Lowdown Dirty Sinner

Matthew 26:14-46

14 At that, one of the twelve, Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests.

Judas Iscariot: 15 What will you give me to turn Him over to you?

They offered him 30 pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment, he began to watch for a chance to betray Jesus.

Judas watched for a chance to betray Jesus. For some reason, this verse really jumped out at me today and got me thinking. I guess in the past I felt a little bit sorry for Judas, the disciple who fell into temptation and was responsible for the death of the Savior. I kind of had a picture in my mind if the pharasees coming to him and tempting him with money. Now, I am not a Bible scholar by any neans, so I may be wrong in my assumption here, but today when I read this verse I realized that the betrayal of Judas was very premeditated. He went to the Chief priests and watched for the perfect chance to hand Jesus over to them so that Judas could earn himself some money. Yeah, I am starting to feel less sorry for the guy.  Like, not sorry at all. A little disgusted, really. 

But then, I have done things which have not honored God. Every time I sin, I am just as guilty as Judas. I have done things that i knew were wrong, and I even told God in prayer that I knew they were wrong, but I did them anyway. I premeditated my sin Just as Judas premeditated the betrayal. That is so low and dirty. That is who I am. A lowdown dirty sinner. I don't deserve a single blessing. 

But Jesus. 

For some strange reason, Jesus still loves me. I am not sure why. I have treated him like dirt many times in my life. But he still welcomes me with open arms when I come to him. When I pray and thank him for the blessings he has given me, I still feel his presence wash over me. 

Judas felt horrible for what he had done, and unfortunately he made a choice to end his life, but I think Jesus would have forgiven him. Jesus came to this earth to die for our sins and Judas was the tool that God used, and I truly don't think he would have done of it he would have known it would have resulted in the death of Jesus. 

If you are a lowdown dirty sinner, Jesus still loves you and wants to welcome you with open arms. All you have to do is ask.