Wednesday of Holy Week

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.
Matthew 26:14-16 NKJV

Most young people dread it. They see it as the end to what they believe is their carefree time of life. In terms of where I was on the timeline of my life, "the Big 3-0" was the worst birthday I ever had. And yet, Jesus' ministry didn't start until He reached the Big 3-0. Interesting...

And three-and-a-half short, yet power-packed years later, Jesus hits a different Big 3-0. It is the Wednesday of Holy Week, and the day that Judas sought to betray Jesus. One translation reads Judas "covenanted with" the priests for thirty pieces of silver. I found that to be very interesting given that the only way out of a covenant was death. Thirty pieces of silver. The price of about a month's wages, according to some. The price of betrayal, according to ALL.

Most of us have been betrayed at one time or another. It's especially hurtful when it's a family member or trusted friend AND it usually comes as a great shock to us. Wouldn't you agree? However, Jesus - who knew Judas would be His betrayer - knelt before Judas and washed his feet and sat at the dinner table with him and shared a meal. Loving in anticipation of it. Loving in the execution of it. Love poured out to cover the multitude of sins, if we’ll choose it.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for Your plan of salvation. Thank You for the redemption from our sin-soaked lives. Cause us to be ever mindful that apart from Your grace and mercy, we don't have a prayer. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen