As Jesus is predicting his own death and pre-teaching his disciples about what is to come, I think as a reader some 2,000 years later, we miss some of the shock and irony of it all. We are too familiar with the story, perhaps.
This particular time of reading through Matthews account of what was happening over that Passover weekend, I realized that while I knew Judas had made a decision to sell Jesus out for 30 silver coins, I didn’t have any idea of how much value 30 silver coins held in that particular time. Did you know that scholars believe that the coins would be valued at about 5 weeks worth of wages – or around $600 in purchasing value.
Can we just let that sink in for a moment? The Son of God was betrayed for $600. This was not a life changing amount of money – potentially setting Judas up for life! This was not compensation for the three years Judas had left whatever life he had prior to Jesus and then following him. This was pittance.
And so I ask myself: What does it take for me to betray the Son of God? Of course I am not referring to the actual betrayal that leads to a mock trial and another crucifixion – but what does it take for me to betray him? Merely seeking acceptance with non-believers? A desire to exercise my free will and do what I want instead of what I know God would want for me? Promotion or financial gain? A desire to make everyone happy and promote that every belief and religion or cultural act is ok?
What does it take for me to betray Him? The silver coins did permanently change Judas life. In horror and sorrow, after the act was done, Judas no longer wanted the 30 coins. Yet the trajectory of God’s plan had already been set into motion and would not be thwarted. So Judas, overcome with what he had done to the Son of God, ended his own life.
Friends, may we ever be discerning enough, wise enough, and walk closely enough with Jesus that we cease to betray Him!
And, may we never forget that the crucifixion, as horrible as it was, was a part of God’s plan for redeeming you and I from our sin. Jesus chose to die on the cross. He chose to follow through, knowing that by His choice we would be saved, but without it, we would perish. Jesus chose to save us at a cost to himself.
In Jesus’ own words, out of Matthew 26:53-54 “Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would sent them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”
Oh may we never take for granted the sacrifice! May we never belittle or devalue the gift! The cost to betray Jesus wasn’t 30 pieces of silver. It cost him his life, betrayal from all his earthly friends, a separation from the Father, the weight of the sins of the world (for all time) upon his shoulders. The cost was high, but the payoff greater!
Thank you, Jesus, for paying the cost of crucifixion!
Blessings!