“Forgiveness brings healing and new life; bitterness leads to hopelessness and death.”

Day 228 Matthew 27:3-10 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, and gave them for the potter’s field, as the LORD directed me.” If it were not for the seriousness of the subject matter, this passage would make me laugh. The money was taken from the treasury to pay for the blood of a man, yet now it is considered tainted because of that blood. And while the actions of the man who was deceived are considered treacherous, the actions of those who carried out the deception are considered righteous. Here, again, we have more proof that people who purpose to do evil will always justify their action, no matter what the truth is. Judas, even though he had committed a heinous act, finally came to his senses and realized that he was wrong, yet these religious leaders stood firm and actually turned the tables on Judas. He had been foolish enough to believe them, and now he was no longer of use to them. Over and over again in this world I see far too often a very similar pattern in both business and unfortunately, occasionally, in ministry: one day everyone is your friend and you can do no wrong; the next day no one seems to desire your company. The tragedy is that all too often it can seem like your value is based upon what you have to offer to those around you. You see, no matter how we slice it, people by their sin born nature can seem to be in fellowship with us under false pretenses. However the true reality is this is never the case with Jesus, He loves us under all pretenses, in all circumstances and He never throws us out like used garbage. Our true value must come from the one who gave all He had for you, why? Because you are valuable to Him; yes, far more than just thirty pieces of silver, you are worth His innocent blood. Have you let go or are you still trapped by the hurt and pain caused by unfulfilled expectations? Judas solved his hurt and pain by hanging himself, and the people who used him didn't even care, yet had Judas become a mighty man of God as a result of his sin, those leaders would have regretted the day they met him. All Judas had to do was realize the power of repentance and forgiveness! How about you can you realize that power and walk in it, fulfilling God’s true calling for you? Daily Prayer: Father, may I never get caught up in the bindings of bitterness and unforgiveness. Teach me, Lord, the value of forgiveness, and may I expect no more of anyone else than I am able to give myself. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. “Forgiveness brings healing and new life; bitterness leads to hopelessness and death.” Gene Burroughs, Pastor