Judas

Judas came before a tree
Hoping it would set him free.
He had not drawn an easy breath
Since hearing of Jesus' coming death,
And the remorse that grew inside
Was more than Judas could abide.

He reflected how the priests turned away
When he attempted to return his pay.
At that moment he knew his disgrace
Would always show upon his face.
He'd flung the silver across the floor
Before disappearing out the temple door.

He vividly recalled what his Lord had said
Concerning eternity, alive or dead,
And he felt beyond all certainty
How he would spend eternity,
For when he took a traitor's pay,
He had sold his own life away.

Now here he stood before a tree,
Knowing it could not set him free,
But he had to do it anyway,
For he could not face the light of day.
Later he was found hanging there,
His face contorted in despair.

What he never really seemed to know
Was all he had to do was go
Repent before the cross at Calvary,
And his Lord would have set him free.
For what Jesus was about to do
Would have been for Judas too.

©George J. Luther