The Day After

(ROCKWALL, TX — April 2, 2018) I’ve been studying quite a bit about Easter during these last 40 days. Some things have struck me that I’ve not noticed before. I’d like to share them with you and look a little more closely.

It didn’t end well for Judas. Even though Jesus chose him, he was not able to get past his greed. Interesting that Jesus gave him charge of the money, knowing his weakness. Matthew would probably have been a better choice since he was a tax collector and dealt with money for a living. My GRANDS asked the question, “Was Judas really sorry that he had betrayed Jesus?” That’s a hard one. It’s Matthew that records the event in greatest detail. Regret often leads to despair, which leads to more destructive choices.

Speaking of regrets, after Peter denied Christ the third time, the Bible says, that Jesus turned his face and looked Peter in the eye. At that moment Peter remembered that Jesus told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” I cannot imagine the crushing emotion of both of these men regretting their motives that played a part in this story…the Greatest Story Ever Told.

Have you heard of Malchus? He was the slave of the High Priest and for some unknown reason was a part of the crowd that came to arrest Jesus. Impetuous Peter is going to try single-handedly to prevent the event, lunging forward with his small knife, cutting off the right ear of Malchus. Imagine the pain Malchus experienced, holding his head in hands trying to stop the bleeding. Before the blood has time to clot on his hands, his ear is healed. What must have gone through his mind later as he possibly regretted playing a part in the death of the Man who healed his bleeding head?

Pilate’s wife sent him a note during the trial saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” Imagine their conversations after the Crucifixion, and Pilate’s lack of courage to stop the outrageous accusations. Any regrets?

I suppose Easter is about regrets. Easter reveals them and forgives them. Jesus came to pay the penalty for my regrets. As Billy Graham told us his whole life, “Repent and be saved!” These stories have been of humans that had regrets, life-staining ones. Only heaven will reveal to us whether their regrets led them to repentance. Whether Judas, Peter, Malchus or Pilate…or you…any regrets? Don’t let those regrets crush you any longer. These men’s regrets are part of history…HIS STORY. Let Him lift that crushing sorrow you’ve been carrying and rewrite your history.

By Paula Lively. Paula is a Volunteer Chaplain at Broadmoor Medical Lodge in Rockwall. She is a VERY retired RN who loves serving the residents at Broadmoor. She and her husband, Fred, have lived in Rockwall for 15 years.

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