There are no songs till springtime comes

Image from early fifth century A.D. British Museum, London. Death of Judas, Crucifixion of Christ

While reading the passages in Luke's gospel about the events leading up to Jesus's crucifixion, I keep wondering what happened to Judas. The scriptures tell us that after Satan entered Judas, he went to the chief priests and officers of the temple guard to discuss how he could betray Jesus. (Lk 22: 3-5) During the account of the last supper which follows, Jesus says "woe to that man who betrays him." (luke 22:22). Woe indeed. After the betrayal, Judas realizes that he has set a horrible chain of events in motion. I doubt he was really thinking Jesus would be crucified. He tries to undo the deed by returning the money, throwing it on the floor of the temple when the priests wouldn't take it. He is decribed as having and untimely death after that, possibly by hanging himself, but elsewhere in scripture, that he fell headlong into a field and his bowels gushed out. My guess is that he took his own life by hanging in complete utter despair. Some commentators suggest that if he hung himself, that the hot sun would have caused rapid decomposition of the body and by the time it was found, it could have been messy getting it into the field. I add that to provide an explanation of why several accounts exist for his death. None of the disciples seemed moved to restore him, forgive him at the time, they were busy dealing with their own emotions of grief, sadness and horror over the betrayal and death of their beloved Rabbi. Judas could not forgive himself. He was held in disdain by the religious council. Isolation, Woe, Death.

What happened to Judas? He had become corrupt, one secret deception led to another until the ultimate act of betrayal leaving him woeful, wretched. "Woe to that man who betrays me", Jesus says. How often do we betray the Savior by our thoughts, words and deeds? How wretched are we until we move to make it right? Confess your faults to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed (James 5:16) My Lenten prayer: May we walk in covenant with one another as disciples, confessing and praying for one another for healing, wholeness.

There Are No Songs: by Michael Kelly Blanchard

There are no songs till Springtime comes.
No melodies for voice.
There are no tunes till death has stung
That Easter might rejoice.
There are no words to bring you back,
From your frozen winter's will.
There is no hope the ice will crack,
Till Jesus melts the chill.

For some you say. Perhaps, many ...yes.
But surely not for me.
For I have run from the very best,
How can there mercy be?

Come home, come home my ramblin' child.
Let down your ragged sail.
And steer your heart to the oceans wild,
Where the breath of God prevails.
It's not too late to turn around,
And catch the tender breeze.
That blows you to the holy ground,
You find beneath your knees.

For when has soul, been bound to time,
Or heart too cold to melt.
Or forgiveness too lost to find,
When regret is truly felt.

There's mercy, mercy my little ones.
Mercy without bounds.
For all who simply turn and come
And lay their burden down.
For there's nothing that you've ever done,
That My love can not change.
Unless you choose to finally run,
Away with pride and pain.

(Reprise)
There are no words to bring you back,
From your frozen winter's chill.
There is no hope the ice will crack,
Till Jesus melts your will.