed.

Jesus was scourged.  (Scourging is being beaten with knots of rope or plaited leather thongs, often armed at the ends with acorn-shaped pieces of lead or pointed bones.)

Jesus was stripped and clothed in a scarlet robe.

Jesus had a crown of thorns pushed down onto his head and a reed placed in his right hand.

Jesus was mocked.

Jesus was spit on.

Jesus was smote on the head with the reed.

Jesus was mocked all the more. Then his robe was removed, his own clothing placed back on, and he was lead away to be crucified.   All of this he bore in silence.

Guilty.  Of what?  A desire to do His Father’s will.  Guilty.  Of what?  Love for you and me. 

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13

When I ponder what the Lord has done for me, I find myself brought to the Old Testament prophecy, one of my favorite scriptures, in Isaiah 53:3-7 and it reads like this: 

“He is despised and rejected of men: a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not,

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him: and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”

THAT’S only part of what He did for you and me.  

SOLD OUT

Luke 22:1-6, 47-65

Back even before the Passover meal, the chief priests and scribes were trying to figure out how they might kill Jesus.  Satan entered into Disciple Judas so Judas went to the chief priests and scribes and struck a deal for thirty pieces of silver.

After Jesus had prayed in the garden, a multitude approached with Judas among them.  Judas came close to Jesus to kiss him.  “But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” Luke 22:48  A kiss of betrayal.  A sign that this was the man you want.  Jesus.

One of his disciples asked if they should draw their swords and drew his sword.  He then cut off the right ear of a servant of the high priest.  Jesus immediately touched the ear and healed the servant.    Jesus, in the midst of turmoil, was still showing compassion.

“Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?  When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”  Luke 22:52, 53

They took Jesus, and led him to the house of the high priest.  Peter followed from far back. 

Some people made a fire in the midst of the hall and were sitting around—waiting to see what happened, I would guess.  Peter just sat there with them.  There was a woman there who spoke and said that Peter was with Jesus.  Peter replied, “Woman, I know him not.”  And after awhile, a man spoke up and said to Peter, “Thou art also of them.”  Peter again said, “Man, I am not.”

“And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.  And Peter said, Man I know not what thou sayest.  And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.  And the Lord turned , and looked upon Peter.  And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.  And Peter went out and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:59-62

In my mind’s eye as I picture that look between Jesus and Peter, I can picture the agony in both sets of eyes.  How many times have I wept bitterly over wrong decisions and painful times?  There’s no weeping like a bitter weeping.  

As for Judas, Matthew 27:3-10 says that when he saw he was condemned, he repented himself and brought the thirty pieces of silver back to the chief priests and scribes saying that he had sinned and betrayed the innocent blood.  The chief priests and scribes were very uncaring.  Judas threw down the silver, left and went and hanged himself.  As for the silver, the chief priests found it unlawful to put back into the treasury as they were the price of blood so they bought a potter’s field in which to bury strangers. 

Sold out.  Denied.  So sad.