22 Aug 2026
Four Checks From God
It's one thing to follow Christ. It's another thing to surrender to Him. In this episode, Dave digs into Matthew 26 and the Last Supper, where every disciple (including Judas) asks Jesus, "Surely you don't mean me?" Dave unpacks how Judas could sit at the table, hear Jesus teach, and still walk away unsurrendered, then traces that same tension into modern stories of costly surrender: Mel Gibson betting $45 million on The Passion of the Christ with no distributor lined up, Jonathan Roumie's rock-bottom testimony before landing the role of Jesus in The Chosen, Alice Cooper risking his career to go public about his faith, and Sylvester Stallone turning down a fortune to protect his vision for Rocky. The question underneath it all: what are you still holding back from God?
In This Episode
Why proximity to Jesus isn't the same as discipleship - Judas sat at the table, heard the teaching, and still pursued his own agenda.
How Judas's objection to Mary's expensive perfume (John 12) exposed what he was really protecting: money, not principle.
The chilling detail behind the 30 pieces of silver - it was the Old Testament price for a slave gored by an ox (Exodus 21:32).
What we refuse to surrender in private eventually shapes what we do in public.
Common things people quietly withhold from God: relationships, private habits, financial control, bitterness, unforgiveness, ambition, reputation, schedule, and self-made plans.
Four real-life stories of costly, public surrender — and what happened after.
A challenge to stop asking "what's in it for me" and start asking God to show you His plan.
Scripture Referenced
Matthew 26:20–25 — Jesus predicts His betrayal at the Last Supper
Matthew 26:14–16 — Judas negotiates with the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver
John 12:4–6 — Judas objects to Mary anointing Jesus with expensive perfume
Exodus 21:32 — the price set for a slave killed by an ox
Stories of Surrender
Mel Gibson — The Passion of the Christ (2004) Gibson self-funded the film through his own company, Icon Productions, spending roughly $30 million on production and another $15 million on marketing — about $45 million total — without a distribution deal secured. Early accusations of antisemitism made it hard to find a U.S. distributor. He found one anyway: the film grossed $612 million worldwide, became the fifth highest-grossing film of 2004 internationally, the highest-grossing Christian film of all time (inflation-adjusted), the highest-grossing independent film of all time, and the highest-grossing R-rated film in the U.S. at $370 million — a record that stood for 20 years. It earned three nominations at the 77th Academy Awards (Best Makeup, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score). Two sequels, The Resurrection of the Christ, Part One and Part Two, are slated for 2027 and 2028.
Jonathan Roumie — the actor who plays Jesus in The Chosen Before landing the role, Roumie woke up one Saturday in 2018 roughly $100 overdrawn, deep in debt, and out of work. He got on his knees and surrendered — quoting Matthew 11:28 out loud: "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." That afternoon, four checks arrived in the mail totaling $1,100. A week later, another check equal to all four combined arrived. Three months later, he got the call asking him to audition for The Chosen.
Alice Cooper The rock musician known for his shock-rock stage persona began following Jesus and decided to go public about it, despite his manager warning it could end his career. Instead, he experienced a career resurgence, selling out concerts at a level he hadn't seen in years.
Sylvester Stallone — Rocky (1976) While nearly broke, Stallone was offered $360,000 for the script to Rocky. He turned it down, believing so strongly in the project that he insisted on starring in it himself for a fraction of the money — around $35,000 — rather than let go of his vision.
Reflection Question
What's one thing you're still holding on to instead of handing it over to God — and what would it look like to surrender it today?
Links & Resources
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