Attention is now turned to some New Testament examples of bargains with too high a price. Herod struck a deal with Salome. Mark 6:21-28 records the transaction. Herod celebrated his birthday with a great banquet, inviting many prominent men of Galilee. During the festivities, Salome danced. Herod was so impressed he offered anything she ask, up to half the kingdom. What she ask for was the head of John the Baptist. Herod felt compelled to pay with what she ask. Why did he?
Mark records for us that king Herod "was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her" (Mark 6:26). Herod bought into the idea he had to follow through on an oath even if it required him to commit murder. There was also the problem of maintaining his image before the others present. He bought the satanic idea that one cannot appear bad in the eyes of others. Herod felt he could risk what the others present might think if he did not follow through on the request. How often do people in our day and age take actions which are harmful to themselves or others because of "peer pressure" or a desire to "save face." All too often many people buy into the notion that what others think is the most important factor in determining what they do.
Consider another example, Judas. He was a companion of Jesus for three plus years. He saw the acts of compassion directed to the hungry, ill, demon possessed, and those sorrowing the death of a loved one. Judas heard the teaching of Jesus concerning riches, possessions, and the Lord’s teaching about the provision of our daily needs. He heard Jesus teach on the problem of serving two masters. Yet he made the decision to betray the Lord for 30 pieces of silver (see Matthew 26:14-16). Why? No doubt there was an attitude problem about money (John said Judas was the treasurer and a thief). What did Judas get? A surprise. Matthew 27:3,4 records "Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood." Judas bought the offer to betray him but apparently thought Jesus was not going to die. When it became obvious Jesus was on His way to death Judas was overcome with regret. But he could not undo what was done. His 30 pieces of silver, which once looked like a large appealing sum of money, suddenly looked very small and unappealing. The ultimate price for Judas’ bargain was the death of an innocent man. How many people today make a similar mistake, placing more value on money or things, and sell others out, only to discover too late that it was not worth it.
—Denny