Scripture
Our verse for today comes from Matthew 27:3, ” Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. “
Background
Have you ever been able to have your cake and eat it, too? It’s that rare occasion when everything seems to be turning your way. You catch a break on the front side and still get some extra benefits on the back side. It’s so uncommon that we usually make mention of it only when someone seems to have reached for too much and come up short. Like Judas. He must have thought he had landed the mother lode of cakes when the chief priests agreed to pay him thirty pieces of silver just to turn Jesus over to them. After all, following Jesus wasn’t what you’d call a Fortune 500 proposition. He certainly spoke to some large crowds, but they weren’t exactly paying gigs. And Judas seemed to have an eye for the bottom line. So when he thought of the idea to betray Jesus, it must have seemed like the perfect crime. He could collect from the coffers of the chief priests to help make up for the past three years of minimal income, and ultimately see Jesus beat all the charges and continue in His ministry. For Judas knew very well that Jesus was innocent of anything He would be charged for, regardless of the false witnesses or multiple interrogations. Perhaps He would be detained for a while or suffer through a mild beating. But when everything was over, things would be back to normal, and he would have his bank account filled up nicely.
Application
But something went wrong. Instead of Jesus rejoining His men and Judas buying them all a nice dinner to celebrate, Jesus was condemned and sentenced to death. It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way, not according to Judas. Barabbas was the guilty one. He was the one that was supposed to die. But that wasn’t the cake being served. God wasn’t following Judas’ script. And when the end came, the sweet cake became a bitter pill, and Judas had to swallow it. But what seemed like unjust condemnation turned into the greatest of victories. Judas’ kiss sealed only his own death. The grave couldn’t seal Jesus, and for that we’ll eat the precious cake of forgiveness for all eternity.
Charge
As we seek Him today, ask God to enable you to endure what seems to be going all wrong. Ask Him for the faith to trust His perfect plan.
Rich Holt / Originally Published on : BCWorldview.org
Also published on : Medium.com.
