1 00:00:01,180 --> 00:00:04,559 Speaker 1: Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, 2 00:00:05,180 --> 00:00:09,740 Speaker 1: to receive the glory, the honor, and the power. For 3 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:17,480 Speaker 1: you created all things. Romans 4.11 Dear Lord, I declare 4 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:20,430 Speaker 1: today that you are worthy of any praise I can give. 5 00:00:21,890 --> 00:00:24,990 Speaker 1: I could live a thousand lifetimes and still never be 6 00:00:25,030 --> 00:00:29,530 Speaker 1: able to provide you with the honor you deserve. All 7 00:00:29,670 --> 00:00:33,750 Speaker 1: I have is all I am. And all I am 8 00:00:34,110 --> 00:00:38,050 Speaker 1: is all I have to give to you. Help me 9 00:00:38,090 --> 00:00:42,930 Speaker 1: to give up my pride, time, and resources for your kingdom. 10 00:00:44,930 --> 00:00:47,129 Speaker 1: I know you can do far more with what I 11 00:00:47,210 --> 00:00:54,250 Speaker 1: give than I could do myself. I offer myself to you, Lord. 12 00:00:56,030 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, Amen. Thank you for joining me in 13 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:09,919 Speaker 1: prayer today. Stories from the gospel unfolding in a way 14 00:01:09,980 --> 00:01:13,800 Speaker 1: that's never been told before. Stay with us to explore 15 00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:18,520 Speaker 1: the depths of Christ's story and find inspiration in every episode. 16 00:01:38,030 --> 00:01:41,770 Speaker 1: The moon's silvery beams slithered through the cracks in the 17 00:01:41,810 --> 00:01:48,650 Speaker 1: cloud covering. The air was wet and frigid, signaling an 18 00:01:48,710 --> 00:01:54,500 Speaker 1: incoming storm. Shrouded in night's cover was the temple court. 19 00:01:56,020 --> 00:01:59,400 Speaker 1: The courtyard outside still had broken pieces of heavy stone 20 00:01:59,460 --> 00:02:04,880 Speaker 1: tables lying on the floor. Down the polished halls of 21 00:02:04,900 --> 00:02:09,639 Speaker 1: the temple was the Hall of Polished Stones, the dwelling 22 00:02:09,700 --> 00:02:15,340 Speaker 1: and governing place for the high priest and Sanhedrin. Torches 23 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:19,800 Speaker 1: mounted on each corner of the court illuminated the grimaces 24 00:02:20,340 --> 00:02:26,150 Speaker 1: of the Pharisees and priests. They sat at a round table, 25 00:02:27,169 --> 00:02:31,550 Speaker 1: conspiring against the one who claimed to be the Son 26 00:02:31,750 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 1: of God. Caiaphas, the high priest, presided over them. with 27 00:02:38,060 --> 00:02:42,360 Speaker 1: his hands folded over his mouth. His hatred for the 28 00:02:42,419 --> 00:02:47,190 Speaker 1: carpenter of Nazareth grew hotter by the minute. His rage 29 00:02:47,270 --> 00:02:50,050 Speaker 1: was more faithful than a well-stoked fire. 30 00:02:51,030 --> 00:02:54,410 Speaker 2: We can arrest him in secret, one of them whispered. 31 00:02:54,990 --> 00:02:57,089 Speaker 2: We could kill him before he has a chance to 32 00:02:57,130 --> 00:02:58,030 Speaker 2: gain more followers. 33 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:01,079 Speaker 1: Kaifus rolled his eyes and scoffed. 34 00:03:03,020 --> 00:03:05,680 Speaker 3: You're too simple-minded. 35 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:12,720 Speaker 1: He said pretentiously. The torchlight flickered, illuminating the precious stones 36 00:03:12,940 --> 00:03:14,220 Speaker 1: on his priestly breastplate. 