Today's Scripture:

Zechariah 11:12-13 I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord.

Read: Reflect on a story in your life that pertains to this scripture.
The first thing this scripture tells me is that I should use the Ponder practice of parsing Bible verses more often. It's hard to understand these verses in Zechariah without the full context of the chapter. After I dug into it, it seems so simple. God uses Zechariah to illustrate Israel's rejection of God, and to foretell the Jews rejection of the Messiah. In both illustrations, Israel (like us) and Judas (like us) consider the Lord no more worthy than the lowest of society. 30 shekels / silver is worth about $265. Prophesying to the New Testament, that's all it took to buy Jesus' betrayal. There is no price that justifies it, but this amount is shameful.

Reflect: What is this scripture telling you during this season?
Do I put a price on Jesus? Selfish thoughts instead of generous outreach? Playing Tai Pei on my phone before my morning quiet time with Jesus? Replacing the posture of "inclusiveness" with judgment? Slumping in my posture of generosity when a homeless person asks for food or money? Grimacing inside when a lonely neighbor just needs a friendly ear? I've done all these, and regretted putting this price on Him every time. But God is faithful and forgiving of me. Every time.

Respond: How is this scripture calling you to respond?
Lord, help me eliminate the tendency to reject/devalue your nudgings any time a shiny/selfish thing catches my eye. As I reflect on my actions during Lent in of preparation for the crucifixion and resurrection, help me remember the value you place on Jesus: the weight of the world.

About Candy Aldridge:
In my career, I worked for 5 mayors and was HR Director of the City of Houston. In this third half of my life, retirement has opened up so many chances to become closer to God and to my precious husband of 37 years. Bill and I met in choir in the early 80s. I'm a lifelong Presbyterian, with the Rev. John Knox high up in my family tree.
I've been at Grace since shortly after I moved here from Houston. I've served as an elder and Clerk of Session, been a part of several strategic planning activities and have sung in the choir since 1980.