30 Pieces of Silver

30 pieces of silver  
The price paid to an owner of a slave gored by an ox.

If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty pieces of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull is to be stoned to death. Exodus 21:32

30 pieces of silver
The price paid to Zechariah for taking care of a flock of sheep.

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.  Zechariah 11:12

30 pieces of silver
The price of a slave. God noticed.

And the Lord said to me, "Throw it to the potter"--this magnificent sum at which they valued me! So I took the thirty coins and threw them to the potter in the Temple of the Lord. Zechariah 11:13

30 pieces of silver
The price paid to Judas for betraying Jesus.

Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you? So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.  Matthew 26:14-15

30 pieces of silver
30 pieces of silver

The price in human terms.

30 pieces of silver
30 pieces of silver


Christ's death on the cross
The ultimate price.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23

Straight From the News--612 BC

How long, O Lord, must I call for help?
    But you do not listen!
“Violence is everywhere!” I cry,
    but you do not come to save.
3 Must I forever see these evil deeds?
    Why must I watch all this misery?
Wherever I look,
    I see destruction and violence.
I am surrounded by people
    who love to argue and fight.
4 The law has become paralyzed,
    and there is no justice in the courts.
The wicked far outnumber the righteous,
    so that justice has become perverted.

1 Angel 2 Questions 2 Very Different Ourcomes

Luke 1:18
Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."

Luke 1:34
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

Unbelievable!

Both were given news.
Both were astounded.
Both questioned.
Zechariah was left mute.
Mary was blessed.

Gabriel is one of two angels named in the Bible.  This time his job was to deliver news of two unbelievable pregnancies.  Zechariah's wife, Elizabeth, was beyond child bearing and Mary was a virgin. Obviously, both Zechariah and Mary were overwhelmed and confused. Both questioned.

So why did God accept Mary's question and not Zechariah? I believe the answer is in the questions themselves. Zechariah looks at Gabriel.  The angel sent by God.  The angel who just said God had heard his prayer.  The angel who said this boy would be filled with God's spirit. And Zechariah asks, "How can I be sure?"  Since an angel from the Lord wasn't enough, Zechariah was struck mute.  This wasn't permanent.  After the baby was born and Zechariah confirmed that his name was "John," instantly he could speak again.  The first things out of his mouth--praises to God!

Then there was Mary. She, too, was given unbelievable news. Unheard of news! The difference between her question and Zechariah's is very subtle. "How can this be?"  She was a virgin.  This was incredible, unbelievable.  "How can this be?"  She needed to know how it was possible.  Zechariah needed to know how he could be sure. Both questioned "how." Mary--How can this be?  Zechariah--How can I believe? Both got their answers.  Mary was immediately willing and was blessed. She wrote a song of praise, probably while visiting Zechariah and Elizabeth. Zechariah's praise came after 9 months of silent reflection.