November 30, 2023 – Does the Bible Say…?

“Does the Bible say Judas betrayed Jesus only for money?”

“When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. He said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.” After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.” Matthew 27:3-8

In the Gospel account, there is a lot of emphasis on Judas and his handling of money. We learn that he was appointed treasurer – as such he carried the money bag. He paid all expenses and kept the books. He made budget estimates from week to week and also made weekly reports. Judas paid out funds on the authorization of others. But Judas must have become more and more of a brooder – perhaps over personal failings – perhaps he, like the other disciples, was part of the arguments over who was the greatest. There had to have been jealousy and in-fighting among the disciples, as they were simply men – who felt human emotions, like jealousy. Perhaps Judas was not a good debater. Perhaps Judas chose to listen more than share his feelings. But, over time, his feelings had been hurt – but why?

One day when a grateful woman broke an expensive box of incense at Jesus’ feet, things changed for Judas – or perhaps they had been changing within him for some time. This act of devotion seemed wasteful to Judas, and when his public protest was put down by Jesus there, in the hearing of all, it was too much. That event must have hurt Judas so much that all of his hate, hurt, malice, prejudice, jealousy, and revenge finally made him snap. And so he made up his mind to get even with Jesus.

We know the rest of the story. We know how Judas accepted thirty pieces of silver to betray Jesus. In Jesus’ day this would have been the equivalent of four months’ pay for a day laborer. The equivalent of those 30 pieces of silver in today’s money would be anywhere from $90 to $400 dollars – depending on the coin.  Did he do it just for the money? In my mind it couldn’t have just been for the money – he had other ways to pay his bills. I believe he was driven by other demons – and he paid the ultimate price for his deeds.

Pastor Dave

November 29, 2023 – Does the Bible Say…?

“Does the Bible say Jesus can heal just by people touching his clothes?”   

“Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.” When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Luke 8:43-48

There were many disorders in the time of Jesus that would put someone outside of the community. These disorders would include leprosy, bleeding disorders, blindness, epilepsy, and many others. Most of these disorders were not curable, and so the people who suffered from them were permanently outside of the community – forced to beg – ostracized from their family and friends. Some diseases were considered to be caused by the sins of their parents – others by the sins they perpetrated in the womb. No matter the cause, these people were outsiders – suffering – alone. I believe one of the situations in first century Palestine that caused Jesus the most pain was the way people treated those who were outcasts of the community, for no other reason than they suffered from a disease. So Jesus was determined to heal as many people as he could. Sometimes he didn’t even have to touch the person or be near the person to heal them. For example, there was the time Jesus was near the city of Nain: “When the Lord saw (the widow from Nain), he was moved with compassion for her and said to her, “Do not cry.” Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stopped. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.”  (Luke 7:13-15)

This helps us understand why so many begged Jesus to help them when he appeared in their villages. This is the case of the woman mentioned above. She took great risk to approach Jesus in the synagogue. And when she touched the hem of his clothing, “power went out from him.” That power left Jesus and immediately entered into her body – healing her. We talk about the power of Jesus, wondering what it was like. Some knew exactly what it felt like. Some didn’t even have to have him lay his hands on their bodies, or even to be near him to be healed. I just wonder what it felt like to have the power of Jesus enter her body? It must have been electric.

Pastor Dave