"Where Sorrow Leads"
Matthew 26:69-27:14
Today a peaceful monastery in Jerusalem's southern valley offers no clue to the horrific atrocities that occurred near there in the days of Judah's kings. In Jesus' day, the city dump lay in this gorge. Some suggest that fires continually burned trash, and so Jesus used the smoldering landfill as an illustration of hell's eternal flames.
One has to wonder if this is the reason Judas's desperate regret led him to this ravine known as the Hinnom Valley. For here, according to tradition, the guilt-ridden betrayer of Christ hung himself and then fell headlong, spilling his innards. Hence, the residents later named the place "Hakeldama" or "Field of Blood" (see Acts 1:18-19). On that same day, Peter committed a sin just as wrong as Judas did, and yet Peter's regret just resulted in a good cry (and a changed life). What made the difference?
Like these two disciples, as we come face to face with the raw truth of our carnal hearts, our guilt will lead us in one of two directions. As Paul wrote, "For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death" (2 Corinthians 7:10). While Judas's sorrow led him to a needless, desperate act--bowing to sin's penalty--Peter's sorrow led him to grace...to seeking sin's remedy.
God intends the pangs of shame to lead us away from our guilt and toward his grace. For although sin leads us down into the Hinnom Valley, Jesus offers us the path back out--up to Calvary. With our sins forgiven, we then have no reason to feel shame but every reason to embrace the new life Jesus offers.
Traditional location of the Valley of Hinnom
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