On Sunday, Michael Rankins gave us a lesson about Judas Iscariot, “He Watched for an Opportunity.” Taken from Matthew 25:6-16 and from John 12:1-8, this was about Judas’ journey, and why he is all o...
On Sunday, Michael Rankins gave us a lesson about Judas Iscariot, “He Watched for an Opportunity.” Taken from Matthew 25:6-16 and from John 12:1-8, this was about Judas’ journey, and why he is all of us.
In the week before his death, Jesus and his disciples visited the home of Simon the leper. As they rested, a woman came and poured expensive oil on Jesus. As we learn in John’s version, Judas complained loudly that this oil could have been sold to benefit the poor. Jesus responds in John 12:7-8, "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
Jesus’ response inspired Judas to ask the chief priests, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” He accepted their price of 30 pieces of silver. By now, we have learned the truth; Judas was the keeper of the money and regularly helped himself to it. He was upset that he missed the opportunity to profit from the oil himself but we don’t really know why that was enough to betray Jesus.
Judas, a disciple, had been given miraculous power. Like Jesus, he could heal the sick. Moreover, he had the supreme honor of being close to, and spending time with, the Son of God. And yet, that wasn’t enough. What a powerful example of ingratitude in action!
Finally, in Matthew 27:3-5, when Judas realized that Jesus would be condemned to death because of his actions, he was overcome with remorse. He gave the 30 pieces of silver back, and left to hang himself.
In Matthew 16:24-27, Jesus poignantly describes the price of a soul: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”
Thirty pieces was Judas’ price. Michael asked each of us to consider, what is MY price?
Do I place my desires before the will of the Lord?
Do I complain when God's plans conflict with mine?
Do I "watch for an opportunity" to get what I want, no matter the consequences?
Am I willing to sell my soul cheaply to reap worldly rewards?
Let gratitude empower our actions, not greed or personal glory. We are here to do good in His name.
What has God placed in your hand? Use it this week gratefully to serve, to love, and to uplift others.
view more