Betraying Jesus for Temporary Gains: A Modern-Day Judas?
Matt.26:15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
What is your price for Jesus? Here, Judas sold Jesus to the lowest bidder! He didn’t even name his price; he simply asked, “What will ye give me?” Perhaps he had a minimum in his mind, but was feeling them out to see what they would pay, but regardless, here’s the point; Judas sold Jesus out for temporary monetary gain. This makes me think of all those today that are still doing the same thing. From the pulpit to the pew to the general population, people still have their price they’ll take for Jesus. I trust that you are not one of them, but the sad reality is, they are all around us. I mentioned the pulpit, because there are those in positions of authority in our so-called churches today who are willing to compromise every truth Jesus stood for, simply to please the people and pad the purse. When this happens, Christ is no less betrayed than if He were back in the garden with Judas. I mentioned the pew, because of many today that would rather have a motivational speaker than a gospel preacher. Don’t get me wrong; both have their place, but the Bible prophesied of the day in which we live where men heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. They turn their ears away from the truth, and are turned rather unto fables. In essence, they betray Christ by their lack of interest in His person and message of the cross. I also mentioned the general population, because Christ said Himself that men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. These, too, betray Christ by rejecting the light of His glorious gospel. And though all these are true, perhaps the more subtle way in which we betray Him is when we neglect to keep His commandments. Did He not say, “If ye love me, keep my commandments!”? I understand that we all make mistakes; that’s not what I’m dealing with. I’m dealing with the times in which we deliberately ignore the teachings of Christ for the conveniences that are afforded us for doing so. May it be our prayer today that we search our souls, and make sure that we are not betraying our Lord in our thoughts, words, or actions. My Jesus is not for sale! How about you?
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
What is your price for Jesus? Here, Judas sold Jesus to the lowest bidder! He didn’t even name his price; he simply asked, “What will ye give me?” Perhaps he had a minimum in his mind, but was feeling them out to see what they would pay, but regardless, here’s the point; Judas sold Jesus out for temporary monetary gain. This makes me think of all those today that are still doing the same thing. From the pulpit to the pew to the general population, people still have their price they’ll take for Jesus. I trust that you are not one of them, but the sad reality is, they are all around us. I mentioned the pulpit, because there are those in positions of authority in our so-called churches today who are willing to compromise every truth Jesus stood for, simply to please the people and pad the purse. When this happens, Christ is no less betrayed than if He were back in the garden with Judas. I mentioned the pew, because of many today that would rather have a motivational speaker than a gospel preacher. Don’t get me wrong; both have their place, but the Bible prophesied of the day in which we live where men heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. They turn their ears away from the truth, and are turned rather unto fables. In essence, they betray Christ by their lack of interest in His person and message of the cross. I also mentioned the general population, because Christ said Himself that men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. These, too, betray Christ by rejecting the light of His glorious gospel. And though all these are true, perhaps the more subtle way in which we betray Him is when we neglect to keep His commandments. Did He not say, “If ye love me, keep my commandments!”? I understand that we all make mistakes; that’s not what I’m dealing with. I’m dealing with the times in which we deliberately ignore the teachings of Christ for the conveniences that are afforded us for doing so. May it be our prayer today that we search our souls, and make sure that we are not betraying our Lord in our thoughts, words, or actions. My Jesus is not for sale! How about you?
~ Pastor Gary Caudill