By Linda Johnson
What is Jesus worth to you? Thirty pieces of silver? That was the price Judas settled on. But, really, how much is
Judas like us? No one in this day and age would do such a thing. Right?
It is a fact that Judas was one of the twelve apostles. He was with Jesus as one of his confidants for three years. He held the trusted position of treasurer of the group. He was an eyewitness to all that Jesus did those three years--the healings, the parables, the sermons, etc. So, what happened?
I suppose the trouble began when Judas didn’t think Jesus was living up to his (Judas’s) expectations. After all, this was the promised Savior. Wasn’t he supposed to smite the enemies of Israel and set up a new kingdom? John the Baptist had been preaching that the Messiah was coming. Everyone was aware of it including Judas. It’s all in Matthew 3. The closing verses identify Jesus as the Son of God after he’s baptized. So, Judas was sure this was the one. At least in the beginning, he did.
But after three years of a ‘do-nothing’ savior, Judas was up to his eyeballs in doubt. This was not a happy apostle. He was mad and wasn’t going to take it anymore. So, he went to the Pharisees who were also waiting for the Messiah and made a deal. They hit on a price which was equivalent to two or three months’ wages as a laborer--thirty pieces of silver. That was Judas’ idea of a fair price to lead the Pharisees to Jesus.
Of course the ending of the story for Judas is tragic. His life is over. There are two accounts of his death. The one in Matthew says he hung himself and the other in Acts says he went headlong to his death and split open in the middle.
What happened to this eager young man who was thrilled to be counted as one of The Twelve? Where did the downward spiral begin? It began with doubt. Remember Jesus had said to them, “O ye of little faith…” (Matthew 16:8) The opposite of faith is doubt and Judas got a giant case of it. The perpetrator of doubt is Satan. It’s the wedge he uses to keep whittling away at people. It’s what drove the wedge between Jesus and Judas. Judas realized too late what had taken place. Satan kept driving that wedge until Judas sold the ‘streets of gold’ for a few pieces of silver.
Is Satan still with us today? What a silly question. He’s everywhere and more and more folks are falling for his old tricks. He is a thief and will steal your soul and make you think you’re getting a good deal. Beware of this old adversary who is “…seeking whom he may devour.” (I Peter 5:8)
Van Kelly from Camp Joy will be with us on Sunday, May 29, to give a presentation. This is the same day as our 5th Sunday Feed. It’s a potluck dinner after the morning service. It’s a chance to come and hear about Camp Joy and get a good meal in the process. Also, we’re planning our Independence Day Celebration. It’ll be on July 9th and Bob Hammond and Wildwood are our guest entertainment. The evening will be include fireworks, music, food, homemade ice cream and lots of fun.
Our pastor preaches a radio program on KKOZ 92.1 FM at 8:05 a.m. Sunday mornings. Or, better yet, come and hear Brother Josh live. Sweden Church is east of Ava about 10 miles and turn onto 219 then ¼ mile. Sunday school starts at 10:00. Services are at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Midweek service is Thursday at 7:00.
What is Jesus worth to you? Thirty pieces of silver? That was the price Judas settled on. But, really, how much is
Judas like us? No one in this day and age would do such a thing. Right?
It is a fact that Judas was one of the twelve apostles. He was with Jesus as one of his confidants for three years. He held the trusted position of treasurer of the group. He was an eyewitness to all that Jesus did those three years--the healings, the parables, the sermons, etc. So, what happened?
I suppose the trouble began when Judas didn’t think Jesus was living up to his (Judas’s) expectations. After all, this was the promised Savior. Wasn’t he supposed to smite the enemies of Israel and set up a new kingdom? John the Baptist had been preaching that the Messiah was coming. Everyone was aware of it including Judas. It’s all in Matthew 3. The closing verses identify Jesus as the Son of God after he’s baptized. So, Judas was sure this was the one. At least in the beginning, he did.
But after three years of a ‘do-nothing’ savior, Judas was up to his eyeballs in doubt. This was not a happy apostle. He was mad and wasn’t going to take it anymore. So, he went to the Pharisees who were also waiting for the Messiah and made a deal. They hit on a price which was equivalent to two or three months’ wages as a laborer--thirty pieces of silver. That was Judas’ idea of a fair price to lead the Pharisees to Jesus.
Of course the ending of the story for Judas is tragic. His life is over. There are two accounts of his death. The one in Matthew says he hung himself and the other in Acts says he went headlong to his death and split open in the middle.
What happened to this eager young man who was thrilled to be counted as one of The Twelve? Where did the downward spiral begin? It began with doubt. Remember Jesus had said to them, “O ye of little faith…” (Matthew 16:8) The opposite of faith is doubt and Judas got a giant case of it. The perpetrator of doubt is Satan. It’s the wedge he uses to keep whittling away at people. It’s what drove the wedge between Jesus and Judas. Judas realized too late what had taken place. Satan kept driving that wedge until Judas sold the ‘streets of gold’ for a few pieces of silver.
Is Satan still with us today? What a silly question. He’s everywhere and more and more folks are falling for his old tricks. He is a thief and will steal your soul and make you think you’re getting a good deal. Beware of this old adversary who is “…seeking whom he may devour.” (I Peter 5:8)
Van Kelly from Camp Joy will be with us on Sunday, May 29, to give a presentation. This is the same day as our 5th Sunday Feed. It’s a potluck dinner after the morning service. It’s a chance to come and hear about Camp Joy and get a good meal in the process. Also, we’re planning our Independence Day Celebration. It’ll be on July 9th and Bob Hammond and Wildwood are our guest entertainment. The evening will be include fireworks, music, food, homemade ice cream and lots of fun.
Our pastor preaches a radio program on KKOZ 92.1 FM at 8:05 a.m. Sunday mornings. Or, better yet, come and hear Brother Josh live. Sweden Church is east of Ava about 10 miles and turn onto 219 then ¼ mile. Sunday school starts at 10:00. Services are at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Midweek service is Thursday at 7:00.
