Money – The Blessed Overcomer

Today’s a new day! On this Wednesday of Holy Week, we remember how one of Jesus disciples Judas Iscariot betrayed Him. The same Judas who had walked with Jesus and the other disciples and who Jesus loved. How could Judas betray Jesus? Let’s take a closer look.

Ultimately It was Judas’ choice to betray Jesus, but it wasn’t just one bad choice, it was a series of bad decisions. The first decision was to confer with the chief priests. The second was agreeing to their terms. And then he had to intentionally seek an opportunity to betray Jesus.

But isn’t that how life works? One bad decision, can lead to another bad decision and before we know it, we become someone we do not recognize.

Let me stop before I end up writing a different post and let’s continue unpacking Judas betrayal of Jesus.

What did Judas get out of this betrayal? Thirty pieces of silver. In Biblical times, that was equivalent to four months wages. It was the exact price paid to a master if his slave died by an ox (Exodus 21:32). That’s all the chief priest, the elders and Judas considered Jesus to be worth. Thirty pieces of silver. While it was not an insignificant amount, it certainly wasn’t a get rich quick scheme. But did Judas really do it for the money?

As I have studied Judas betrayal of Jesus, I came across some interesting opinions. Many scholars and historians believe Judas became disenchanted when Jesus didn’t prove to be the political leader he had hoped. Judas was caught up in the narrative of overthrowing the Roman Empire. Other scholars and historians believe that the Jewish authorities viewed a rebellion as potentially dangerous for the Jewish people. Could Judas have handed Jesus over in order to prevent a larger rebellion?

While we may never completely understand Judas’ motives, we know he regretted his actions. Fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy, he gave the silver to the temple and later hung himself in the field they purchased with the blood money. The guilt and regret was too much for Judas to handle.

While it’s easy to sit around and vilify Judas, remember, Judas isn’t responsible for Christ’s death. It was our sins that held Jesus on that cross. We are all guilty of condemning Jesus to death. I hope Judas’ shocking betrayal will remind us to question our own motives and consider where our loyalties lie. Just because someone is in ministry or serving others does not mean they love Jesus. If someone who followed Jesus so closely could turn his back on him, we must guard our hearts and minds from loving the things of this world more than we love Jesus. Popularity. Money. Political Ideology. Religious Denominations. Nothing should come before Jesus.

And let us not forget, after agreeing to betray Jesus, Judas returned to Jesus to partake in the Last Supper and have his feet washed by Jesus. Just waiting for the perfect moment to hand Jesus over in the ultimate betrayal.

So on this Spy Wednesday, let us remember how quickly things can change when we take our eyes off of Jesus and put them on the material things of this world. ~OC

Today’s a new day! Imagine your 18 year old daughter is a college freshman and all the sudden her life is blown up by a viscous, nasty and false rumor. To all my dads out there, how would you react if Mary Kate Cornett was your daughter?

That is the real life nightmare a father, his daughter and their family are currently living out at Ole Miss University because of some immature men (if you want to call them men), who have sports talk shows decided to run with a story without checking any facts, evidence or getting some clarification regarding this horrific situation. All because they have a national tv/radio show. One of these sad individuals is a leading figure at ESPN.

One of the many sad things about this case as I read the articles and responses, is how so many men and some women are defending not the victim in this case, but the childish men who decided to spread this hate without ever checking to see if was true. I am purposely not mentioning the tv/radio host involved in this case because the focus should be on the victim, not the perpetrators of this hate.

Why is it that some men feel like it’s okay to degrade a woman without even blinking an eye? I grew up playing sports and spent plenty of time in locker rooms. Some of the conversations were not PG or even PG-13. But guess what? Most of the boys grew up and became men who realized those conversations were juvenile and disrespectful. Sadly, some boys never learned that lesson and continue to treat women and anyone they feel is less than like second class citizens. And what’s even worse is that major corporations like ESPN give them millions of dollars and a license to continue acting like middle school boys.

I have been praying for Miss Cornett and her family. Her parents and grandfather have been harassed by a group of people emboldened by the talk show/radio host they listen to daily. Miss Cornett and her family are thinking about bringing a lawsuit against all the immature boys and the companies they work for. I say, go for it! Hold them and the companies they work for accountable for the pain and suffering they have caused you.

Maybe, just maybe these boys will grow up someday. None of the individuals who helped spread these rumors have even apologized to this young lady or her family. No, they keep raking in the ratings and the money while Miss Cornett has to hideout and take her classes online for safety concerns. I will ask again, men what if Miss Cornett was your daughter? ~OC

Tag: Money

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