Tuesday February 15, 2022

Today is Tuesday, February 15 and this week we are exploring what the Bible says about counting the costs.

As I enter a time of solitude with God, I slow my breathing and silence a constant stream of distracting thoughts. I endeavor to focus my whole being upon God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Precious Lord, you are always with me even though I am often unaware of your abiding presence. Teach me how to pray, to not only speak but also to listen. Show me what it means to count the costs of living a life of deeper discipleship and service in your kingdom. Amen.

I seek the most high God and call on him with the words of Psalm 50.

Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. Psalm 50:14-15

Pause and Pray

Jesus was betrayed by one of his own disciples. Judas goes to the chief priests to inquire how much money they will give him for his treachery. The motive for betrayal according to Matthew is greed. The exact sum agreed upon is thirty pieces of silver. In the bible, thirty pieces of silver is the value placed on a slave (Exodus 21:32) and the wage of a shepherd (Zechariah 11:12). Joseph’s brothers deceived him and sold him into slavery for less money – twenty pieces of silver (Genesis 37:28). After the money is counted out, Judas looks for his opportunity. He joins Jesus and the other disciples at the Passover meal, has his dirty feet washed by his master, dips his hand into the bowl with the others and hears Jesus’ words of institution, “This is my blood of the covenant poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. Matthew 26:14-16,47-50

It is difficult to imagine an act of betrayal so heinous, to deceive your companions, forsake a friend, deliver him over to the enemy who will arrest him and condemn him to death. I search my heart and life to consider what I have in common with the betrayer, Judas Iscariot. Surely there is nothing, or is there? Times when I have betrayed my convictions, denied my faith, deceived a friend, lied to a family member, misled a colleague, double-crossed a neighbor, spread false rumors, maligned a reputation, nursed a grudge. Perhaps I have broken a promise, gone back on my word, told the white lie, or been dishonest. When was I tempted to be disloyal, untrustworthy or unfaithful? What are my thirty pieces of silver? What is the thing that I want to put first? Before Jesus, before honesty, before goodness, before righteousness? What is the opportunity for which I watch? Judas arranged a signal with the chief priests to betray Jesus. A kiss. The kiss of betrayal. Jesus calls him friend. He says, “Do what you came for, friend.”

Ask: Have I been blind to my own “kiss of betrayal”? Have I counted the costs of disobedience, rebellion and sin?

Pause and Pray

Jesus, you call me friend, yet I have not always been a loving friend to you and others. Lord, expose my sin to me, reveal my blind spots and open my eyes to the reality of betrayal in the spiritual life. Show me when I have valued other things above you and your will. Forgive me, precious Lord. I pray through the power of the Holy Spirit I will be sanctified and restored. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. Matthew 26:14-16,47-50

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

One by one I hear them counted out, thirty pieces of silver, one, two, three . . . thirty. The sum cost of deception, dishonesty and betrayal. The wages of sin. The reward for treachery. I consider the emotions this passage evokes in me – disgust, disbelief, confusion, guilt, shame, or sorrow. I consider the sins of my past. This passage encourages me to learn and mature from past mistakes. I consider the circumstances of my present. How do the words of this passage inform my current situation? I consider what lies ahead in my future. What might God want to warn me about? Thirty pieces of silver may look appealing, yet they are to be rejected and avoided. Count the costs. I repeat the word of phrase that stands out to me and consider how God might want me to change my attitude or behavior.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord, I invite you into the circumstances of my life. Reveal temptation and weakness, remind me of honesty and truth, restore my conviction and resolve, expose what is of true value and false. Before I make any decisions, guide me to count the costs of my actions. May I guard carefully what has been entrusted to me and fulfill my responsibilities to you and others. Amen.

When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Matthew 27:3-5

As I leave this time of prayer I count the costs of sin and seek to live a life of love and honesty with God and others.

Amen.