RE Verse reading–Mark 14:10-11, 17-21, 41-50 (day six)
“Then Judas Iscariot. . .went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased and promised to give him money.” (vs 10-11) Matthew adds a sad detail to the Judas story. He ASKED for money. It was HIS IDEA–not something the Sanhedrin offered. “What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?” (Matthew 26:15) Makes it worse for me, somehow. Colder. More heartless. What do I take in trade for Christ? What do I ask/seek from an unbelieving world, knowing that the purchase price will be the “first love” that legitimately belongs only to Jesus? “Everyone has his price” says the old cynicism. “Still as of old, man by himself is priced; for thirty pieces, Judas sold himself, not Christ.” “Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of the wicked.” (Psalm 37:16) Keep us pure, Lord. Only yours. Not for sale.