37 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:17,200 Speaker 3: The people will know it was us. 38 00:03:17,980 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 2: Besides, we must make an example of him so his 39 00:03:22,980 --> 00:03:28,150 Speaker 2: disciples don't carry on in his place. We must do 40 00:03:28,210 --> 00:03:34,209 Speaker 2: it soundly, but legally. We will go through the Romans 41 00:03:35,010 --> 00:03:40,000 Speaker 2: and have his blood on their hands. One man should 42 00:03:40,140 --> 00:03:44,480 Speaker 2: die so the rest of us might be saved from 43 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:46,540 Speaker 2: Roman recourse. 44 00:03:47,700 --> 00:03:52,839 Speaker 1: They conspired against Jesus under the guise of righteousness. Caiaphas 45 00:03:52,860 --> 00:03:57,280 Speaker 1: had no idea how right he was. One man would 46 00:03:57,320 --> 00:04:01,460 Speaker 1: die to save others, just not anyone he expected. 47 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:08,800 Speaker 4: How much value do you put on Jesus? What is 48 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 4: he worth to you? To some, he's worth everything. He's 49 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:15,440 Speaker 4: worth laying everything on the line. To others, he's worth 50 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:17,640 Speaker 4: a few bucks. The trick for us as followers of 51 00:04:17,690 --> 00:04:20,930 Speaker 4: Jesus is to continually remind our hearts of what his 52 00:04:20,990 --> 00:04:23,570 Speaker 4: life is worth and the great cost it took for 53 00:04:23,630 --> 00:04:27,510 Speaker 4: him to gain access to us. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast, 54 00:04:27,730 --> 00:04:31,790 Speaker 4: dramatic sagas of Jesus' triumph over sin, darkness, and shame. 55 00:04:32,310 --> 00:04:36,130 Speaker 4: I'm Pastor Zach from Pray.com. This week, we are traveling 56 00:04:36,170 --> 00:04:41,540 Speaker 4: down the road to resurrection. highlighting stories leading up to Jesus' death, burial, 57 00:04:41,620 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 4: and resurrection. If you've enjoyed the podcast so far, make 58 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:46,520 Speaker 4: sure to follow and subscribe so you never have to 59 00:04:46,560 --> 00:04:50,360 Speaker 4: miss an episode. Today's story is about betrayal. We will 60 00:04:50,380 --> 00:04:53,120 Speaker 4: follow Judas down the dimly lit hall of polished stones 61 00:04:53,250 --> 00:04:57,890 Speaker 4: where the priests and Pharisees conspire against Jesus. This dramatization 62 00:04:57,950 --> 00:05:00,810 Speaker 4: of Judas' encounter with Caiaphas gives us a glimpse into 63 00:05:00,870 --> 00:05:06,930 Speaker 4: what his heart may have been like during this time. Cold, calloused, calculated. Ultimately, 64 00:05:07,050 --> 00:05:09,929 Speaker 4: we aren't sure exactly what Judas was thinking at the time, 65 00:05:10,410 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 4: but we do know that he opened himself up to corruption. 66 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:15,659 Speaker 4: The same can be true of our hearts if we 67 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:19,820 Speaker 4: aren't careful. Proverbs 4.23 says, Keep your heart with all diligence, 68 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:22,660 Speaker 4: for out of it is the wellspring of life. We 69 00:05:22,720 --> 00:05:27,350 Speaker 4: rarely grow up dreaming to commit evil acts. Sometimes atrocities 70 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:30,630 Speaker 4: and evil are a result of small compromises over time. 71 00:05:30,890 --> 00:05:32,990 Speaker 4: If we aren't careful, we end up doing something that 72 00:05:33,010 --> 00:05:35,900 Speaker 4: we never imagined we'd do. When we aren't diligent in 73 00:05:35,960 --> 00:05:38,940 Speaker 4: tending to our hearts, we slowly open ourselves up to 74 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:43,020 Speaker 4: our evil potential. Weep for Judas, for his story mirrors 75 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:43,600 Speaker 4: our own. 76 00:05:47,290 --> 00:05:52,210 