6 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.” 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me.”
Is it not interesting that these feigned religious characters had had no problem divvying out the coins to the betrayer to get their dirty work done yet now seek to show scruples after the deed is accomplished? Was the law not in place when they paid Judas to rat on his Master’s whereabouts or did they simply and conveniently disregard it for their own purposes?
“It may be a secret sin on earth, but it is an open scandal in heaven.” Lewis Sperry Chafer
What hypocrisy they demonstrated! Using the temple monies to hire a traitor which, by the way, they considered parallel to the hire of a prostitute, did not seem to keep them awake at night or give them any qualms. Yet in our verses for today, they sought to atone for their wickedness with a feigned humility towards public good by providing a burial place for foreigners albeit at no cost to themselves rather with the use of the blood money. This of course served two of their disgusting purposes – making them look good in the eyes of others and providing a place where foreigners could be buried that was not near their burial spot. For them, foreigners must keep their distance both alive and dead – that principle of theirs going down to the grave.
Oh the wickedness flesh can conceive when it is fervently seeking its own way! Devising wicked schemes hits the list of the top seven things the Lord hates in Proverbs. These, I believe, are always good for us to review:
16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. Prov 6:16-19 (NIV)
Wow, it appears these religious leaders were guilty of them all! When we allow one sin to enter in, it does not take long for many to take over! As Christians we cannot be possessed yet we can be so oppressed that we appear possessed and our fruit can be perceived as anything but a believer in the Lord Jesus! We are to avoid everything that would prove to be to us a torment in the hour of our death – which, unless Jesus returns first, we will all walk through the valley of the shadow of.
“The entertaining of any worldly lust, and indulgence of any known wilful sin, is an accursed thing, by which we are deprived of the power of God, and cannot stand before our enemies. Behold, therefore the severity of God, and be more earnest. Make all haste to flee from the lust of the world, especially from the lust of the eye, which is the love of money. Examine thyself closely in other things, and whatever sinful lust harbors in thy breast, be faithful to put it off, and flee from it, else you must not wonder at your being so weak in spirit. He that does not resist the sinful motions of his heart, will very easily give a loose to his hands and tongue; but he that immediately subdues the inward corruptions, will certainly be preserved from their breaking out in any sinful actions. O Lord, deliver me from all accursed things, and keep my heart always under thy closest inspection and discipline. Amen.” K. H. Von Bogatzky
23 If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; 24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. 25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. 26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. 27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. 28 For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; 29 the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. Psalms 37:23-29 (NIV)
10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:10-17 (NIV)