Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. 

Matt. 26:14-16 (ESV)

It is the most egregious betrayal of all time. Judas, one of the most trusted followers of rabbi Jesus, the Son of God, sells off his Master to the religious establishment who will do whatever it takes to kill him. The betrayal is bad enough. However, a closer look at one detail just adds injury to insult: the thirty pieces of silver.

At first blush readers may not think much about it, but Jewish readers probably would have picked up on the significance rather quickly. In Exodus 21:32, God spoke the following law through Moses. “If the ox gores a slave, male or female, the owner shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.” Do you see it? Under Mosaic Law, the restitution rate for a slave was thirty pieces of silver. Judas betrayed the King of Kings, the Son of God, for the price of an ordinary slave! I have to believe the priests were smiling as they though to themselves, “We’re getting great deal here!” As for Judas, he was so blinded by his greed that he was willing to give up an invaluable relationship to satisfy a temporary craving. And what did he get for it? Grief, regret, depression, and suicide. What was a great deal for the priests cost Judas everything.

It is easy for us to wag our heads and shake fingers at Judas. He is, in many ways, the ultimate villain. Yet, maybe Judas’ tale should also serve as a warning for you and me in those times we consider turning our backs on Jesus. Those times when sin is beckoning to us to give in and sell out. The computer in the bedroom. The TV show when no one else is home. The bar night when you are traveling. Lying to avoid getting in trouble or having a necessary confrontation. The list could go on.

When we give in to such temptations, we are more like Judas than we might want to admit. We betray our loyalty to Jesus for Satan’s “dark money.” Think of what it says about our view of Christ. That he is less valuable than what? A few minutes of satisfaction? How long will that pleasure last you before you need to find something else? Furthermore, in these moments we are so blinded by our desire that we jeopardize that which is priceless. Is your pleasure worth your marriage? Is the lie worth losing your trustworthiness? Is the betrayal worth endangering your relationship with Christ? In such times, I have to believe the Devil is looking on with a wicked grin, thinking, “Boy, I’m getting a great deal here!” What costs Satan so little could cost us everything.

Jesus calls us to absolute loyalty, but our weak flesh puts that to the test regularly. Every day we must choose to stay true to him or betray him. To choose betrayal always costs something, but that deal is never as good as it seems in the moment. However, remaining at the side of the Master is always worth the cost. The end is grace, fulfillment, and eternal life. And that is a great deal!

Cory Waddell