Speaker 1: Meanwhile, outside the city of Jerusalem in Bethany, Jesus reclined 77 00:05:52,250 --> 00:05:56,349 Speaker 1: at the table among friends in the home of Lazarus, Mary, 78 00:05:56,529 --> 00:06:00,630 Speaker 1: and Martha. He and his disciples enjoyed a beautiful respite 79 00:06:00,770 --> 00:06:06,630 Speaker 1: from the barrage of Pharisees, crowds, and curious onlookers. They 80 00:06:06,730 --> 00:06:10,270 Speaker 1: filled their bellies with warm food and their souls with 81 00:06:10,370 --> 00:06:16,380 Speaker 1: pleasant conversation. They would treasure this splendid pocket of peace forever. 82 00:06:17,380 --> 00:06:20,859 Speaker 1: A singular moment of bliss in the center of an 83 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:28,140 Speaker 1: otherwise contentious week. Lazarus was reclining next to him. Martha, 84 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:32,750 Speaker 1: the sister of Lazarus, had finished preparing the meal. The 85 00:06:32,810 --> 00:06:37,920 Speaker 1: table was set, and everyone ate to their heart's content. 86 00:06:38,770 --> 00:06:43,420 Speaker 1: Martha felt the tension in her shoulders slowly release. She 87 00:06:43,460 --> 00:06:45,020 Speaker 1: looked to her master and sighed. 88 00:06:46,220 --> 00:06:48,060 Speaker 2: Should I sit now? 89 00:06:49,180 --> 00:06:53,890 Speaker 1: She asked Jesus with a wry grin. Jesus knew what 90 00:06:53,930 --> 00:06:58,110 Speaker 1: her question was referring to. It had taken Martha quite 91 00:06:58,130 --> 00:07:00,650 Speaker 1: a while to pause and enjoy the fruit of her labors. 92 00:07:02,089 --> 00:07:05,930 Speaker 1: She forced herself to sit down and sang a playful hymn. 93 00:07:07,170 --> 00:07:11,390 Speaker 1: He makes me lie down in green pastures. Martha had 94 00:07:11,430 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 1: learned the art of slowing down to enjoy moments with 95 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:20,780 Speaker 1: her Lord. She basked in his presence, filled with appreciation 96 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:26,700 Speaker 1: and love. Food, wine, and delight enveloped the room like 97 00:07:26,740 --> 00:07:31,810 Speaker 1: a warm blanket. Martha leaned over to Lazarus. 98 00:07:31,590 --> 00:07:33,860 Speaker 5: And asked, Where is Mary? 99 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:37,920 Speaker 6: I would have expected her to be here eating with 100 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:39,680 Speaker 6: our teacher the second he arrived. 101 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:44,380 Speaker 1: Just as Martha inquired about her sister, she appeared from 102 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:49,140 Speaker 1: the corner of the room. Everything was suspended in time 103 00:07:50,060 --> 00:07:54,370 Speaker 1: as Mary entered the room with tears streaming down her cheeks. 104 00:07:55,670 --> 00:07:59,050 Speaker 1: She approached the Lord with reverence, knelt at his feet, 105 00:07:59,850 --> 00:08:00,910 Speaker 1: and greeted her sister. 106 00:08:01,690 --> 00:08:02,410 Speaker 4: Here I am. 107 00:08:03,310 --> 00:08:06,010 Speaker 1: She whispered with the softness of someone saving her voice 108 00:08:06,050 --> 00:08:10,050 Speaker 1: for something else. She tilted her head to her master 109 00:08:10,230 --> 00:08:10,750 Speaker 1: and smiled. 110 00:08:11,630 --> 00:08:13,110 Speaker 6: Hello, Rabboni. 111 00:08:14,290 --> 00:08:19,810 Speaker 1: She greeted Jesus with reverence and awe. Around Mary's neck 112 00:08:20,230 --> 00:08:24,830 Speaker 1: was an alabaster flask. It had no handles and was 113 00:08:24,890 --> 00:08:29,680 Speaker 1: furnished with a long neck sealed at the top. Within 114 00:08:29,720 --> 00:08:36,070 Speaker 1: the flask was precious ointment, spikenard. The flask was her livelihood, 115 00:08:36,950 --> 00:08:41,510 Speaker 1: an investment in our future, and an assurance of her security. 