Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
What’s in it for me? That is a common question asked by people when asked to do something. In our economy, we are paid for services rendered so this question makes sense in that context. Leave it to Judas to get it wrong. He followed Jesus but failed to do a cost/benefit analysis as Jesus instructed in Luke 14. He saw things going south for his chosen political figure and jumped ship for 30 pieces of silver. He failed to take into account the benefit of eternity of riches with the King. His cost/benefit analysis said that Jesus would not defeat Rome but missed the promise that he would defeat sin and death.
What a pity that so many Christians do not sit down and count the cost of discipleship. It is a hard life and at the first sign of trouble, they will scatter like the disciples did at the arrest of Jesus. They forget Jesus’ words that he who loses his life will save it and lose it trying to save it. May we remember the benefits afforded us in our walk with him. It will make it easier to carry the cross knowing Jesus did that for us and secured eternal life as our retirement benefit. You cannot be turned down.
Dear Lord, thank you for the plan you made for us. Help us to count the cost and carry our cross with gratitude for your mercy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church