Matthew 26:14-16 - Judas' Betrayal
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Reflection:
Today we have the sad story of the betrayal of Jesus by one of his own, Judas. Note though the chief priests were looking for a way to justly accuse Jesus and arrest him, they had nothing on him. To betray someone is an inside job. To betray someone assumes some level of trust before the betrayal. Jesus, of course, knew what was in his heart, but yet affords him the same treatment as the rest of the disciples.
Note this story comes right after Jesus' anointing by Mary. Just as He is anointed as true King, his own disciple is looking for a way to betray him. Notice the chief priests don't come to Judas but he comes to them. And it appears he is willing to take whatever they will give him for the price. The thirty pieces of silver is not a lot of money. It was the price paid for a slave in Exodus. Jeremiah mentions it as the price he sells himself for. For Zechariah it is the amount he receives for his labor and throws it to the potter as an assessment of his worth. Whatever the exact reference the 30 silver coins refers to, it is a great irony that the Son of God would be betrayed at any price, let alone the price of a slave. Paul uses a similar word when he says that Jesus be became a bond-servant/slave (doulas) and willingly gave up His rights as God.
So while it is easy to focus on what an act of treachery and folly Judas has committed, it begs the question at what price are we willing to sell Jesus? Since we still deal with our own sinful nature, which means to be turned inward, there will be a temptation for all us to use Jesus for our own ends. Some call Judas' decision, a deal with the devil. And we know our enemy looks for opportunity to incite betrayal in us.
So what is the antidote to the propensity we have to cheapen what Jesus did for us and our relationship to Him? As we abide in Him, we will see His worth both as our Savior and friend. As we stay near and abide in Him, he actually protects us from our own sinful nature. When we meditate on the inestimable price Jesus has paid on our behalf, and what it means for us both now and forever we can stay grounded and dependent on him for forgiveness of our sin. But for now let us be aware of how we might cheapen who He is and what He is worth! May our lives speak of what Jesus is truly worth! Amen.
14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Reflection:
Today we have the sad story of the betrayal of Jesus by one of his own, Judas. Note though the chief priests were looking for a way to justly accuse Jesus and arrest him, they had nothing on him. To betray someone is an inside job. To betray someone assumes some level of trust before the betrayal. Jesus, of course, knew what was in his heart, but yet affords him the same treatment as the rest of the disciples.
Note this story comes right after Jesus' anointing by Mary. Just as He is anointed as true King, his own disciple is looking for a way to betray him. Notice the chief priests don't come to Judas but he comes to them. And it appears he is willing to take whatever they will give him for the price. The thirty pieces of silver is not a lot of money. It was the price paid for a slave in Exodus. Jeremiah mentions it as the price he sells himself for. For Zechariah it is the amount he receives for his labor and throws it to the potter as an assessment of his worth. Whatever the exact reference the 30 silver coins refers to, it is a great irony that the Son of God would be betrayed at any price, let alone the price of a slave. Paul uses a similar word when he says that Jesus be became a bond-servant/slave (doulas) and willingly gave up His rights as God.
So while it is easy to focus on what an act of treachery and folly Judas has committed, it begs the question at what price are we willing to sell Jesus? Since we still deal with our own sinful nature, which means to be turned inward, there will be a temptation for all us to use Jesus for our own ends. Some call Judas' decision, a deal with the devil. And we know our enemy looks for opportunity to incite betrayal in us.
So what is the antidote to the propensity we have to cheapen what Jesus did for us and our relationship to Him? As we abide in Him, we will see His worth both as our Savior and friend. As we stay near and abide in Him, he actually protects us from our own sinful nature. When we meditate on the inestimable price Jesus has paid on our behalf, and what it means for us both now and forever we can stay grounded and dependent on him for forgiveness of our sin. But for now let us be aware of how we might cheapen who He is and what He is worth! May our lives speak of what Jesus is truly worth! Amen.
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