116 00:08:42,750 --> 00:08:47,429 Speaker 1: Mary's value was wrapped up in the flask, which made 117 00:08:47,530 --> 00:08:51,670 Speaker 1: what happened next so disarming to everyone in the room. 118 00:08:54,110 --> 00:08:58,120 Speaker 1: Mary removed the flask from around her neck and broke 119 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:03,220 Speaker 1: the top. The fragrance of spikenard filled the room immediately. 120 00:09:04,790 --> 00:09:10,530 Speaker 1: She carefully tilted the jar over her master's head. Then 121 00:09:10,690 --> 00:09:14,050 Speaker 1: she knelt at his feet and rubbed the oil with 122 00:09:14,090 --> 00:09:19,100 Speaker 1: her hair. Tears streaked down her cheeks and onto his feet. 123 00:09:20,500 --> 00:09:25,140 Speaker 1: She was broken and filled with gratitude for her teacher 124 00:09:25,300 --> 00:09:32,510 Speaker 1: and friend. The entire room was silent, suspended in awe. 125 00:09:33,780 --> 00:09:38,060 Speaker 1: as Mary poured her entire worth onto her master's feet 126 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:44,080 Speaker 1: as an offering. Kneeling on the ground, washing his feet 127 00:09:44,500 --> 00:09:51,569 Speaker 1: with her tears, she expressed true and unabashed worship. However, 128 00:09:51,630 --> 00:09:56,770 Speaker 1: this tender moment of intimate surrender was cut abruptly by 129 00:09:56,809 --> 00:09:59,810 Speaker 1: a voice at the corner of the table. What a waste! 130 00:10:00,570 --> 00:10:01,670 Speaker 1: The voice protested. 131 00:10:02,190 --> 00:10:05,590 Speaker 5: Spagnard is worth at least 300 denarii. 132 00:10:06,090 --> 00:10:10,010 Speaker 1: Everyone looked at Judas, who was dismayed at the squandered 133 00:10:10,090 --> 00:10:14,270 Speaker 1: opportunity for more money. A man who had been silent 134 00:10:14,309 --> 00:10:17,949 Speaker 1: for so long and was content to hang back anonymously 135 00:10:18,890 --> 00:10:24,990 Speaker 1: had finally spoken. His words were a frenetic response, stemming 136 00:10:25,030 --> 00:10:30,220 Speaker 1: from a greedy heart. Judas looked around the room, sensing 137 00:10:30,420 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 1: their displeasure. He composed himself briefly and added. 138 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:37,840 Speaker 5: We could have sold it and given the money to 139 00:10:37,860 --> 00:10:38,380 Speaker 5: the poor. 140 00:10:39,059 --> 00:10:43,350 Speaker 1: Judas flashed an innocent smile, a mask to hide his avarice. 141 00:10:44,470 --> 00:10:48,550 Speaker 1: Mary flashed a shameful gaze up at Judas. He was 142 00:10:48,730 --> 00:10:52,709 Speaker 1: one of the honored twelve. and his disapproval cut like 143 00:10:52,770 --> 00:10:53,689 Speaker 1: a harsh blade. 144 00:10:54,450 --> 00:10:56,050 Speaker 3: I'm sorry. 145 00:10:56,070 --> 00:10:57,770 Speaker 6: I didn't mean to. 146 00:10:58,990 --> 00:11:02,550 Speaker 1: She held back embarrassed tears, looking up at Jesus to 147 00:11:02,630 --> 00:11:07,110 Speaker 1: see if she had done something wrong. I thought I... 148 00:11:08,380 --> 00:11:13,780 Speaker 1: Leave her alone, Jesus interrupted. He knew why Judas protested. 149 00:11:15,190 --> 00:11:19,090 Speaker 1: His conflicted pupil didn't have the slightest concern for the poor. 150 00:11:20,030 --> 00:11:22,439 Speaker 1: His hand had been dipping into their purse for quite 151 00:11:22,500 --> 00:11:25,939 Speaker 1: some time, and he saw a lost opportunity to gain 152 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:31,900 Speaker 1: another coin. Jesus looked down at Mary and placed a 153 00:11:31,960 --> 00:11:33,579 Speaker 1: reassuring hand on her head. 154 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:36,240 Speaker 6: You will always have the poor to tend to, Judas, 155 00:11:36,580 --> 00:11:39,460 Speaker 6: if that's what your heart desires. But you will not 156 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:44,280 Speaker 6: always have me. Consider this spikenard as preparation for my burial. 