Day 20: Zechariah 11:12-13
Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver. Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter” — the lordly price at which I was priced by them. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord, to the potter.
Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, prophesied hundreds of years earlier by Zechariah the prophet, as desire for money outweighed love for God. After giving Jesus over, Judas felt guilt and remorse and threw the money into the temple. For him, what promised happiness became worthless. Post holiday blues are common as the anticipation of the holidays fades, gifts begin to wear out, family and friends depart, the health effects of sweets realized, credit card bills arrive, Christmas lights come down.
Where are you looking for happiness? Judas gave Jesus over for 30 pieces of silver. Greed destroyed his love. Do you choose the world and its empty promises over Jesus and His eternal promises? If so, this is idolatry. Look for ways to embrace Jesus’ and his promises today, and experience the good news of great joy.