The woman who broke a jar of perfume over Jesus' head showed that she valued Him more than the wealth locked up in the fragrance (Matthew 26:6-9). In a tragic juxtaposition of events in the next narrative, Judas Iscariot, the treasurer for Jesus and a thief (John 12:6), proved that he prized the value of money much more highly than his relationship with Jesus Christ.
 
Put simply, Judas hated Jesus and only wanted what he could get out of Him to satisfy his addiction to money. Silver coins spoke of security to the dishonest treasurer. He knew that the chief priests were trying to find a way to get Jesus arrested and killed: he knew that they would pay almost anything to find a way to do it. And so Judas bargained with them. Eventually they handed over thirty pieces of silver, just as Zechariah had prophesied (Zechariah 11:12-13).
 
To us, betraying a perfect man who had done nothing but good is the height of stupidity. Why? Although Judas knew Him, heard His teaching and saw His miracles - his thieving lust was driving him, and he allowed Satan to enter him (John 13:27). Judas thought he was in control but it proved to be too great a burden to control God (Matthew 27:3-5).
 
Do we love Jesus for who He is, what He has done and how much He has loved us? Or do we love what we can get out of Him? The answer is not always what we think it might be because there is blindness in our sinful nature which helps us pretend that we are on His side, but really that is a ploy to get what we want. It may be religious power, or money or acceptance into a friendship group, or the buzz of religious activity … but it is all self-centred and has nothing to do with the glory of God. It is a shameful betrayal. Do not be a hypocrite any more – start by examining what you value most and compare that to Jesus. And if you value Jesus less, repent, and repent immediately.