157 00:11:44,920 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 1: As the words left his lips, he flashed Judas an 158 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 1: intense stare. one that would haunt him until Judas' dying breath. 159 00:11:54,800 --> 00:11:58,950 Speaker 1: It was not a look of spite or disapproval. It 160 00:11:58,990 --> 00:12:03,290 Speaker 1: was a look of pity. For Jesus knew what lay 161 00:12:03,390 --> 00:12:09,550 Speaker 1: within Judas' heart. The tension dissipated as Jesus smiled and 162 00:12:09,610 --> 00:12:14,830 Speaker 1: turned his attention elsewhere. The party resumed, and Judas felt 163 00:12:14,890 --> 00:12:20,109 Speaker 1: himself slipping into a different state of mind. an ancient 164 00:12:20,250 --> 00:12:26,929 Speaker 1: and sinister spirit coiled around his heart. The small, gradual 165 00:12:27,050 --> 00:12:33,309 Speaker 1: compromises of self-indulgence and bitterness gave way to one colossal 166 00:12:33,450 --> 00:12:39,059 Speaker 1: slip into darkness. Judas stood up from the table and 167 00:12:39,140 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 1: slipped out of the house, unseen by everyone except the 168 00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:48,530 Speaker 1: one he was planning to betray. The moon's silvery gleam 169 00:12:48,630 --> 00:12:52,980 Speaker 1: left the temple courtyard, leaving it soaked in complete darkness, 170 00:12:54,580 --> 00:12:58,280 Speaker 1: except for the faint torchlight emanating from the hall of 171 00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:03,740 Speaker 1: polished stones. The cold halls carried muffled whispers of murder. 172 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:09,710 Speaker 1: Caiaphas and the chief priests conspired into the night, desperate 173 00:13:09,770 --> 00:13:14,430 Speaker 1: for a chance to seize Jesus. They argued and deliberated 174 00:13:14,490 --> 00:13:18,429 Speaker 1: for hours. frustrated and flustered about how to get rid 175 00:13:18,470 --> 00:13:24,450 Speaker 1: of him. Jesus had a knack for escaping arrest. They 176 00:13:24,490 --> 00:13:27,689 Speaker 1: needed to know where he would be, alone, away from 177 00:13:27,730 --> 00:13:31,630 Speaker 1: the eyes of the crowds. Their bickering ceased when they 178 00:13:31,670 --> 00:13:34,809 Speaker 1: heard a knock on the door. The temple guards entered 179 00:13:34,870 --> 00:13:37,170 Speaker 1: with a hooded figure standing between them. 180 00:13:37,610 --> 00:13:42,250 Speaker 2: Lord Caiaphas, this man claims to have information about the Nazarene. 181 00:13:43,170 --> 00:13:46,440 Speaker 1: Judas stepped out of the darkness and into the torchlight. 182 00:13:47,940 --> 00:13:48,940 Speaker 1: Caiaphas laughed. 183 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:55,839 Speaker 3: I know you, he sneered. You are one of his 184 00:13:56,460 --> 00:13:58,580 Speaker 3: twelve disciples. 185 00:13:59,160 --> 00:14:02,100 Speaker 1: Judas ignored his laughter and went straight to the point. 186 00:14:02,480 --> 00:14:05,179 Speaker 5: What will you give me if I deliver him to you? 187 00:14:05,700 --> 00:14:10,199 Speaker 1: He said quickly. Caiaphas' smile disappeared. He stood to his feet. 188 00:14:10,650 --> 00:14:13,610 Speaker 1: and circled Judas like a wolf does to its prey. 189 00:14:14,070 --> 00:14:19,350 Speaker 3: Tell me, Judas, what did your master do to you 190 00:14:19,470 --> 00:14:22,640 Speaker 3: to warrant his betrayal? 191 00:14:23,680 --> 00:14:25,980 Speaker 1: Judas clenched his fist and shrugged. 192 00:14:26,560 --> 00:14:29,020 Speaker 3: My reasons are my own. Not good enough! 193 00:14:29,460 --> 00:14:32,020 Speaker 1: Caiaphas yelled, slamming his fist on the table. 