The Death and Resurrection of the KingSample

Loving money above Jesus

“Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver Him over to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.” (Matthew 26:14-15)

Yesterday, we read that Jesus’ disciples objected to Him being anointed with expensive oil. They considered this a waste of money! But Jesus corrected them by saying the woman had done “a beautiful thing”.

This was too much for one of Jesus’ closest followers, named Judas Iscariot. He had charge of the money, and used to help himself to what was put into it. Like many of Jesus’ followers, Judas had hoped to gain from his relationship with Jesus. When Jesus would become king, Judas would surely get a good position, too! But Jesus was only talking about being delivered up to be crucified and being buried. That’s not what Judas had hoped for! He was not interested in Jesus anymore if there would be no profit from their friendship. Instead, he decided to deliver Jesus over to His enemies and get some silver coins for the job.

Judas loved money over Jesus. He betrayed the Man he had been following for years. But the money he got did not make him happy. Shortly later, when he realized what he had done, he brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders and hanged himself (Matthew 27:5).

Judas’ greed for money brought him nothing but misery. Which role does money play in your life?