30 PIECES

(based on Matthew 26:14-16, 47-49 and 27:3-10 and Luke 22:1-5, 21-23, 47-48)

There it sat. A bag. A cloth bag with 30 pieces of silver. "Why," Judas thought, "do I feel sick to my stomach? It had to happen. The Messiah was supposed to fight! He was supposed to win. Jesus -- Jesus didn't fight. Jesus healed and talked."

Can you picture Judas staring at the bag containing the money he had received from the priest? Look close. What is his body language? Is he still defiant? Is he still an accuser? Is he wiping his lips with his hand, as if to wipe the filth of his act away?

Again Judas bangs his hands on the table, "If only he had been a Zealot. He was supposed to oppose the Roman soldiers not heal their children. But ---- "

"But when Jesus said to me, 'Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?' I knew. I knew. But it was too late."

Look again at Judas. I picture him walking the floor. Back and forth. Back and forth. Anguish. Sweat dripping.

Mad at Jesus for not being who he thought he should be.

Mad at himself for allowing the devil to lead him to the priests.

Mad at the priests for using him to get what they wanted.

Mad at himself. Pacing back and forth. Back and forth. His mind going from anger to shame. To regret.

"I will take the money back. It will be okay. I will tell the priests. They ---. I will take the money back. It is early, daylight now. They will be there. I will go. I will take the money back," Judas said feeling relief. "I will take the money back."

Judas did repent. The priests and elders did not care. Judas threw the money down and --

IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU

Do not think for a minute I am trying to make Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him, a person who deserves our compassion. But maybe, just maybe.

It could happen to you. Does Jesus always live up to the image you have of him? And when he doesn't, how do you feel?

You see, Judas, who also betrayed him, wanted Jesus to act one way but Jesus came to act in another. Jesus was supposed to fight the Romans. Jesus - if he was the Messiah - was supposed to save the chosen people. Judas felt deceived and let down.

It is so easy to say, "I would never betray Jesus." The words are spoken with conviction. Those words slip right off the tongue, as if they were true. And they are true, at the moment.

Then life happens. Tragedy appears in a wreck, an illness or an addiction. A strong love changes and disappears. "Jesus, how could you let this happen? If you are the God of love." And suddenly the image of Jesus changes because he is not saving. He is not healing. "Isn't that what you are to do Jesus? Save and heal?"

And then confusion sets in, "Well, if he isn't going to save this person whom I love. If he isn't going to heal me, what else isn't he going to do?" The image of Jesus changes as it did for Judas.

Do you betray Jesus because he does not act like the Messiah you want?

VERY IMPORTANT: When Judas finally realized he had made a terrible mistake, he should have gone to Jesus. Jesus would have forgiven him. When you realize you have made a terrible mistake, go to Jesus. Jesus will forgive you.

GETTING THE ROOM READY

(based on Mark 14:12-16)

Two disciples went to prepare the room for Passover and I bet they talked while they worked. My imagination can fill in the gaps.

"Did you hear what they shouted? 'Hosanna, to the Son of David'."

"Yes and do you think Jesus has been different this week? Reflective as if he knows something is going to happen. He was mad in the temple."

"I say! Stuff sure went flying. He called it 'my Father's House'."

"Did you see the look on the faces of the chief priests and the teachers of the law? I am afraid they will be after Jesus even more now. We must keep our eyes and ears open."

"Did you see Jesus' face when he was telling us 'to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind'? He was so serious. I felt like he was speaking only to me."

"I was confused when he talked about the temple being rebuilt in three days. I thought I understood what Jesus was trying to teach us until then."

"Maybe this evening we can ask him to explain about the temple being rebuilt."

"What about the woman pouring expensive perfume on his head? He sure set us straight. But why would she have been preparing him for burial now?"

"By the way, have you seen Judas?"

"No, I don't know where he is."

"Is that everything? Are we ready for the Passover meal?"

"I think we are ready. I have a feeling this is going to be a very important evening with Jesus."

IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU

The disciples prepared a room for what they thought was going to be another Passover meal with Jesus. They were thinking ritual, food and fellowship.

It could happen to you. How would you prepare a room if Jesus was coming to eat?

"Tonight Jesus? Well, of course, I mean who am I to tell the Son of God this is a bad night, what with work and the kids having ball practice and I haven't been to the store. Yes, tonight will work."

Would you go into warp speed? Would you notice the dust behind the couch and realize there are shoes everywhere? And hasn't anyone taken out the trash all week? Good china? Yes, I will have to get out the good china. Now where is the lace tablecloth my mother-in-law said would come in handy? Better call and cancel ball practice and tell the kids to get home early so they can shower and put on their good clothes.

"Yes dear it would help if you ran the sweeper and went to the store. Pork chops. Oh, he is Jewish. Make it a beef roast. I can put one of those in the oven and forget it."

"AND WHERE IS THE BIBLE?"

If Jesus was coming to your home tonight to join you for supper, how would you act? Would you panic? Would you be afraid? OR ----

Would you set the table, get out the leftovers and wait at the door?

Jesus doesn't care if there is dust. He doesn't care if the floor is swept or if you put the most expensive cut of roast in the oven. Jesus doesn't care if you leave an old, ugly lace tablecloth hidden in the back of the closet. It is simple.

Jesus wants you to open the door.

Jesus wants you to invite him in.

LET GO OF THAT STONE

(based on John 8:1-11)

My imagination can grasp only so much at a time. It has trouble dealing with a peaceful scene that turns angry. I don't want people to be angry, but there are always trouble makers.