194 00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:33,700 Speaker 3: Why should I trust you? 195 00:14:34,850 --> 00:14:39,320 Speaker 1: Judas closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. The 196 00:14:39,340 --> 00:14:44,300 Speaker 1: slithering presence of Satan coiled around his heart, prompting him 197 00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:49,340 Speaker 1: to near madness. Although he had the choice to turn back, 198 00:14:50,370 --> 00:14:54,610 Speaker 1: he felt helpless to do anything else. He opened his 199 00:14:54,770 --> 00:14:59,210 Speaker 1: eyes and rolled his shoulders back. With confidence, he said. 200 00:14:59,670 --> 00:15:03,570 Speaker 5: I have what you want, which is information on the 201 00:15:03,610 --> 00:15:11,050 Speaker 5: whereabouts and weaknesses of Jesus. You have what I want, 202 00:15:12,090 --> 00:15:15,380 Speaker 5: which is silver in my purse. Do you want to 203 00:15:15,410 --> 00:15:17,740 Speaker 5: be partners or not? 204 00:15:18,220 --> 00:15:24,660 Speaker 1: Caiaphas' smile returned. Oh, so you're a simple man, he teased. 205 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:29,600 Speaker 3: Very well. Thirty pieces of silver should be more than 206 00:15:29,660 --> 00:15:31,860 Speaker 3: enough for your services. 207 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:34,740 Speaker 1: He gestured for one of the priests to retrieve the 208 00:15:34,780 --> 00:15:39,140 Speaker 1: money for Judas. They handed him a sack of 30 209 00:15:39,140 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 1: pieces of silver. Judas held it in his hand. The 210 00:15:45,260 --> 00:15:50,720 Speaker 1: bag was heavy. Heavy enough to drag his entire soul 211 00:15:51,940 --> 00:15:52,680 Speaker 1: into darkness. 212 00:15:55,820 --> 00:15:59,480 Speaker 4: You know, it's easy to judge Judas. It's easy to 213 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:02,740 Speaker 4: look at villains in the Bible like Goliath, the Philistines, 214 00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:06,130 Speaker 4: King Saul, and raise our noses at them. We like 215 00:16:06,170 --> 00:16:08,730 Speaker 4: to think that we're more like David, a flawed but 216 00:16:08,790 --> 00:16:11,850 Speaker 4: brave hero, or Peter, an outspoken leader of the church. 217 00:16:12,530 --> 00:16:14,410 Speaker 4: But can I be honest with you for a moment? 218 00:16:14,910 --> 00:16:18,250 Speaker 4: Sometimes I am far more like Goliath than I am David. 219 00:16:18,910 --> 00:16:21,880 Speaker 4: Often I can slip into the patterns of Judas more 220 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:25,700 Speaker 4: than the redemption of Peter. Judas sold Jesus out for 221 00:16:25,700 --> 00:16:28,760 Speaker 4: 30 pieces of silver. At the most, that would be 222 00:16:28,880 --> 00:16:32,900 Speaker 4: between $ 100 and $ 500 today. The Son of God was 223 00:16:32,940 --> 00:16:35,860 Speaker 4: arrested and hung on a cross to die. all for 224 00:16:35,880 --> 00:16:38,420 Speaker 4: a couple hundred bucks. But I want to challenge you 225 00:16:38,490 --> 00:16:41,410 Speaker 4: to reserve your judgment of Judas for a moment. Why? 226 00:16:41,770 --> 00:16:45,790 Speaker 4: Because we've all sold Jesus out for far less than 227 00:16:45,790 --> 00:16:49,810 Speaker 4: 30 pieces of silver. Remember, Jesus died for all of 228 00:16:49,870 --> 00:16:52,770 Speaker 4: our sins, great and small. He died for the lies 229 00:16:52,810 --> 00:16:55,670 Speaker 4: you've told your spouse. He died for the hatred you've 230 00:16:55,690 --> 00:16:58,340 Speaker 4: had for someone who's different than you. He's died for 231 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:00,960 Speaker 4: the moral compromise at work and that moment of weakness 232 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:04,860 Speaker 4: in front of a computer screen. Yep, Jesus died for 233 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:08,210 Speaker 4: all of it. He died not just because Judas was corrupt. 