July 8, 2018

What’s Your Price?

And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. – Luke 22:4-5

What would you do for the promise of money or power? Don’t deny that it would ever happen. Most people have a price, the amount of money or the level of prestige, that would cause them to betray those closest to them.

Judas had a price. It was 30 pieces of silver, roughly about $600. Looking back, we see that Judas betrayed the Messiah. We understand that it was planned from the beginning. God had made a way to reconcile us to Him. Judas’ actions fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.

But step back for a moment and consider this: Judas betrayed his friend. He handed Jesus over for money. He ignored the three years he had traveled with Jesus and sat at the table with Him. He shoved aside the miracles and the memories. He did it all for money.

So, let me ask you again: What’s your price? Who will you betray for a nice promotion at work? What will you take credit for to get a bonus? How many times will you tell yourself “it’s just business” as you do what you know you shouldn’t in order to elevate your worldly goods and status?

Maybe it’s more about money than position for you. Will you lie to bring in more money? Will you cheat someone? Will you take advantage of someone who trusts you? What’s your price? How much is your family worth? Your friends? Your coworkers?

Many years ago there was a big scandal involving the son of a famous actor. A “friend” sold her story to a television tabloid. She took advantage of his tragedy to put money in her own pocket and give her those 15 minutes of fame she craved. I wonder how much it cost her?

She and I had a mutual friend. He promptly ended the friendship. Who wants to be around someone you can’t trust? I don’t know if anyone else did the same but I suspect that they did. Yes, she got money and fleeting fame. But she lost a great deal too.

Do we ever count the cost? Did Judas understand what those 30 pieces of silver would cost him? He attempted to return the silver. He realized he had betrayed an innocent man and now that man, Jesus, would be crucified. Judas paid with his life, though we don’t know whether it was from hanging (Matthew 27:5) or from a fall (Luke says this in Acts 1:18). Shame for a betrayal that could never be undone.

We like to get lofty when talking about what we will or won’t do. We pretend all is well until the day comes and we are faced with a choice: Do what is right or do what will benefit you financially. The world is littered with people who did all they could to benefit themselves only to have their evil plans derailed. And the world is littered with their victims.

Satan knows each person’s sweet spot. He knows just what it will take to lead you down a path you thought you were above. Never get so cocky as to think he doesn’t know your price. And never get so arrogant to think you won’t fall to temptation. Everyone has a price. What’s yours?

February 11, 2018

Ignore the Hypocrites

“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” – Matthew 23:2-3

She was upset. Someone had lied to her. He’d told her two different things and she was so disappointed in him.

He is a man who quotes the Bible with great proficiency. He can offer up beautiful prayers that draw you in. He can make you believe he is on a different level of faith, one you’ll probably never achieve.

Except it’s all an illusion. It really hurts to learn that lesson. It happens when we think some people are greater than we are in the kingdom of God. They will let us down every time. They are only people, just like you and me.

I have known this man my entire life. I have seen the hypocrisy play out again and again. Those closest to him have no respect left for him. There have been too many lies, too much skirting of the law, too many comments about those “he” has saved.

Because you see it’s not about Jesus with him. Maybe once upon a time it was. I don’t know. But in my adult years every comment, every outreach, every thing he has done, has been to bring glory to himself. I have a problem with that. Our lives are to be spent glorifying God, not the other way around.

He can certainly quote the Bible. He’s spent hours memorizing its words. But he doesn’t seem to think those words apply to his life. He explains it all away. He speaks with authority. Few people bother to search the Scriptures for themselves. Few dare to challenge someone who can throw God’s word back at them.

The Pharisees were like that. They were scholars and teachers of the law. They knew exactly what the Scriptures said. Yet they missed the most important part. They missed Jesus.

They didn’t see it that way. They were just so proud of themselves and all their rules. They knew exactly what to say. And who to condemn. And they understood that Jesus was a threat to them. Why? Because He came to tell the truth, to show the way, to love on people where they were and offer mercy and kindness.

The Pharisees liked their power. They basked in the respect of their positions. They wanted to continue to look down on people and lift themselves up. But that was never the way it was supposed to be in the kingdom of God.

Don’t let anyone cause you to feel inferior as you learn and grow in Christ. Don’t lift anyone up onto a pedestal and believe that their faith is somehow greater or their prayers were powerful than your own.

God looks at the heart. When you don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. You are just as valuable to God as anyone else.

And when someone starts talking about how “he” has saved souls, run in the opposite direction. When someone tries to throw Scripture in your face, remind them that God reveals Himself to all who seek Him. It’s not about memorization. It’s about growing more like Christ with each passing day.

God loves you. Don’t worry about the hypocrites. Spend your days trying to live so that others can see Him in your life. Love the LORD your God with all your heart. Then love others as yourself.