What is the price of your Soul?

Matthew 26:14-16

“Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.”

As I began to search for the value of those 30 pieces of silver, both in the time Jesus walked in the flesh on planet earth and there value today, this thought came into my mind, what would a man, woman, boy or girl give in exchange for their soul?  It is clear that Judas Iscariot was the banker for the group, and in John 13:27-31, “Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.”  It is also clear that Satan entered into him, so at this point by his will, Judas chose Satan’s plan for his life over Jesus’ offer.

Scriptures give us insight into the character of Judas, he was a thief, and that is recorded in John 12:6, “He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.”  The name Judas and traitor have a corresponding meaning, and I’ve never met a person who is named Judas, but I’m sad to say I’ve met many Judas’s in my short life of 72 years.

Many a sermon has been preached on his denial, and many have tried to give human reasons for him doing so, but Jesus tells us the following: “While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”  And do you recall the apostle John’s account in John 6:67-71, “So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him.”
The very sad news is Judas was sorry for what he had done and that is recorded in Matthew 27:4-5, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.”  Satan does not play fair, for Jesus said he is a liar, and a deceiver, and he will give you a strong desire to sin, but as soon as you have listened, looked, and then chosen to sin, he becomes your accuser.
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice