Thirty Pieces of Silver

 

            Have you ever been betrayed?  I have, and I know it’s not a pleasant experience.  When you do life with someone, trust them, totally befriend them, and then have them do something with no regard for how it will affect you or your future, it arouses all kinds of emotions.  There is the initial disbelief that soon boils over into anger and finally, there is the hurt.  It’s almost like a physical wound to think that someone you cared about could be so cruel. 

            If you can relate, then you are in good company because our Savior was also betrayed and perhaps the worst part is that He knew from the beginning that Judas would ultimately turn his back on Him.  Still, Christ brought him into His inner circle, did life with him for three years, and even put him in charge of the finances, all the while knowing what the result would be. 

            We don’t know for sure what Judas’ motive was for the betrayal.  Of course, there were thirty pieces of silver but that wasn’t a lot of money, and the Pharisees were so desperate, he could have probably gotten a lot more if he had asked.  Some think it may have been revenge for Jesus’ rebuke when Judas questioned the anointing of Jesus with the expensive perfume.  Others think that since he was an outsider, the only disciple from Judea, he never felt like he belonged.

            I think, and mind you I’m no Bible scholar, that he, like most of Jesus’ followers, was looking for an earthly kingdom.  He hated the Romans and wanted to speed up Jesus’ conquest.  I think he thought by turning Jesus over to the Pharisees, he would put in motion Jesus’ revolt against the Roman government and usher in Jesus’ kingdom.  Perhaps the painful result was what lead him to remorse and suicide.

            I think Judas may have been a lot like us.  He wanted what he wanted (the overthrow of Rome) and he wanted it now!  He wanted Christ to act on his terms so he was willing to make that happen in any way that he could.  If it meant making a few bucks at the same time, so be it.

            Have you ever wanted something so badly that you were willing to throw caution to the wind?  Judas would have been much better off if he had just sat down with Christ and had a conversation about Jesus’ plans.  Instead, he decided to do things his own way.  I’ve done the same thing, and if you are honest, you probably have as well. 

            Learning to wait on the Lord’s timing and trying to understand that God’s plan is not the same as ours are two of the most difficult lessons we will ever learn.  It’s likely that we will be learning and relearning those lessons most of our lives.

The next time you want something, before you act on your own, stop.  Take time to be quiet before God.  Pour out your desire and then sit quietly waiting before Him.  The answer may not come quickly but it will come.  Don’t sell out for thirty pieces of silver. Trust Him.  His plans are always better than ours!

Proverbs 19: 21