Thirty pieces of silver were the amount of money that the chief priests paid Judas to deliver Jesus into their hands (Matthew 26:14-15).

After Jesus was bound and delivered to Pontius Pilate, Judas felt sorry that he had betrayed an innocent man.

The same person he had pledged allegiance to and followed for many years. The same person whom he called “Rabbi.”

Judas returned the thirty pieces of silver to the High Priests, but they refused to accept the money, so he angrily threw it in the temple and left to hang himself.

Judas was unable to live with the guilt of his sins and he died a bitter death without repentance.

The chief priests picked up the money from the floor and purchased a potter’s field to bury strangers. It was called the field of blood. (Matthew 27:1-10)

All of these events were prophesied by Zechariah chapter 11:4-17. The Lord told Zechariah to demonstrate the behavior of the people of Judah who had fallen into idolatry and disobedience.

The people slaughtered the sheep (the poor and victimized people), and they hated and dismissed his shepherds (true prophets).

Zechariah broke the covenant with the people for thirty pieces of silver and threw it into the house of the Lord. He broke the bond of brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

Events leading to the crucifixion

Jesus revealed the plot to kill Him to His disciples (Matthew 26:1-5).

Although the crucifixion of Jesus was a plan by the Father to save humanity from sins God protected His Son by controlling the actions of the enemy.

Jesus was first anointed with costly fragrant oil for His burial by a woman with an alabaster box of sweet perfume. This woman went down as a memorial in history because of her actions (Matthew 26:6-13).

After Judas plotted the betrayal, Christ had the Passover supper with His disciples solidifying the new covenant of His blood. (Matthew 26:17-25)

The wine and the anointing oil also symbolized the new covenant of Christ’s blood which was shed for the remission of our sins.

The oil also represents the Holy Spirit, who will dwell in our hearts to teach, guide, protect and keep us pure.

You can read more about the significance of the oil and wine here.

Jesus revealed to Peter that he would deny Him three times (Matthew 26:31-35)

He also told His disciples that they would forsake Him when He was captured.

Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:

‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ (Matthew 26:31 NKJV)

These words were also prophesied by Zechariah (Zechariah 13:7).

The final action of Jesus before He was arrested was to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane.

However, His disciples fell asleep instead of praying with Him.

They could not stay up with Him for one hour, not even Peter, who pledged to die instead of denying Christ. (Matthew 26:35)

If Peter had watched with Jesus in prayer he would not have fallen into sin.

But the disciples fell asleep during the first, second, and third watch of the night when the enemies were working full force.

“What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:40-41 NKJV)

Slumber overcame the disciples and so they fell into temptation when their master was captured.

A vibrant prayer life will prevent you from yielding to temptation especially when it is done at the fourth watch of the night.

The devil is roaming like a roaring hungry lion seeking whom he may devour.

The devil is sowing seeds of discord and confusion among families and society as a whole.

He is stealing the joy of our salvation and He is corrupting the minds of our children.

We cannot afford to sell our souls for thirty pieces of silver.

How does one sell his soul?

By using drugs and alcohol.

By living a promiscuous lifestyle.

By planting seeds of discord among the brethren.

By being disobedient to the Holy Spirit.

Instead, walk in the new covenant that Christ established for us.

Anoint yourself with oil and speak life over yourself and your children.

Prophetic word over your life

“This is my body that God has created in His image and likeness. It is the first gift that He gave to me at conception, and it is priceless, more valuable than gold or silver. My body is now a holy temple unto God. Therefore, I will not allow anyone or anything to defile it, but I will love, cherish and preserve it for God’s glory.”

I pray that the Lord will keep you from falling, and present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.

To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25).

Happy Resurrection Sunday