Often we think Judas Iscariot’s greatest down fall was betraying Jesus by handing him over to the High Priest.  Let’s consider a few things.

Judas traveled with Jesus for 3 years.  He saw and heard all that was said and done.  He witnessed the miracles and the debates Jesus had with the Pharisees.  Judas knew Jesus could outsmart the Pharisees who tried to trap him.  “Let him without sin cast the first stone”. “Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar”. “is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath”. “ Was John the Baptist of God or of men?”  

If Jesus was turned over to the high priest, what could be the worst that could happen?  Judas knew the Jews did not have right or authority to carry out the death sentence.  He also knew the Romans did not want to get involved in “religious” issues.

Things suddenly went sour when the High Priest turned Jesus over to the Roman government.  That is when Judas realized the gravity of his actions.  He himself knew Jesus was innocent of the charges brought against him.  “I have betrayed an innocent man.”

But Judas’ greatest fall was forgetting the Words of Jesus.  “I am going away and will come back”  The story wasn’t over yet.  As far as Judas was concerned, it was.  Judas witnessed Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.  Jesus proclaimed he was the resurrection and the life.  But somehow, Judas didn’t believe it applied to him.  As a result he made himself his own judge and executioner.  He judged himself guilty, therefore worthy of death.  Up to that point he was right.   But, he didn’t wait for the resurrection.  What would it be like if Judas had not hanged himself and saw the resurrected Jesus?  Since Jesus died for the sins of the world, I believe Jesus would have forgiven Judas had he repented.

Peter also betrayed Jesus, but when he realized what he had done, “he went out and wept”—repented.  Peter watched from afar and had the joy of experiencing the forgiveness and restoration of the resurrected Jesus.

When you condemn yourself and believe there is no forgiveness for something you have done, you are walking the Judas syndrome.  Though you may not hang yourself physically, you hang yourself spiritually, mentally, and emotionally by allowing the self-condemnation to block out the forgiveness of Jesus.  Repent of the sin.  Repent of making yourself  the judge and jury. Repent of not believing the blood of Jesus cannot remove your sin.  Forgive yourself.  “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”.