234 00:17:08,630 --> 00:17:12,520 Speaker 4: He died because you and me were sinners in need 235 00:17:12,700 --> 00:17:16,700 Speaker 4: of saving. We'll never fully understand Judas' true motives, but 236 00:17:16,940 --> 00:17:19,320 Speaker 4: we can speculate a little bit. We can find a 237 00:17:19,340 --> 00:17:22,790 Speaker 4: couple clues from Judas' surname, which was Iscariot. The name 238 00:17:22,830 --> 00:17:26,510 Speaker 4: Iscariot may mean that he was from Kerioth, a city 239 00:17:26,550 --> 00:17:29,679 Speaker 4: in southern Judea. This would mean that Judas was the 240 00:17:29,760 --> 00:17:33,220 Speaker 4: only Judean among the other disciples who were all Galileans. 241 00:17:33,580 --> 00:17:37,140 Speaker 4: I won't go into the nitty-gritty details of this geographical difference, 242 00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:39,760 Speaker 4: but some wonder if Judas resented the leadership of all 243 00:17:39,800 --> 00:17:43,680 Speaker 4: these Galilean fishermen among the disciples, and he was, after all, 244 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:46,940 Speaker 4: an educated man from Judea. He should have been ruling 245 00:17:47,040 --> 00:17:49,699 Speaker 4: over all of them. Why was Peter, James, and John 246 00:17:49,740 --> 00:17:52,960 Speaker 4: the most favorite? They were uneducated fishermen, not worthy to 247 00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:56,209 Speaker 4: be followers of the Messiah. Others think that the name 248 00:17:56,250 --> 00:18:00,470 Speaker 4: Iscariot is linked to the word Sicarius, meaning assassin, a 249 00:18:00,510 --> 00:18:04,200 Speaker 4: connection to the Jewish zealots who carried out underground warfare 250 00:18:04,280 --> 00:18:07,600 Speaker 4: against the Roman occupiers. But it also might be that 251 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:11,399 Speaker 4: Judas followed Jesus for selfish motives, expecting to receive a 252 00:18:11,440 --> 00:18:15,100 Speaker 4: position of great status and prestige when Jesus triumphantly came 253 00:18:15,140 --> 00:18:18,330 Speaker 4: into Jerusalem and took the mantle as king. But when 254 00:18:18,390 --> 00:18:20,909 Speaker 4: Jesus came, it was evident that he was not going 255 00:18:20,930 --> 00:18:23,070 Speaker 4: to be the kind of Messiah that Judas and the 256 00:18:23,109 --> 00:18:25,690 Speaker 4: rest of the Jews hoped for. He may have lashed 257 00:18:25,790 --> 00:18:28,470 Speaker 4: out against Jesus and opened this door up to Satan 258 00:18:28,810 --> 00:18:31,820 Speaker 4: out of spite. Jesus didn't give Judas what his selfish 259 00:18:31,840 --> 00:18:35,119 Speaker 4: heart wanted, so Judas felt his ties to Jesus were broken. 260 00:18:35,619 --> 00:18:37,980 Speaker 4: In essence, Judas might as well have said, you betrayed 261 00:18:38,020 --> 00:18:39,979 Speaker 4: me by not being the kind of Messiah I wanted, 262 00:18:40,240 --> 00:18:43,380 Speaker 4: so I'm going to betray you. We don't know for sure, 263 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:46,840 Speaker 4: but the bottom line is this. Judas sought the priest out. 264 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:50,320 Speaker 4: They didn't seek him out. They didn't point Judas out 265 00:18:50,359 --> 00:18:52,640 Speaker 4: and say, hey, that's the man who's going to betray Jesus. 266 00:18:53,100 --> 00:18:55,899 Speaker 4: It says that Judas went to them. That means Satan 267 00:18:55,980 --> 00:18:59,780 Speaker 4: coiled around Judas' heart somehow, and that led to a 268 00:18:59,859 --> 00:19:04,000 Speaker 4: premeditated and intentional act of betrayal. That might mean that 269 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:06,359 Speaker 4: Judas would have done it for less than 30 pieces 270 00:19:06,420 --> 00:19:10,530 Speaker 4: of silver. Our theme for today's episode is value. Specifically, 271 00:19:10,730 --> 00:19:14,070 Speaker 4: how much do we value Jesus? Let's go back to 272 00:19:14,109 --> 00:19:17,210 Speaker 4: the upper room where Jesus is reclined with his disciples. 