Matthew 27:3-4 ASV

in the first sentence, it is pretty evident that judas probably thought they were going to lock jesus up, not kill him. and then he is filled with remorse, and more or less repents. the leading priests and elders... stop and think about that. think about who you know that could be called that in your congregation. the leading priests and elders expected him to sin, they were part of it, but were able to keep enough distance that they felt separate from it. i wonder how many 'leading priests and elders' have people within their congregation and sphere of influence that they are expecting to sin in certain ways, and as they repent, they think, "what do i care? that's your problem."

so who owns the problems? i know that i've done this as far as not believing that the person is going to change. i've decided in my head that it is their problem and ignored the breaking in my heart that i have been there and God wanting to heal them.

how much life change has been halted on the decisions in our heads? how much new-life embrace could be had with careful attention given to the breaking of our hearts for others?

i guess the answer is too much.