Two people were to die that day. The corrupt court condemned Jesus to death but could not carry out the sentence, because under Roman law only the Governor could authorise execution by crucifixion. So they sent Jesus to Pilate, even though they did not have a charge that warranted the death sentence. The other person was Judas Iscariot, the betrayer.
 
Judas had bargained for the life of Jesus and had received thirty pieces of silver; it was a huge sum for a money-hungry thief (John 12:6). But the thrill of getting the cash, and leading the arrest party, had vanished. Instead, Judas was left with the unshakable conviction that he had sent an innocent man to His death, and it was his fault. As remorse tortured his soul, he went back to the office of the chief priests. He wanted to return the money and have Jesus released. But his pleas were futile.
 
The guilt-wracked man found the money too emotionally painful to handle and so he threw it into the temple and went away. He had only despair to accompany his guilty conscience. Had he wished, he could still have called to Jesus to forgive him, as the thief on the cross did (Luke 23:40-43). But although he was full of remorse he still had no faith in Jesus and so no possibility of forgiveness. His solution was a bad one, and a wrong one (Acts 1:18).
 
Sin is a squalid business. It always results in death (Romans 3:23): either the eternal death of the sinner or the death of Jesus Christ as the substitute for sinners who repent. Remorse is not repentance. Remorse is that toxic mixture of guilt and despair which removes all hope; repentance is the grief of a soiled conscience combined with the assurance of forgiveness leading to a new start. For those who trust in Jesus, repentance should be a frequent experience because sin is frequent. Do not allow the opportunity for repentance to slip by: it is the only way to avoid being cut off from God. If you have allowed yourself to be trapped in despair, come back to the Lord quickly: repent and know the release of forgiveness and the beginning of a new start.