What Jesus Did! 'Infamy' — Matthew 26:14-16

Friday, November 26, 2021

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests and asked, "How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?" And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
— Matthew 26:14-16 NLT

Key Thought

It appears that not only would the woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus would be remembered but that Judas would be remembered, too! Wherever the Good News is told, Judas is also remembered.

Judas is not just famous; he is infamous! How many mothers want their son to be named Judas? How many dads want their son to be known as a betrayer? So the antithesis of the woman who anointed Jesus with costly perfume is Judas, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

While the things woman and Judas did are the extremes, those of us who follow Jesus are confronted by their two powerful images and asked to choose the way we will live our lives: Will we live extravagantly for Jesus, or will we live seeking to get something extravagant because we know Jesus?

Today's Prayer

Father and Almighty God, I confess that I have sometimes been very selfish in the way that I have looked at you and prayed to you. I've presented you with my wish lists hoping that you would grant the wishes of my heart. But in this powerful collision of the lives of the woman and Judas in the shadow of Jesus' cross, I am convicted of what you have sacrificed for me and the incredible extravagance you showed me in sending Jesus, not to mention that you had him die for my sins! I can never fully thank you, but I want to strive to serve you and love you and honor you with faithful extravagance as long as I live. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 22:3-6
  • John 13:21-30
  • Luke 22:47-48

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 26:14-16 NLT — "How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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