SCRIPTURE:
14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 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. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Matthew 26:14-16
OBSERVATION:
In the late 90s, Mastercard launched their iconic “priceless” campaign. These 30-second commercials would all follow the same format: three items described by their respective prices followed by one item that was “priceless”––something so cherished that its value cannot be determined. Focusing on the fact that “there are some things money can’t buy,” this ad campaign went viral because it emphasized that you can’t put a price on relationship, sentimentality, and personal value.
When it comes to Jesus, one would think that He’s “priceless.” However, as Judas shows us in Matthew 26, one can indeed put a price on Jesus––and that price that is placed on Him is always much less than He is worth. And what was this price Judas placed on Jesus? 30 pieces of silver. Do you know how much that is in today’s money? $500. That’s it. But as shocking as this number itself may seem, it’s not the size of this value that’s terrible––it’s what this value represents. For what was also priced at 30 pieces of silver? The most basic slave. Judas sold the Savior for the price of a slave.
APPLICATION:
Isn’t it so appalling that Judas would sell out His Savior for the price of a slave? Three years of work, of ministry, and of friendship all sold for a couple hundred bucks! Can you even imagine how he could do that?!
Actually, you can. How? Because you’ve done it yourself.
Have you ever traded worshipping God for personal convenience? Perhaps you’ve preferred approval by man rather than obedience to God. Maybe you’ve even used Jesus for your personal gain. Choosing to sin even though you knew it was wrong, denying knowing Jesus to gain social acceptance, following Christ only when it benefits you––the list goes on and on. Sadly, our flesh often tempts us to sell Jesus short, making Him our slave rather than our Savior. And when we take an honest look at ourselves, we come to realize that we’re more like Judas than we’d like to admit.
But beyond Judas selling Jesus for the price of a slave, do you know what the most outrageous part of this whole story is? It’s that Jesus still loved Him. And what’s more? He still died for Him. And He still died for you too.
As it says in 1 John 2:2, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” When He was nailed to the cross, He saw you. He knew every sin you’d commit, every time you would stab Him in the back, and every time you’d sell Him short like Judas, and yet even so, He still died for you. This is the God we get to follow. This is the God we get to serve. This is the God we get to give our lives to. And if our relationship with Him is not priceless, then I don’t know what else could be.
Jesus is priceless. Do you treat Him that way? Today, choose to value Him not as your slave, but as your Savior. Cherish Him, honor Him, and value Him so much so that trying to put a price on Him would be an impossible feat. And rather than sell Him short, value Him for all He’s worth––for He is one thing in this life, and throughout eternity, that money should never buy.
PRAYER:
Jesus,
You are priceless. Your goodness knows no measure. Your worthiness has no bounds. You are my all in all. I repent for the times I have treated you like Judas, I ask You for Your forgiveness, and I thank You for Your outrageous grace. What a privilege it is to follow You. I love You, Lord. Thank You for dying for me, for forgiving me, and for loving me.
In Your name I pray,
Amen
