By: Mimi Rothschild

“Greetings, Mr. Iscariot.” The bellhop said to the well-dressed man just entering the luxurious hotel. “Can I take your bags for you?”

“Sure. And, here, take this.” Mr. Iscariot handed the bellhop five pieces of silver, a handsome tip for such a meager task.

In his room, Mr. Iscariot ordered room service. He had bread and wine delivered, and with tip it costs him ten pieces of silver.

He sent his clothes down to be washed, ironed and folded. –Ten more pieces of silver for that.

He then left the hotel to see the surrounding town. With fare, a snack, and admission cost into the various museums and shops, he spent another five pieces of silver and had nothing really to show for it.

And with that, Mr. Iscariot had no silver left. That was all he had to his name, or was it? Everyone knew him. Some loved him, many others saw him as the reason they were free. He was never thanked though, beyond the thirty pieces of silver. But his name is still remembered over 2,000 years later for his actions and the 30 pieces of silver reward.

Judas Iscariot. The man who betrayed Jesus. Jesus forgave him. And today, I’d like to thank him for baring the cross of those pieces of silver and helping Jesus free me.