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Scripture Reading: Matthew 27

Two of the most famous deaths ever recorded take place in Matthew chapter 27.  Interestingly, even though these two men had starkly different lives and deaths, the way each of them died was a reflection of the way they lived.  And in their deaths, there’s a lesson for how we can live and die better, too.

The chapter opens with the death of Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus with a kiss.  His sad death is a reflection of his sad life.  Just days before, he had watched contemptuously as a woman poured out a jar of expensive perfume onto Jesus’s head.  He complained, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 

The Bible goes on to say, “He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.” (John 12:5-6).

It was this event that caused Judas to go to the chief priests and ask, “ ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?’  So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over” (Matthew 26:15-16).

It was almost as if following Jesus was simply a means to an end for Judas.  As long as the money was coming in, he was glad to follow.  But when he saw this “wasteful” display of money by the woman, and Jesus’s apparent indifference to the finances involved, Judas began to look for another way to profit from the situation.

Sadly, when he realized his mistake, betraying an innocent man to death for thirty pieces of silver, it was too late.  He couldn’t live with what he had done, so he took his own life.  It seems that money was what Judas lived for, and money was what Judas died for.

Contrast this story with the other story of death in this chapter, the death of Jesus.

Having been betrayed by Judas, Jesus was taken to be sentenced.  Yet when accused, the Bible says, “But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge―to the great amazement of the governor” (Matthew 27:14).

Jesus knew what He had to do.  Although He had agonized in prayer, asking God if there was any other way to do what He had to do, Jesus was willing to follow God no matter what.  Jesus had always lived for others.  Now He was about to die for others, too.

Taking His last breath on the cross, Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). 

The deaths of these two men couldn’t have been more different.  Judas took his life because of sin.  Jesus gave up His life because of love.  The difference can be seen when looking into their hearts.

When you look into the heart of love, you’ll find selflessness.  When you look into the heart of sin, you’ll find selfishness.

If we want to love like Jesus loved, we’ve got to live like Jesus lived―then be willing to die like Jesus died.  In doing so, we’ll find true life.  As Jesus Himself said,

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it.”  (Matthew 16:25). 

I pray that when people look into your heart and mine, that they’ll see that our hearts are willing to die for the same things that we’re willing to live for.

I pray that our hearts would overflow with a love that is eager to live for others, give to others, and even to die for others when that time comes.

I’m not expecting to die anytime soon, and you may not be either.  But I pray that when that day comes, our deaths would be a reflection of our lives, a reflection of the heart of Jesus.

Prayer: Father, help me to give up my life of selfishness so that I can give out a life of selflessness.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.