273 00:19:17,630 --> 00:19:20,209 Speaker 4: Mary comes in and anoints Jesus' head and feet with 274 00:19:20,250 --> 00:19:24,040 Speaker 4: a precious oil, spikenard. For Mary, her value of Jesus 275 00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:27,460 Speaker 4: became evident when she poured out this very expensive thing 276 00:19:27,500 --> 00:19:30,780 Speaker 4: she owned on his head and feet. To her, Jesus 277 00:19:30,840 --> 00:19:33,859 Speaker 4: was worth more than anything she could ever hope to gain. 278 00:19:34,280 --> 00:19:37,100 Speaker 4: The spikenard Mary poured out on Jesus was most likely 279 00:19:37,180 --> 00:19:40,910 Speaker 4: one of her most prized possessions, her life savings. To her, 280 00:19:41,430 --> 00:19:45,330 Speaker 4: Jesus was worth giving it all away. This, in essence, 281 00:19:45,770 --> 00:19:49,270 Speaker 4: is true worship. To worship something or someone gives them 282 00:19:49,490 --> 00:19:53,929 Speaker 4: ultimate value. over every other thing. Mary worshiped Jesus by 283 00:19:54,010 --> 00:19:57,350 Speaker 4: placing a higher value on him than her most prized possession. 284 00:19:57,710 --> 00:19:57,990 Speaker 3: C.S. 285 00:19:58,050 --> 00:20:00,889 Speaker 4: Lewis once said this, The gap between those who worship 286 00:20:00,910 --> 00:20:03,580 Speaker 4: different gods is not so wide as the gap between 287 00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:06,939 Speaker 4: those who worship and those who don't. What we worship 288 00:20:06,980 --> 00:20:11,200 Speaker 4: in this life forms our characters. The moment we grasp 289 00:20:11,240 --> 00:20:14,780 Speaker 4: that Jesus is worth everything, we discover the endless possibilities 290 00:20:14,820 --> 00:20:17,200 Speaker 4: of our faith. In contrast to Mary who put it 291 00:20:17,260 --> 00:20:19,960 Speaker 4: all on the line for Jesus, Judas put his greed, 292 00:20:20,020 --> 00:20:22,860 Speaker 4: his own selfish ambitions, and his desires above his love 293 00:20:22,900 --> 00:20:26,240 Speaker 4: for Jesus. Yet, even though we were still sinners, Christ 294 00:20:26,280 --> 00:20:30,179 Speaker 4: died for us, his goodness prevails over whatever darkness coils 295 00:20:30,220 --> 00:20:33,600 Speaker 4: around our hearts. Let's meditate on his goodness despite our 296 00:20:33,619 --> 00:20:37,280 Speaker 4: brokenness today and ascribe to him the most extraordinary worth 297 00:20:37,340 --> 00:20:40,179 Speaker 4: and value in our lives. Our next episode will be 298 00:20:40,380 --> 00:20:43,140 Speaker 4: a whirlwind, to say the least. We're going to go 299 00:20:43,180 --> 00:20:45,840 Speaker 4: from a quiet meal Jesus shares with his disciples to 300 00:20:45,900 --> 00:20:48,550 Speaker 4: a brutal betrayal and arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. 301 00:20:49,109 --> 00:20:52,629 Speaker 4: Buckle up, because the Jesus Podcast is just getting started. 302 00:20:52,970 --> 00:20:55,190 Speaker 4: If this podcast has offered value to your life and 303 00:20:55,230 --> 00:20:57,590 Speaker 4: enriched your faith, we would love it if you left 304 00:20:57,630 --> 00:21:00,389 Speaker 4: us a review. Doing so gives us insight into how 305 00:21:00,410 --> 00:21:03,330 Speaker 4: our podcasts are affecting people and changing lives. You can 306 00:21:03,369 --> 00:21:05,690 Speaker 4: engage with more of our content by looking up Pray.com 307 00:21:05,730 --> 00:21:08,580 Speaker 4: on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 308 00:21:09,220 --> 00:21:12,209 Speaker 4: And for more inspiring stories, life-changing sermons, and truth to 309 00:21:12,230 --> 00:21:14,859 Speaker 4: last a lifetime, download the Pray.com app today.