Posts Tagged ‘blood money’

Scripture reading for February 11th: Matthew 26:69-27:14, Psalm 31, Proverbs 8:33-36

In our passage for today we have the personal stories of two of Jesus’ close disciples.  Peter had denied Jesus three times, even calling down curses on himself!  Just hours earlier, Jesus had predicted that Peter would do that.  (Matthew 26:33-35)  Peter had faithfully sworn that he was willing to die with Jesus rather than deny Him.  He failed miserably.  (Matthew 26:74-75)  Judas was the treasurer of the band of disciples.  He had betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and had brought the soldiers and religious leaders to the Garden of Gethsemane, kissing Jesus to identify Him.

Jesus knew beforehand about how each of these men would react during His appointment with Passover.  He was compassionate toward both of them, but knew how they would ultimately respond.  Some people struggle with how Judas was left to kill himself and Peter was ultimately restored.  They feel that God is somehow unfair.  We must understand why our personal response to God must be real repentance and not just remorse!

Judas walked with Jesus for over three years.  He was treasurer of the group and Scripture records that he was a thief, often stealing from the bag for his personal needs.  He betrayed Jesus for the thirty pieces of silver.  At the final Passover meal, Jesus announced that one at the table would betray Him.  Judas asked if it was him and Jesus identified him as the one who would betray him.  (Matthew 26:20-25)  He did betray Him and when He saw that Jesus was condemned, Judas was filled with remorse and threw the money back into the temple.  He then went out and hanged himself.

Both Peter and Judas were disciples who followed Jesus and experienced the miracles and great teaching.  Both failed the Lord, along with all their fellow disciples.  Peter wept bitterly over his denials but found true repentance and restoration, going on to become one of the great leaders of the early church.  Judas was full of remorse, but failed to trust God for forgiveness and restoration.  He instead took his punishment into his own hands and committed suicide.  Remorse and repentance sound similar, but are very different.  Remorse is only sorrow over sin, often just sorrow over being found out.  Repentance is sorrow that produces a change in behavior and attitude. (2nd Corinthians 7:8-11)  One leads to hell, the other to heaven!

Scripture reading for May 15th: Esther 3-4

The beautiful new Queen is now faced with a dilemma.  A plot to kill off all Jews is going on in the palace and her husband, the King, has signed the edict.  Her uncle Mordecai is fasting and has found a way to warn her and appeal to her for mercy.  How will she ever help her people?  God’s favor is desperately needed!

Haman was angry that Mordecai would not show him honor by bowing to him.  In his anger, he plotted to kill Mordecai and all of the Jews, people he deemed disrespectful and worthy only of elimination.  The king gave his approval of the plan to destroy the Jews.  A day was picked by casting lots and the day was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month!  (Esther 3:7)  A decree was drawn up and plans were made.  Haman would contribute about 120 million dollars in silver to pay for this operation!

This plan was what Mordecai had shared with Queen Esther.  She asked Mordecai and her people to fast for three days.   God’s favor would be needed before she sought an audience with the King.  She knew the possibility of death awaited her if the King was having a bad day or felt threatened by her approach.  She was willing to die on behalf of saving her people.  (Esther 4:15-16)

As we look at this interesting dilemma, we see how Satan hates the people of God.  He is always looking to kill, steal, or destroy them.  (John 10:10)  God’s people are in a spiritual battle that requires spiritual weapons.  We rely on prayer and fasting.  Fasting causes us to be humbled before God and God sees our humble spirit and gives grace.  Prayer asks God to do what we can’t do ourselves.  We are dependent on Him for favor, direction and protection.  As Esther began this process, she became willing to even give her own life to try to spare her people.  This act of humble submission and willing sacrifice would bring God’s grace to her people in a unique way.

Take time today to check out your spiritual weapons.  Are you resisting the Devil and alert to his plans to kill, steal or destroy you?  Give thanks to the Lord for sending Jesus Christ as His willing sacrifice for our sins in order to save us from hell and death!