Holy Week: Wednesday
“What’s The Price?”

Judas. We know his infamous role in betraying Jesus and escalating the events that follow his betrayal. Judas experienced and witnessed Jesus’ teachings and traveled exclusively with him and the other eleven disciples. So why did he do it? Why did Judas allow evil to creep into his soul and betray Jesus? Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.” (Luke 22:3-6 NIV)

Many “big feelings” are expressed in the Scriptures during Holy Week. For example, Jesus becomes angry and flips tables, the high priests and elders are seething for a way to plot death, the Twelve are dismayed and annoyed that a woman would “waste” a bottle of expensive perfume by pouring it on Jesus’ head, and there is the lingering prediction that Jesus shares before they even enter Jerusalem. Jesus tells his Twelve, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life.” (Matthew 20: 17-19 NIV) This isn’t the first time that Jesus has predicted his death. It would be hard to imagine hearing this prediction would be easy for the Twelve to fully grasp and understand.

So why did Judas do it? We will most likely never know the definite answer. However, we know that evil entered in and corroded his morals, beliefs, and love for Jesus.

Is there an area in your life where you have allowed the price of (you fill in the blank: greed, resentment, doubt) to disillusion a relationship, expectation, or value? We can learn from Judas that his decision was regretful but not fixable. He knew what he did was wrong, and there was no turning back. Today, you have an opportunity, a gift, to hand it all over to our Heavenly Father.

Prayer

But you, O Lord, have mercy on me. Help me to identify the areas in my life where I’ve allowed the price of greed, resentment, or doubt to take over what is precious, valued, and loved. If there is an area in me today, remove it. I can rejoice in knowing that the enemy will not triumph over me. You uphold me and set me in your presence forever. (Portions of Psalm 41)