“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. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’ ‘What is that to us?’ they replied, ‘That’s your responsibility.’” Matthew 27:3-4 NIV
Judas betrayed Jesus and now begins to feel remorseful and quite likely regrets his decision in doing so. While in this state, Judas went as far as approaching repentance, yet it was not to salvation. He confesses his sin, but he did not confess his sin to God. The end result of this confession was that the chief priests and elders could not do anything for Judas; they cared little for him and could do nothing for his conscience and feelings of remorse.
Knowing and believing in Christ is not enough, just as confessing our sins to a priest or elder is also not enough for salvation. May our convictions bring us to a point where we humbly approach Christ, confessing our sins to the One who paid the price for them.
Lock Your Wings 
“Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!””
Matthew 27:24 NLT
The reading that is always part of the Easter chapel at my school includes this portion of scripture. It says isn’t it ironic that Pilate washes his hands and yet he is always remembered as a coward for not standing up for what he (and his wife!) believed was right. We can’t merely wash our hands and claim innocence. We need to acknowledge our role in our mistakes and to stand for what we believe.
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