Selling Eternal Life for 30 Pieces of Silver

THURSDAY

It’s not whether we aim to please. It’s who we aim to please.

Better not fall asleep. Because it’s hard to aim — it’s impossible to please the living God — with eyes closed.

On Thursday, a woman (perhaps Mary, sister of Martha) poured a very expensive bottle of oil over Jesus’ head. This act of generosity and meaning assigned great value to Jesus. At the same time, it exposed the hearts of others who did not or could not appreciate his true worth.

Judas Iscariot did not value Jesus as he should. In fact, he could not. And his reaction ended in betrayal.

Judas aimed to please the chief priests by delivering Jesus to them for a bounty. In return, Judas would please himself with 30 pieces of silver.

Judas intended to betray Jesus.

But what was Peter’s excuse?

Jesus prayed, in the sorrow of impending death, that it might be God’s will for the cup to pass. Meanwhile, his disciples were napping.

Peter, could you not stay awake for one hour? Temptation is coming, brother. “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Peter’s words assigned great value to Jesus. But Peter’s actions betrayed his heart, which valued his own life over his faithfulness to Jesus.

Judas wanted money. Peter wanted some shuteye and safe distance.

Jesus gave them a new covenant of life and love in his body and blood.

They gave him the cold shoulder and a death sentence.

But Jesus was not there to please his disciples with protection and reassurance.

He was there because the Kingdom of God was at hand.

And his rule and reign would not come without betrayal.

A betrayal that would set apart the Son of Man. A betrayal that could and would draw a line in the sand of forever.

A betrayal that would bear fruit for eternal life — a victory for a people who could never win it themselves.

THURSDAY