“Run Away From Blood Money!”

“Run Away From Blood Money!”(Mt.27:1-31).
In Shakespeare’s ‘Merchant of Venice’, Antonio says, “I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano; A stage where every man must play a part, And mine a sad one.” God forbid that you or me be the ones to play the sad part; yet if it is divinely ordained, we may not escape it.
In the drama of salvation, Judas Iscariot decided to play the sad part of a villain and traitor – a betrayer! The fate of Judas Iscariot awaits all betrayers.
Karma may be a term in Hinduism, but even the Lord Jesus Christ said we reap what we sow. Choices – be it decisions or actions – have consequences! The consequence of any evil choice is damnatiion. You reap the benefits of evil choice, but you do not enjoy it. If you doubt this, ask Judas Iscariot when you meet him in hell!🤣. “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’ ‘What is that to us?’ they replied. “That’s your responsibility.’ So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. The chief priests picked up the coins and said, ‘It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.’ So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: ‘They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.'” In a nutshell, Judas Iscariot died before Jesus. He died without enjoying a dime out of the money he collected. It was blood money!
On his part, Jesus was bound and handed over to Pilate. This was an easy way for the chief priests and elders to eliminate Jesus by making it political. But when Pilate asked if Jesus was the king of the Jews, Jesus simply answered, “You have said so.” With all further allegations, Jesus chose silence over noise – as it is said, the best answer to a fool is to be silent.
Jesus’ accusers were bent on killing him, so they chose for an insurrectionist to be released instead of Jesus. Yet, they did not know what they were doing! They were helping to fulfil Scriptures. Salvation had to happen! The Messiah had to suffer many things, be killed but raised from the dead so as to overcome the grave and death itself!
My friend, the Lord Jesus Christ, went through this ordeal for you and I. What can we do for him? All he wants from us is obedience to the LORD for our own good.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, on this stage and in this drama of life, help me to flee from the pursuit of blood money. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
02/04/2026.