Central Truth

The Temple priests knew that the blood of Judas tainted the money they paid for the betrayal of Jesus, so instead of breaking traditional Jewish law, they laundered the money to an approved endeavor to avoid feelings of guilt.

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Reflections

Money laundering is the process of creating the appearance that large amounts of money obtained from serious crimes, such as drug trafficking, originated from a legitimate source. In this passage, the Chief Priests who paid Judas to betray Jesus not only laundered money, but they laundered their own sins to not feel guilty about committing such a terrible crime.

The actions of the chief priests in this passage are not a foreign concept to this modern world. Avarice, indifference, and apathy were just as present then as they are today. We live in a world today where many of these concepts are disguised by phony altruism and worldly pursuits. 

In my own walk, I often have tried to justify a sinful behavior by representing a positive outcome. I remember trying to convince my parents that eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch was a part of a balanced breakfast. Or once telling a friend that I was just “borrowing” a possession, without having any intention of returning it. In my adolescence, lying to a friend because, in my mind, they would be “better off” not knowing.  Or in adulthood, cheating on an exam and rationalizing it with an “everyone else did, why can’t I?”

The justification of sin is never justified with our Lord. Although we can hide our sins behind veils of altruism, the Lord sees all things and judges accordingly. Yet, as often as we sin and our feeble minds try to rationalize it, we have the ability, every moment of every day, to be forgiven and redeemed by the blood of Christ.

If you are trying to launder your own sins clean, surrender them. God knows your heart, and will cleanse you from all that is unclean.

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Discussion Questions

1. What are some common sinful pursuits that society deems as "positive" or "productive"?

2. What sins in your life have you "laundered" or tried to rationalize?

3. How can you communicate with a friend who is trying to rationalize sinful behavior?

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