February 27th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

BLOOD MONEY      

Matthew 27:6-10 “The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.” 

With the return of the thirty pieces of silver, Judas created a thorny issue for the “righteous” Jewish leaders. In their constant effort to remain “moral and upstanding” leaders, they felt they could not return the betrayal money to their treasury. Imagine mixing “bribe money” with the people’s tithe. This was especially true with that money tainted not only with the blood of Jesus soon to be shed on Calvary’s cross, but also Judas’ blood. The potter’s field was their answer. 

Trying to do something good with ill gotten money does not change anything. There was no way for the Jewish leaders to clean up the thirty pieces of silver, but try they did. When you sin, you also may try to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, but frankly that purse will always be tainted by its origin. 

There is only one way to clean up the mess that sin creates. It is not by your own efforts or ingenuity. Only the shed blood of Jesus is, as the Bible says, the fuller’s soap that removes the contamination caused by your sins. (Malachai 3:2) The Bible says, “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) “Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.” (Isaiah 55:7)  Prayer: As David prayed, O Lord, so I pray today, “Create in me a clean heart and renew me with a right spirit.” (Isaiah 51:10) In Jesus’ name. Amen.  Just as I am, without one plea  But that Thy blood was shed for me  And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee,  O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

Just as I am and waiting not  
To rid my soul of one dark blot,  
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,  
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

Just as I am, though tossed about   
With many a conflict, many a doubt,  
Fighting’s and fears within, without,  
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;  
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,  
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,  
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

Just as I am, Thou will receive,  
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;  
Because Thy promise I believe,  
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

Just as I am; Thy love unknown  
Has broken ev’ry barrier down;  
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine along,   
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.  

Just As I Am, without One Plea // LSB 570