Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him. Matthew 26:14-16
What kind of person would willingly betray a close friend? Even worse, a close friend who had proven He was from God and righteous in all His ways; a friend whose every word and action was for their good. What was his price — his currency — his temptation — to do such harm?
Money….money was his temptation. It’s what every thief wants and Judas, Jesus’ betrayer, was a thief to the core; a thief who listened to the desire of his heart to seek the right opportunity for monetary gain, not too concerned at that very moment whom he would hurt in the process nor truly considering and understanding the lasting consequences. What a selfish, wretched man!
But I, Heather, am selfish and wretched too. I have a price. I have a currency. I have temptations. And when the right opportunity comes along (which sometimes I have sought myself) I have chosen to act on my desire and betray the saving grace of my Lord Jesus. Not only once but numerous times. More than I would ever like to admit. No, I don’t ever see myself betraying a close friend in the exact same sense that Judas did, but I have my own price that entices me to my sins that put a righteous Man upon a cross to redeem my shamefully weak soul. What a selfish, wretched person I am!
Aren’t we all?
Prayer:
Merciful Father, how I can look at Judas and shake my head in disgust of what he did. It was a horrible, selfish, wretched act to betray Jesus as he did. Never could I imagine that I would do such a thing. And I may never, but I have my own betrayals to account for. I have betrayed Your saving grace by willfully acting against Your commands even when I knew so well not to. I have been selfish in carrying out my desires to the neglect of Your love. I am shamefully weak at times and I ask that You will have mercy on my wretched soul. I trust that You forgive me in my repentance. I am so grateful I have this day to partake and renew my spirit in the memorial for the righteous Man who has been betrayed by all of mankind yet loves His creation unto His own death. Amen.
Truth in love,
Heather
Truth in Love 