Devotion
Spy Wednesday
Frances Taylor
What price do I place on Jesus' head? For Judas it was thirty pieces of silver. I know you're thinking, "Not me!" Stop and think: when was the last time you chose your needs over that of your family? I'm sure you know people just as I do, whose pay check is not always spent on food, rent or mortgage. These are people who gamble, drink, use drugs, of other forms of entertainment and waste the monies that should be used for their families. This is the price that they place on Jesus' head.
For some, money is the god, as it was for Judas. For others, it's fame or pleasure. For others, it's just indifference or apathy. No one sits down and says that their actions, or non-actions, are betrayals of Jesus. But they are. There are other times when we make a choice that goes against everything we say we believe. Whatever the reason for doing this, we suffer the same sense of guilt that Judas felt when he fully realized the consequences of his behavior. Judas tried to return the money, but it didn't stop the crucifixion. Sometimes we are unable to undo the damage we have caused.
On a very minor and non-sinful way, I still carry some guilt feelings because my daughter's roommate didn't make it to her wedding because I didn't make sure she had a ride. Now, I understand that this was an oversight and completely unintentional, but she wasn't able to celebrate a once in a lifetime event. I have listened often to people telling me their regrets. Some were sinful, others not, but they were things they couldn't undo. Today, we take stock of the prices we have put on Jesus' head and commit to doing better.
Prayer
Compassionate and forgiving God, I'm sure you listened to Judas' and Peter's confessions of sorrow as you have listened to mine. Thank you for your love and patience with me and help me be a better person in the future. Amen.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
