Innocent Blood

So today I came across a verse that made me stop and think for just a moment. I've read it a few times before but always just in passing. I never actually thought about the ways it can be applied.

• "'I have sinned,' he said, 'for I have betrayed innocent blood." 'What is that to us?' they replied. 'That's your responsibility." -Matthew 27:4

This is where Judas realizes exactly what he has done; he betrayed the Son of God. He tries to return the silver to the chief priests, but they refuse it. Because Judas is so distraught, he hangs himself.

We have all sinned. Because of that fact, we have betrayed innocent blood. We have betrayed Jesus. He was, He is, and He will forever be absolutely flawless.

The part that gets me about this verse though is: "That's your responsibility." This magnifies free will. We know that we have sinned, so now it is our choice to decide what to do about it. We can either put the blame on someone else (trying to return to silver) or... and I know this just sounds absolutely crazy... but we can actually take responsibility for our actions. We can confess to Jesus that we have done so many things wrong and allow Him to fix it. I truly believe if Judas would have asked Jesus for forgiveness, for the thing Jesus had been preaching prior to the crucifixion, He would have forgiven Judas. But instead, Judas took another route. He tried to take matters into his own hands, and it obviously didn't end well.

My challenge for you is this: Realize that without Jesus, we venture into another path that doesn't end well. Yesterday night, Jesus gave me a wonderful picture. His love is like a rollercoaster. (I know we've all heard an analogy like this before, but just go with it for a second.) His love is not a smooth distance from point A to point B. It has many hills, sharp turns, and drops. We always feel our stomach drop before going up or down a hill. But at the end of the ride, we always have a HUGE smile on our face. With His love, it's hard not to smile. He takes us through many paths. But that's just it. He TAKES us THROUGH them. He is with us every step of the way.

So don't take the "easy" way, if there even really is such a thing. Take the Highway. (Ha. Get it? Cuz Jesus is the High way. ahahahha!) But anyway, choose His love above all else. I PROMISE YOU... He won't give up on you, and He will love you NO MATTER WHAT!!! (And you can quote me on that.)