Thirty Pieces of Silver

1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

We’d all like to think we’re nothing like Judas the betrayer, who traded Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. An honest look at our hearts reveals, however, that we all have things we trade for Christ every day. Whether it’s comfort, power, control, or some other idol, we all make our exchanges. As we approach Easter, this series invites us to repent and treasure Christ above every idol and temptation.

PRAYER

Message

What four things are we often tempted to serve instead of Christ?

Wealth

Big Idea of the Point: Judas was willing to trade Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

Matthew 26:6–16 ESV

6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” 14 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.

Juxtaposition of Woman / Judas

Deal or No Deal

Jesus did not live up to his expectations…???

Prosperity gospel… blessed from following Jesus

Selling out for such a small prize…

Application Point: Jesus is worth more than anything else to the believer. Beware of what you are tempted to trade him for.

Judas, seeing that Jesus was going to the cross, took the money back to the priests and killed himself (Matthew 27:3–5). His story ended tragically. Judas was gone before he could see the resurrection of Christ and understand the path to forgiveness and restoration through Jesus.

Unlike Judas, we live after the cross and resurrection, and that means we don’t have to be crushed by our sin and shame. Reflecting on the things that we are tempted to trade for Jesus in our own lives can help us deepen our understanding of our Judas like tendencies. Our story doesn’t end in a field; it ends in glory with our risen Savior.

Comfort

Big Idea of the Point: Glory is on the horizon, but first we take up the cross.

Matthew 16:24–28 ESV

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Following Jesus does not mean comfort

what do you need to be uncomfortable about with Jesus

Think of work boots vs slippers

Dietrich Bonhoeffer = “The cross is laid on every Christian. The first Christ-suffering which every man must experience is the call to abandon the attachments of this world. … As we embark upon discipleship, we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with his death—we give over our lives to death. Thus it begins; the cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. … Only the man who is dead to his own will can follow Christ. In fact every command of Jesus is a call to die, with all our affections and lusts. But we do not want to die, and therefore Jesus Christ and his call are necessarily our death and our life” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship [New York: Touchstone, 1995], 89–90).

Toxic or Transformative… beware the self sacrificial life of the fool

Application Point: Following Jesus will at times be uncomfortable. Jesus Himself told us that we should expect this. However our end in Him is with Him forever in His glory.

Power

Big Idea of the Point: Jesus’s kingdom is not one of public or political power but of sacrifice.

John 18:33–40 ESV

33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Power struggle in this passage

Pulpit / Politics Power… social networking

Power used for the powerless… Jesus

Application Point: Believers are called not to wield their God given power for the assistance of the powerless and the glory of Christ.

Control

Big Idea of the Point: God’s will is more important than the way we want things to go.

Matthew 26:36–46 ESV

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

Control is usually the over arching issue...

Human desire for control… not controlled… “let go and let God”

asking for change to submission

Global Pandemic… Control?… personal liberties

As we look ahead to the resurrection, we are humbled by gratitude that Jesus did choose to obey unto death. It is a death that paved the way to life. We recognize our humanity and its tendency to manipulate, purchase, or impose power to control our own destinies. And yet, we would have no future without relinquishing our whole being to the God who saves us and transforms us from the inside out. We can’t grow until we allow the Spirit to rearrange our priorities, our desires, and our need for control. Are we willing to trade Jesus, to minimize his saving work, to keep our grip on our perception of control? It seems like the smart move is to pray as Jesus did: “Not as I will, but as you will” (v. 39).

Application Point: We cannot control everything. Peace comes in embracing God’s ultimate control of our individual lives as we honor him through obedience.

Close

Mark 12:30 ESV

30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

PRAYER

Group Questions

Does other people’s generosity make you uncomfortable? Why or why not?

Are you a risk-taker or a “play it safe” kind of person? How does that affect your faith?

Have you ever felt disappointed with God? In what way did he not live up to your expectations?

Do you think God should reward the obedient and punish the disobedient? What sort of rewards would be appropriate?

Is wealth something that tempts you? If not wealth, what other things are a temptation to trade in exchange for Jesus?

What is the best thing you have ever bought to make your life more comfortable? Was it worth it the cost?

Why is it easier to focus on what God has done for us, rather than following it up by taking up our cross and following him?

If happiness or comfort were your ultimate goals, what would you pursue? How does God’s purpose change your goals and motivations?

Is there a place in your life where you feel God’s urging to embrace discomfort? How can you do that?

Why is power so alluring? Why can it be dangerous?

Do you currently have a position of power in any of your circles(church, work, social circles, community)? How can you use it to serve others well?

Think about your country’s political power. Do you think it reflects the way of Jesus? Why or why not?

Do you like to be in control? Or are you a “go with the flow” typeof person? Give an example to explain.

How did living during a pandemic challenge your perception of control?

Are love and control able to coexist in relationships?

Are there any areas of your life in which you are reluctant to submit to God’s will? Why? How can you ask God to help you be willing to trust him with these things?

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