Slices
Prepare
This very sad account of how Judas ended his life may raise painful memories for some. If you are not emotionally ready for this section, feel free to miss it out. Otherwise ask God for his help as you read.
Bible passage
Judas hangs himself
27 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2 So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’
‘What is that to us?’ they replied. ‘That’s your responsibility.’
5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, ‘It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.’ 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: ‘They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.’
Explore
It may be that Judas, hoping for a political Messiah to free Israel from the Roman occupation, tries by his betrayal to force the hand of Jesus and propel him into leading a revolt. His plan, however, tragically backfires. Realising his actions will now cost Jesus his life, Judas is full of remorse and tries to return the 30 pieces of silver he received to betray Jesus (v 3). While Peter maintains hope, Judas sees no way out. He turns in on himself and a dark despair takes over, driving him to take his own life (v 5). It is a sad end for one of the twelve.
Human despair, bereft of hope, can lead people to a lonely and destructive place. The mix of punishing emotions that accompany guilt and shame can distort the balance of the mind. When self-loathing takes over, and only excruciating inner pain is felt, the ending of life may appear a welcome release. Such troubled souls (and those close to them) deserve our compassion and understanding, not our censure or judgement.
Respond
Look out for anyone close to you whose mental health is unstable and offer your support. If you are troubled yourself, seek appropriate help as soon as possible. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but of strength.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Deuteronomy 33,34; Romans 9
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Eddie Nock (Head of Marketing and Communications) as he leads a small team to inspire people by the work of Scripture Union. Pray particularly for success for the #DiscoverSU campaign that aims to share SU with even more people.
Equipping the church to reach the next generation
Across England and Wales, increasing numbers of children and young people are asking big questions about life, faith and meaning. Many are more open than we might assume – curious, thoughtful, and ready for conversations about Jesus, even when church isn’t part of their everyday world. For churches who have a heart for the next generation, this presents a real and hopeful opportunity.
Many leaders carry a deep desire to help the next generation encounter Jesus, but with full diaries and many responsibilities, knowing how to respond – or where to begin – can feel uncertain. That’s why we’ve created the It’s Time to Act guide.
It’s a simple, encouraging resource designed to help churches take thoughtful, realistic steps towards revealing Jesus to the next generation. Rather than offering big programmes or quick fixes, the guide focuses on what’s possible now – small, achievable actions that can grow over time. Inside, you’ll find practical ideas shaped by real church life that work alongside busy schedules and varied contexts. So, whether your church is just beginning to explore this opportunity, or already taking steps, the guide aims to meet you where you are and help you discern what comes next.
Our hope is that It’s Time to Act feels less like another initiative, and more like an invitation – to notice where God is already at work, and to take a next step, one step at a time.
If you’d like to explore the guide and see whether it could support your church, you can order a copy here.
