What can the world offer in exchange for an intimate personal relationship with God? Our first response is probably a resounding—NOTHING! But not so fast; think about it for a minute; this bartering occurs more often than most realize. For instance, do we deprive ourselves of getting closer to God for the things and pleasures of this world? Judas did—for thirty pieces of silver.
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 (Matthew 26:14-15, NIV).
For us today, thirty pieces of silver can be interpreted as:
- The time we aren’t willing to sacrifice to learn and know God better. (Phil. 3:7-8,10)
- The wants we aren’t willing to forgo to be obedient to the Word. (Galatians 5:19-21)
- The vengeance we aren’t willing to release for God to handle. (Romans 12:19)
- The people we aren’t willing to love. (Matthew 5:43-45)
- The pride we aren’t willing to surrender for humility. (Proverbs 29:23)
- The faithfulness we aren’t willing to abide by during difficult times. (2 Timothy 4:7)
- The lies we aren’t willing to disclose for truth. (Proverbs 12:22)
When Judas realized what he had done to Jesus, he gave the silver coins back to the chief priest and elders, saying: I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. Then, Judas cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, departed, and hanged himself. (See Matthew 27:3-5.)
Thirty pieces of silver enticed Judas—what amount will tempt us?
© 2022
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