Matthew 26:14-16 Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give to me to deliver Him up to you?” And they weighed out to him thirty pieces of silver.

Often, we focus on the crucifixion’s impact and horror this week.  Many in the faith practice a Wednesday of quiet introspection and self-examination. But here we see more than a quiet waiting for something bigger to happen. We discover the price the established religious hierarchy will pay to shut someone up.  The price to silence the voice that proclaimed the grace and mercy of God.  The price some would pay to muffle the voice which invited all that were thirsty to drink of the water that would never run dry.  The truly sad part of this account is Jesus being betrayed not by an enemy but a friend.  Is thirty pieces of silver worth your silence?