Under the control of evil

Reading the latter part of the gospels, it's interesting to note the way in which Judas Iscariot immediately felt a massive sense of remorse after his betrayal, and hanged himself. And this was even before Jesus was sentenced to death by Pilate. He didn't even witness the full consequence of his actions. His guilt and shame was very strong, real and immediate.

It makes you think – why did he suddenly feel this now and not earlier? If his remorse was so immediate and strong, you would think there was enough sense in him not to do it in the first place.

But in Luke 22 Satan himself enters Judas. Satan used him, and it seems he simply discarded Judas when finished, who then returns to a more natural state of mind.

Through the sin that Judas accommodated in his life he came under the control of evil. Sin itself is partnering with Satan, participating in his work, giving a foothold of control to our number one enemy. We should loath and despise this on every level.

Judas of course kills himself, refusing to face and live through the guilt. This seems like yet another act of defiance. I wonder – if he was repentant, faced his sin, faced his guilt, would he have lived to see Jesus rise from death?