Although not the longest chapter in Matthew, it feels like it to me. There is just so much going on in this chapter. Just read the headings: Jesus Brought Before Pilate, The Suicide of Judas, Pilate Questions Jesus, Barabbas or Jesus, Pilate Hands Jesus Over to be Crucified, The Soldiers Mock Jesus, The Crucifixion of Jesus, The Death of Jesus, The Burial of Jesus, The Guard at the Tomb. It almost feels frenzied to me, the amount of information and story telling going on concerning the last couple of days of Jesus’ life and death is overwhelming. As I’m Bible journaling through this chapter, this heading stopped me hard, “The Suicide of Judas.”
A very dear friend of mine’s son is walking forty miles a day for the next four and a half days to raise awareness about veteran suicide in support of a film he is in, Project 22. Suicide is real and it’s not reserved for some traitor who sold the God Man for thirty pieces of silver. And you know what verse struck me, verse 4b, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”
A quotes from the movie trailer I just linked to
So often hurting souls think they are alone; such an evil, evil ploy of the enemy! So often they hear something along the lines of what Judas heard, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” This isn’t said out of lack of concern, it’s said out of ignorance or fear. Again, ignorance and fear, such evil, evil ploys of the enemy! Can you hear me mommas and teens and widows and every living, breathing soul? Because I am looking at you right now and I am telling you…
Do you feel abandoned? scared? frustrated? exhausted? alone? So did Jesus.
There is nothing you can feel that someone else has not felt…maybe even someone in your inner circle.
There is nothing…nothing so difficult that can take your hope away from you and don’t you give it up either.
Suicide is real and scary. I do not like to read about, talk about or think about suicide. As a matter of fact there is not a surer way of making me shut off a movie, trash a book or walk away from the internet than to bring up suicide. It makes my skin crawl, my heart race and my mind try to escape. But worse than all those scary feelings I try my hardest avoid, I would never want someone to feel from me through my words or actions, “See to it yourself.”
Bible Journaling: Matthew 27
P–There are so many souls who are hurt Lord…so many. Please Lord, I pray they never give up hope. I pray they run to You, see help…and rest. This chapter feels frenzied and life feels frenzied and sometimes Lord, people just just jump ship, get off the merry-go-round and check out. I pray rest for their weary souls. I pray rest for their distraught minds. I pray rest for their drained hearts.
O–There is a lot to this chapter and I don’t know that I could add more or stop once I started. This is an emotional chapter and one I think best spent considering it in light of the Stations of the Cross. During the stations, time seems slowed and this story can be taken in properly–through prayer and meditation.
W—vs 4b…”What is that to us? See to it yourself.”
E–So how do I apply this Scripture and these meditations to my life? I think just being aware Lord. People are fighting some hard interior battles that I am not even aware of; charity, charity, charity. And to assume the best and forgive the worst.
R–Lord, help me to be kind and patient with all I meet because I don’t know their interior battles. Help me to be kind and patient with myself; I do know my interior battles. I pray Lord for a spirit of hope for myself and in abundance so I can share it with others.
To read more about the acronym POWER I use in my Bible Journaling, visit this post, Bible Journaling: A POWERful New Method.
Please share your POWERful reflections in the comments.
deb00 says
P: Help me Lord to restrain my tongue in unnecessary talk. Let nothing leave my mouth that is not for You.
O: Judas sadly had no hope that Christ would forgive his horrible sin and instead fell into despair and took his life. Even though the chief priests realized they had blood money in their possession they had no remorse, they just wanted to follow the law. Pilate showed his lack of courage by continuing to listen to all people rather than releasing Jesus who he knew was innocent and his wife warned him to release because of a dream. Even though Pilate handed him over he then washed himself of any responsibility claiming innocents.
Jesus quietly allowed the charge, the maltreatment, the mockery….all for US!
W: Mt 27:31 When they had mocked Him they stripped Him of his own clothes and led Him off to crucify Him
E: How many times am i too cowardly to speak up for what I know is right? How many times have I just walked away so as not to be involved in dirty jokes, etc. rather than speaking up?
R: Dear Lord help me to be courageous in speaking up, despite possible ridicule and rejection. Hep me always be mindful of what You did for me and all humanity and You uttered not a word.
Jenny says
Courage! Sometimes so hard to discern between being pushy or being courageous.
Deb00 says
Indeed!
Michelle says
The verse about Judas is heartbreaking for me to read. Although it’s a mystery for the most part, I suspect he felt that his sins were just too big or bad to be forgiven. If not, there are plenty of others who have suffered a loss of hope to some degree or another. I know that feeling well. For example, I have lost my temper on the way to mass in the past and heard that voice saying, “Don’t even bother going, you are not worthy now.” No.hope.here.
Lies. What makes them crafty is that they are based on some truth, however small.
Speaking of lies, many people today no longer believe in the devil, but that evil is only a concept or opposite of good. And that depression is strictly physiological in nature. But a half truth is sometimes as good as a lie and the truth is that Satan does enter into people at times. He plays on our anger, lack of forgiveness, sickness and fear. Good people can be influenced although not coerced. Look at Peter when Jesus said, “Get behind me Satan.”
We are all called to be soldiers and we cannot leave our fellow man behind. Avoid the temptation to say, “This will pass.” or “It’s not my problem and someone else will solve it.” Let us employ the spiritual weapons as well as modern medicine in accordance with our abilities. We can offer others our experiences of God’s infinite mercy and forgiveness and mostly ~ His love and sacrifice for us.
Jenny says
I am so thankful our family has always belonged to a Church where the priest took the devil seriously. Our Bishop even does. We live in a Diocese that has a beginning order of priests formed strictly to perform exorcisms all over the country. Now, that being said, because I live in this Diocese with this new order, there are many who see the devil under every rock instead of just every other.
Kay Comer says
Suicide is a hard thing for me to read about or hear about also. So many people feel hopeless and in such despair these days. I’m so excited about the new movie coming out this weekend “War Room” and I’m hoping and actually feeling that it’s going to make a huge impact on people’s and families lives everywhere. At least I’m hoping and praying.
Loved your blog – super post and well said.
Jenny says
Thanks for the visit Kay. I’ll have to look into that movie as I haven’t heard anything about it.
Lauren says
That is a very hard chapter in the Bible to read, just from the weight of what it holds.
As far as Veterans and suicide. I recently learned that more Vets take their lives off of combat than those who die in combat. A very worthy cause to fight for indeed.
Jenny says
I read that statistic too Lauren. So incredibly sad.
Scott Fischer says
Bravo! Nice post on a topic that is worth reminding everyone.
Jenny says
Thank you Scott. I appreciate the time to leave a comment.