Matthew 26:14–16 (ESV) — 14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
NOTE: The thirty pieces of silver probably represent 120 days of earnings. On a $75 thousand salary, that would be $25 thousand to betray a man. We are not given the motive for his betrayal, although the money would seem to be part of his reasoning. Later, in guilt, he would throw the money down at the feet of the religious leaders, blood money as it will be called. It was not put back in the offerings, but used to buy a field where Judas committed suicide. It's possible Judas was expecting a different type of Messiah and was becoming disenchanted with Jesus. Maybe he was trying to force Jesus' hand, since at least one person tried to fight with a sword before Jesus stopped him. We don't know, but we do know it was prophesied. Jesus was betrayed by a friend, someone in his inner circle. And so he experienced a very peculiar human emotion, the betrayal by a person close to him. Those events hurt greatly.
PONDER:
- What do we sell ourselves for, that is, where do we compromise our values for our personal gain, thereby betraying our Lord?
PRAYER: Father, forgive us for our salvation. Protect us from the lure of the world and things. May we truly make you the first love of our life.
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