The price of betrayal

Matthew 26:14-16 NLT

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests [15] and asked, "How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?" And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. [16] From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

This week, the week building up to Good Friday, is known as Holy Week.

Yet it includes the very unholy actions of Judas.

After he'd watched that lovely lady anoint Jesus with expensive perfume - an act of extravagant worship - it triggered a malignant mercenary reaction in Judas' heart.

He was the treasurer of the group and we're told he liked to dip his hand into the funds from time to time.

John 12:4-8

Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, even then getting ready to betray him, said, “Why wasn’t this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces.” He said this not because he cared two cents about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of their common funds, but also embezzled them.

The price of Judas' betrayal of Jesus was about 4 months average wages back then! That was the price he put on giving up Jesus!

Money and material things can easily grab a hold of the heart, even a close disciple of Jesus.

Judas had spent so much time listening, watching and sharing with Jesus.

For three years he'd been in constant touch with our Saviour and yet his heart was still full of greed and selfishness.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:21

He was still motivated by greed for monetary gain.

Judas had the exact opposite response to Jesus that Zacchaeus had.

Zacchaeus had amassed vast wealth from cheating the public inflating the Roman taxes, keeping much for himself. But he ended up realising the emptiness of riches.

As soon as he met Jesus, he gave back what he'd stolen and more.

We shouldn't be surprised when we discover famous preachers being exposed as making vast wealth from the funds donated by their congregations.

The same "Judas spirit" still stalks the earth, waiting to pounce and cause us to betray Jesus.

What "price" would be the price of betrayal in my life?

May God grant me the strength to stand strong against any spiritual greed that would cause me to hurt and betray my precious Saviour.

Mark 8:36-37 NLT

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? [37] Is anything worth more than your soul?