It is peaceful and quiet. Jesus has had his breakfast and goes to the temple courts. He is quickly surrounded by people wanting to hear him. Wanting to be near him. Can you see him sitting there, using his hands to make a point? Jesus was enjoying time to teach. When --

When he is interrupted by the teachers of the law and Pharisees who quickly point out "this woman" has been caught in adultery and they want to know exactly what Jesus is going to do about it.

This is where the scene goes from peaceful to angry. All those people who were listening to Jesus quickly find stones. They realized a good stoning was about to happen and they did not want to be left out. After all, the law says!

Yes, Jesus knows the law but instead of grabbing a stone, Jesus kneels down and writes in the dirt.

But they kept questioning him and he finally stood up and said, "So who here is perfect? Have any of you made it this far in life without committing a sin? If so, throw your stone."

Again Jesus knelt down and wrote on the ground. We have no idea what he wrote but we know what he heard.

Can you hear it? Listen. Oh, close your eyes and listen.

There! The first stone dropped. And then another. Another. Another. Another.

Now what my imagination sees is the person who dropped the first stone. The person who looked into their heart, into their life and realized they could not throw any stone.

IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU

Can you now hear and see those stones being dropped. All because one person was the first to let go.

It could happen to you. You could be the first person to let go.

I don't think it was easy to be the first. Think of the pressure. All those people standing around, with a stone which keeps getting heavier and heavier. Fingers getting tired of holding on. But no one wanting to be the first to throw their stone or be the first to let go.

What if you let go and everyone else went ahead and threw their stone? Then they would look at you wondering exactly what sin you were guilty of.

What if you threw your stone only to have everyone else drop theirs? That would be a bit awkward.

Besides those teachers of the law and the Pharisees were standing back there waiting and you knew if you didn't follow the law, you would get a chapter and verse lecture on stoning.

"But I am a sinner," you think. "Jesus is right. How do I throw a stone? If they knew my sins, I would be next."

Throw. Don't throw. Weigh your options. Throw. Don't throw.

Quietly you drop the stone. And turn and walk away.

Your hands hold stones and you have to choose. Do you throw a stone because their sin is bigger than yours? Do you throw a stone because you are too proud to let it drop? Do you throw a stone? Do you throw a stone?

Or do you drop the stone, turn and walk away?

Does someone have a chance to "go and sin no more" because you let go of your stone?

WHAT'S FOR LUNCH

(based on John 6:1-14)

Don't ya love children? They are so considerate of their parents. Always wanting to help. Never causing any extra work. There is one boy who caused him mom some worry and extra work.

In a grown up voice, the boy asks, "Mom, I know I have chores to do but Jesus, the man we have been hearing so much about, is speaking today. I really want to hear him. Yes, I know the way. Some of my friends are going. May I go, please? Pretty please with honey?"

"Lunch? No, I won't be back for lunch. Oh, mom. I am not a baby. If it will make you happy, fix a lunch and I will take it with me," he said. Under his breath he muttered, "And I bet it won't be a peanut butter sandwich. It will probably be the same old fish and bread. Whoopi."

So off the boy goes. See him? There in the middle of the crowd walking over the hill. He keeps looking around for his buddies but he is beginning to think their moms wouldn't let them come. He thinks, "I am going to hear this Jesus even if I have to do it by myself!"

"You said your name is Andrew. Come with you?" the boy asked. "Why? Yes I do have some food but it isn't much and to be honest it is cheap bread and fish. Not a lot you can do with so little. Besides, have you even tried to count the people? There must be 5,000 men. Plus the women and children. I can guarantee you what I have in this sack won't do it."

The next thing the boy knew he was in front of the whole crowd. Standing there with his sack lunch and looking right at Jesus. Then Jesus speaks to the boy and asks if he will share his lunch.

As everyone sat down and received their fill, the boy thought, "No way is mom going to believe this. And I thought it was a miracle she even let me come."

IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU

It was cheap bread and some fish. Barely enough for one boy but enough to feed thousands.

It could happen to you. You could be asked to share something you have.

When you read about this miracle, do you picture Jesus sitting at the bottom of a hill? Do you picture families sitting in groups, relaxing and eating? Do you see men discussing what they had heard preached this morning? Do you see women taking care of children?

When you imagine this miracle where is the boy? Do you see him hand his food to Jesus? Do you see him watch as Jesus turns a little bit of food into basketfuls? Do you see the wonder in his eyes? Do you see him realize he helped others?

All the footnotes say this shows Jesus is the supplier of our needs. He is the bread of life. And it is true. But it also shows how we help Jesus. How Jesus can use what we have to feed others. To feed their bodies. To feed their faith.

What do you have Jesus can use? And "nothing" is not the correct answer! There is something unique about you. God made you special and gave you a talent, a gift, to use. Yes, it might be hidden but you can find it. Look deep. Deeper. Look outside of the box you put yourself in! Still looking? Feel like you have nothing to give? How about a few suggestions?

Call someone who is lonely

Visit a shut-in

Send a card to encourage a friend

Bake some cookies for the fire department

Teach a small group study

Help someone learn to change a tire

Teach plumbing to new homeowners

Babysit so a new mother can have a break

Plant vegetables to share

Read to those who cannot see

The list of possibilities can be long. God does not expect you to do them all. Maybe he only expects you to do one. Maybe he wants you to share some cheap bread and fish.