“the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.
22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!”
23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.” – Luke 22: 21-23
Spoiler alert: it was Judas! I wonder what would have happened if Judas would have apologized. He seemed to have realized his fall from grace by hanging himself but what if instead of suicide he would have gone to Jesus Christ and told him how sorry he truly was, would Jesus have forgiven him? Everything we have been taught about Jesus would lead us to believe that of course Jesus would have forgiven him. Could the person who gave up God for ransom turn his life around and enter the gates of heaven?
Look at St. Paul, who was once known as Saul. His mission was to have as many of those members of “the way”, that new Christian following, killed as possible. Until he was struck by a vision of Jesus Christ asking why he was killing his people. Saul became Paul and unbelievably was accepted as the most influential apostle ever.
My students have just finished writing informative essays of Saints who were sinners. The assignment was for a morality class. My purpose is for each student to research about the life of the saint who was immoral, learning about their transgressions. Then discovering his/her conversion and life in Jesus Christ. Not just to a new life but to one that was so selfless that he/she became a Saint. Each of my student’s needs to know that Jesus will forgive any sin, vice, or bad behavior. One must be contrite of heart and willing to change his/her life for the better. Then he/she could also become a Saint.
Our faith in Jesus Christ is not about damnation, punishment, and hell. It is about hope, faith, and love. Jesus gives us hope that we can change, faith that we will do better, and the love to see it through. No matter what you have done in the past Jesus never stops loving you. Reconcile your relationship with God and turn to the good. The beginning can start at any moment. We love and worship a forgiving, merciful God. Even if you have betrayed Jesus Christ if you are sorry and want to lead a new life with your confession, contrite heart and reconciliation you can have a relationship with God once more. Search your heart and seek God’s mercy and love today!
