LISTEN TO COME AND SEE! CHAPTER 4 – AN EVIL PLAN
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Welcome to this special Easter edition of Redeeming the Chaos with Laurie Christine!
A FAMILY DEVOTIONAL FOR EASTER
For 30 days leading up to Easter, I will be reading to you from my easter devotional book, Come and See! 30 Family Bible Stories for Easter.
Today, I am reading Come and See! Chapter 4 – AN EVIL PLAN.
Come and See! invites families of elementary-aged children to experience firsthand the anticipation, the sorrow, the tragedy, the fear, and the ultimate triumph of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Through the eyes of six eye witnesses, you will be led on a journey through the busyness of the streets of Jerusalem, to the despair of Golgotha, and finally to the celebration of the empty grave.
This book includes 30 short devotional stories, each with accompanying Scripture references and questions for discussion and imagination.
We are going to be reading one story each day leading up to Easter. You’re welcome to grab the kids and listen together for your family Bible time. Or, if you would rather read to your kids on your own, you can DOWNLOAD A FREE COPY OF THE ENTIRE EBOOK HERE.
LISTEN TO COME AND SEE! CHAPTER 4 – AN EVIL PLAN
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READ COME AND SEE! CHAPTER 4 – AN EVIL PLAN
AN EVIL PLAN – Told by Judas, A Disciple of Jesus
“I was nervous. I knew that what I was about to do was an act of betrayal to the man I had followed for the past three years. But I felt driven, almost as if an evil force had entered into my soul. I knew exactly what I had to do.“
Judas, DISCIPLE OF JESUS
I was so sick of Jesus getting all this attention. I had been one of his original twelve disciples and had followed him for the past three years, but I was beginning to think that Jesus was just a big show — just trying to get all the attention for himself. Flipping over tables and causing chaos in the temple? Seriously, who did he think he was?
Then there was the time that we were all at Lazarus’ house for dinner, and his sister Mary dumped a whole bottle of perfume on Jesus’ feet, of all places. Such a waste! Jesus didn’t even reprimand her. He let her do it, as if he deserved this special treatment. I would have loved to get my hands on that perfume and sell it to make a little money.
I was the one in charge of the finances for the twelve disciples. That’s one thing I did enjoy… handling money. And making money. Oh, and maybe stealing money every now and then, but nobody really noticed anyway. I mean, who was going to miss a few shekels here and there?
I had heard a rumor that the chief priests and Jewish religious leaders were looking for a way to capture Jesus and arrest him. They were just as tired of him as I was. Ever since the whole ordeal of Lazarus being raised from the dead, the people of Jerusalem had been flocking to Jesus, hoping to see him perform more miracles. More and more people were abandoning the teachings of the Pharisees and following Jesus instead.
An evil plot began to form in my mind. Maybe I could make a little extra money, AND get rid of Jesus at the same time! I arranged to meet with some of the priests and religious teachers. Late one evening, I snuck away from the home where the disciples were staying in Bethany and headed downtown to the temple in Jerusalem.
“Welcome, Judas,” Caiaphas greeted me coldly. “To what do we owe this unexpected visit?”
I was nervous. I knew that what I was about to do was an act of betrayal to the man I had followed for the past three years. But I felt driven, almost as if an evil force had entered into my soul. I knew exactly what I had to do.
“Umm, yes, Your Honor…thank you, Your Honor, for seeing me on such short notice.” I hesitated, and then decided to go for it. My confidence grew, and I felt emboldened to do the unthinkable. “I have heard that you’re looking for a way to arrest Jesus of Nazareth. I think maybe I can help you out.”
That definitely got the priests’ attention. “Okay, we’re listening….” Their eyes lit up as they eagerly anticipated the capture of Jesus.
I continued. “Well, as you know, I am one Jesus’ disciples, and I have grown very close to him over the past three years. I think he actually trusts me. He wouldn’t suspect a thing. Maybe I can figure out a way to hand him over to you when the crowds aren’t around.”
The priests turned to whisper to each other in private so I couldn’t hear them. Turning back to face me, Caiaphas said, “Okay, we accept your offer. We’ll give you twenty pieces of silver for compensation.”
Twenty pieces of silver. That was almost four months’ worth of wages! “Let’s make it thirty pieces of silver, and you’ve got yourself a deal.”
“Done. We’ll be in touch, Judas. And don’t let anyone know about this meeting. We don’t want to cause any trouble among the people.”
I left the temple that night with sweaty hands, a pounding chest, and a pocket full of silver coins. Feelings of hatred and envy filled my heart as I thought about Jesus. Deep down, I knew he was innocent, but I couldn’t help myself.
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