Potter's Field

Matthew 27

Thirty Silver Coins

1-2 In the first light of dawn, all the high priests and religious leaders met and put the finishing touches on their plot to kill Jesus. Then they tied him up and paraded him to Pilate, the governor.

3-4Judas, the one who betrayed him, realized that Jesus was doomed. Overcome with remorse, he gave back the thirty silver coins to the high priests, saying, "I've sinned. I've betrayed an innocent man."

They said, "What do we care? That's your problem!"

5Judas threw the silver coins into the Temple and left. Then he went out and hung himself.

6-10The high priests picked up the silver pieces, but then didn't know what to do with them. "It wouldn't be right to give this—a payment for murder!—as an offering in the Temple." They decided to get rid of it by buying the "Potter's Field" and use it as a burial place for the homeless. That's how the field got called "Murder Meadow," a name that has stuck to this day. Then Jeremiah's words became history:

They took the thirty silver pieces,
The price of the one priced by some sons of Israel,
And they purchased the potter's field.
And so they unwittingly followed the divine instructions to the letter.

Finishing touches on the plot...

Its all a drama. The stage, the characters, the plot, the action..... Life is such. And we humans think arrogantly that we plan the motions of our lives when it is God who has the details all worked out. i would like to see the faces the chief priests and high priests on the day they face our Maker. The shock!

Judas is overcome with remorse....

Judas was sorry for his sin. He was remorseful. There is actually no difference between Judas and Peter. No one did the greater evil. Both betrayed the Lord. and yet only one turned and confessed to Him. If only Judas had said he was sorry, he would be with Jesus today. Instead he took his remorse and punished himself not allowing the one who gave Himself for our punishment to take his place. How sad. And how many people today do just that thinking it would get them on the good books with God. and how sad that they don't know that their crime has been paid for. that they have been bailed out. Same crime. Betrayal. two different reactions. Is there any sin that He can't forgive. skeptics would argue and say, ' o but judas didn't have a choice. he was destined to be the betrayer. it was prophesied of him. he was just fulfilling his destiny. God is unjust to do what He did...'

But think about it ..... Judas had a choice. And God knew ever detail even before it happens. He knows every detail of our lives. He just published what He already saw happening. Judas had a choice to repent. Be remorseful, but say i'm sorry. Repent. He didn't!

The high priest actually were trying to do what was right... HAH!

Can you imagine the irony. the paradox of the situation. Here were a bunch of guys who are spiritual leaders trying to keep the law. On one hand they plotted murder. And not just anyone but God Himself. They murdered the one who gave them the law. Its like watching some pottery stage a riot and beat up the potter and burn his workshop. Then, when Judas throws the money back. ... O they can't ignore it.... after all its money and it can be used to help the poor right! HAH! But, but... o ... its 'payment for murder'. they even acknowledged it was murder. Hmmm..... interesting how people justify their actions.

Imagine a meeting of church elders and there they present the accounts for the month. and one column says... Payment for murder - 30 pcs silver . And the other, not knowing how to term it they probably called it a donation - 30 pcs silver. And to make sure the money doesn't stay in the treasury. they purchase a field .... and not just any field. a field to bury the poor and homeless. I can imagine a meeting with them discussing this. ' Hmm..... i don't think the entries sound right. What if the generations to come read this. or what if the next committee who take over start questioning us.... We better take it out. Just fill in the entry as miselaneous - 30 pcs of silver.'and just buy the field and put it as a donation given out. and the money judas returned as a donation too.'

The Potter's Field

Do you have a potter's field of your own?

Jeremiah's words became history

i love this phrase. Where else can you find a book where the prophecy and its fulfillment are written in one book!

Everything in the Word will become history one day. And thats Jesus coming again in glory to set up His millennial Kingdom too. and even the fact that one day He will blow the trumpet and call us, His beloved Home at the rapture. This may sound wierd, but, i actually imagine it happening in my lifetime. My eyes open immediately sometimes in the night when i'm fast asleep at the sounds of some stirring. i think its the angels coming to take us home.