"LIVING AMONG HOLY THINGS"
Mar. 22, 2019
(The priests said to Judas): "What is that to us? See to it yourself."
~ Matthew 27:4 (ESV)
What kind of men are these? Though they are priests—chief priests!—they seem to feel no shame at all about offering silver to Judas to betray his Master. I hope they at least had the decency not to use money that came out of the temple offerings!
And when Judas shows up later, full of remorse, and tries to undo the betrayal, they answer him with one of the most cold-blooded replies on record: "What is that to us? See to it yourself." They offered no hope, no money, nothing to hang on to—and Judas went and hanged himself. Did they know? Did they care?
The priests are scary. Not because they are villains, but because they manage to be what they are while spending all their lives around holy things, serving in the very temple of the Lord. My mind can't process that. How is it possible for a man to walk from "Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!" just a few dozen steps to a meeting that ends up with "What is that to us? See to it yourself!"?
It scares me the more because as a Christian, I too spend my life among holy things. I read the Bible. I go to church. I take communion. And I don't want to end up like these men, arguing over blood money in the midst of holiness.
But only one thing can prevent that—and that's if Jesus is actually living in me, holy in the midst of my unholiness. Nothing short of that can protect me. Nothing short of that can protect you.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple" (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). This is our protection. Because we are His temple, God guards us jealously from the attacks of the devil. Jesus laid down His life to make us God's holy and everlasting possession. The One who died and rose for us will keep us safe—and holy—in His hands.
THE PRAYER: Dear Father, keep me holy; keep me safe from evil; keep me in Your hands. Amen.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- What "holy things" do you live among on a daily or weekly basis?
- When have you been surprised by evil in a holy place or situation?
- How do you guard against having a hardened heart like those of the chief priests?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
What "holy things" do you live among on a daily or weekly basis?
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