4-16-2025

Good Morning All,

     Luke 22:4; “He (Judas) went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.”

    Today is Wednesday of Holy Week. We have no specific records of Jesus’ movements or actions for Wednesday but there is much going on. Tuesday, after what may have been the most intense day of Jesus’ teachings and interactions with the Jewish leaders, Jesus withdraws to Bethany. We can speculate about Jesus. He was undoubtedly praying, comforting, and encouraging his followers.

    The Jewish Council is probably pretty active. Jesus had finally pushed them beyond their tolerance level. The plans to get rid of Jesus went from hypothetical to earnest practice. And the devil helped. Luke 22:3 says that “Satan entered Judas’ heart.” He went and offered to help them by betraying Jesus to them. So, the plot was made, the cost decided, and the game was afoot. Judas would kiss Jesus, that was the sign, and the cost was 30 pieces of silver.

    30 pieces of silver. No exactly a princely sum, in fact, it was the cost of a slave. It would represent about four months’ worth of wages for an ordinary man. A decent sum, but enough to betray Jesus? Apparently, it was enough to attract Judas, but why? That has been a question asked for ages. Why did Judas do it? Some imply simple greed and maybe retaliation for a slight from Jesus. The Gospel writers always note that Judas was the holder of the money bag, suggesting that he helped himself. It was Judas who commented that the perfume used to anoint Jesus’ feet could have been sold and given to the poor. Jesus told him to “leave her alone.” Maybe he had delusions of grandeur and was trying to force Jesus to act forcefully. We don’t know a lot about what was going on in Judas’ head, but we know what was in his heart and that was Satan.

    It is the same today. What drives people to do certain things? We can look for many causes, but the underlying truth is that Satan has entered their hearts. When Satan enters your heart, your heart (your desires) becomes selfish, arrogant, and made without love. Why did he cheat on the test? Why did she cheat on her husband? Why did they abandon their faith? Why are some people so cruel? Satan entered their heart. It began when Adam and Eve listened to Satan and not to God. It is the same today, who do you listen to, Satan or God?

    “I listen to God, until it doesn’t make sense to me.” “I listen to God until it gets too hard.” “I listen to God until it gets inconvenient.” In truth, we do not listen to God in these situations, we listen to Satan. Yet, just like Jesus knew Judas’ heart and invited him back, Jesus knows your heart and invites you to return to Him. To repent and to know his grace and mercy. To return to the Lord.

    Jesus died for us so that we would not have to pay the price of listening to Satan. Jesus paid it and we reap the benefit. So, hear God’s invitation to return to the Lord and know his peace.

Heavenly Father, you call us home through your loving grace and the mercy of Jesus. Keep us ever mindful of your great patience. Humble our hearts so that we may serve you willingly and in compassion to our fellow man. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret