Jesus at your Feast

Today’s Reading: John 7 and Psalm 109

 “For not even his brothers believed in him. Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. You go up to the feast. I am not[c] going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.”John 7:5-8

Jesus’ brothers. His actual brothers, the naturally born sons of Mary doubted Him. James, Joseph, Judas and Simon were actually a little embarrassed of Jesus. They advised him to go back to Judea and perform some more miracles so that his disciples can see his good works for themselves. They tell him:

“For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” John 7:4-5

Of course Jesus will eventually go to Judea to perform his most significant great work-his death and resurrection. Jesus says that it is not yet his time. He hasn’t come to live out his own will, He is fulfilling the will of his Father. I often find myself asking Jesus to act on my timeline. I want him to show Himself so that everyone around me can see what salvation looks like. As we move through this holiday season, so many of us will find ourselves at the table with our brothers or sisters. We’ll have the opportunity to place the focus on Jesus, or we can surrender to the consumerism that seems to overtake this sacred time. When we head to our own feast, can pause to connect with Jesus and thank Him for who he is and how he moves in our lives? When we run through the door of the shopping mall can we publicly acknowledge our Lord by greeting the bell ringer or purchasing a coat for someone in need.

In the United States, we have the privilege of teaching, preaching and worshiping publically with little fear of persecution…but are we too embarrassed of our Jesus? Even as we call ourselves his brothers or sisters, do we shy away from proclaiming His glory? I’m working on this within myself. I love the things of this world. I sometimes look to beautiful things to fill me up rather than relying on Jesus. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, I’m praying that each of us can be a witness to the coming of our Lord. For unto us a child is born. Lord help us to teach our children to rejoice in you and only you. May we be strengthened and emboldened by your Spirit to be our true gift of salvation.

Comfort

John 6, Psalms 108

As I look back on my life and the choices I’ve made, I find a startling reality.  Most of the time, I seek comfort.  What does that mean exactly?  Comfort is the absence of pain, stress and exertion.  Easy is another way to define it.  Today’s reading of John 6, has me asking questions about Jesus and comfort.   Specifically, am I choosing Jesus so that my life will be easier and, therefore, comfortable?

The answer to that question can be found in our prayers and private thoughts.  For example, when we pray, or wish, for a better paying job, a new car or another sale, aren’t we really asking to be more comfortable?  Don’t get me wrong, those prayers are ok and I do think that God honors them, but we have to be careful.  You see, when God provides for our needs, we may reduce him to a sort of Santa Clause, loving him for all the ways he make us comfortable.  Thankfully, Jesus knew that this is our weakness.  In fact, shortly after feeding the 5,000, the crowd followed him to Capernaum.  Their arrival prompts him to give this admonition,

Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”

He wanted them to understand why they were seeking him.  And, if it is to be fed, there is a problem.  His goal is not to feed us so that our bellies are full.  In other words, he is not about our comfort.  No, He is about who we become internally and eternally.  He is talking about our soul.  Thinking back to our own prayers, is see that this is why God doesn’t answer our prayers.  According to James 4:3, 

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” 

What would it look like if we focused our prayers and private thoughts on the condition of our souls and His deity rather than our comfort?  This is the bread of life that Jesus is talking about.  It is “soul food.”  We will do well to remember this as we wish and pray.  I am reminded of a comment in the book Soul Keeping.  John Ortberg recounts Dallas Willard’s words, who says, “Your soul is not just something that lives on after your body dies. It’s the most important thing about you.  It is your life.”  That is a scary comment to me.  In fact, it makes me very un-comfortable Why?  Because souls are unknown places.  I don’t understand what lives there and I don’t  know what to do about it.  But, Jesus does.  He is dying for us to ask Him about it.  Pray and wish that with me this week.

“The Impossibly Impossible is Possible with God”

Today’s reading is John 5 and Psalm 107.

John 5 begins with Jesus healing a man who could not walk. He, and many other who were sick or crippled, hung out around a pool in Jerusalem with a spring under it causing the water to bubble up very briefly. They believed if you went into the water while it was bubbling you would be healed. This sounds simple, but we can tell here that the water did not bubble long and many wanted in making it very competitive to make it in time before it stopped.

Jesus could have just healed this man, but I find it very interesting that instead He asks the man in John 5:6, “Do you want to be healed?” It seems like an obvious answer right…”well..duh..yeah!” However, the text tells us that the man had not been able to walk over 38 years, and it’s likely that life expectancy was in the 40s-50s which basically his entire life. Instead of saying yes, he gives an excuse in John 5:7, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up and while I’m going another steps down before me.”

How many times in our lives does Jesus ask us like the man, “Do you want to be healed?” We don’t hear him though, nor do we hear the people He puts in our lives or see the signs. I think of the movie Bruce Almighty with Jim Carrey. Bruce’s life is falling apart, and he finally calls out to God asking for help and a sign while he’s driving. He doesn’t even see the “Caution Ahead” blinking construction sign, and then proceeds to get mad and pass a truck loaded with stop, caution, and yield signs. He keeps going not seeing any of this and next thing you know he wrecks his car into a light pole. How many times do we miss the signs and people Jesus puts in our life saying in some way, “Do you want to be healed?” I may have mentioned this in the past, but when going on my street ministry mission trip this summer, it was very apparent that strong believers saw proof of God in the beauty of His creation and good in people, as where non-believers saw bad things going on in the world around as proof that God does not exist. When you are going to church, praying, reading the Word, and in a small group (close community) with other believers you are more likely to see God’s signs and hear his voice calling to you and tugging on your heart. As our Pastor Mike Baker once said, “Seeing is not believing. Believing is seeing.” I had to think about this one, but when you are looking for God and listening to His voice you will see and hear Him. If you’re not looking for Him, you’ll miss Him and His awesome wonders. Psalms 107:41-43 says, “but he raises the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its moth. Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.”

Often times, I know I see God’s signs and hear Him calling and tugging at my heart, but like the man, I give an excuse. As my personal coach Jason Selk says, we all fall prey to the trap of the viable excuse. He says the viable excuse comes as truth, fact, and reason. He says we are tricked by it because there is always an element of truth in it. The man’s excuse is totally viable and has truth in it…he can’t walk to make it into the pool, and he also has no one to take him. Our excuses are viable too when God comes calling. “I’m too busy, That will take too much work. I don’t have time for that.” Or my personal favorite, “ I can’t do it (not capable).” Why is that my favorite? Because it’s the most viable excuse…you’re right, you can’t do it. But, He can! This man couldn’t walk for 38 years and so he couldn’t walk to the pool, but Jesus could heal him and whatever you are going through…He can heal you, too. Chad Parker, CEO of Cybernautic and founder and executive director of GOYA ministries said this week at GOYA’s annual banquet, “The impossibly impossible is possible with God!” So cool, and so true.

If you don’t follow Christian musical artist Toby Mac on social media, I highly recommend it. He posts some very inspirational messages. One he posted a few months ago hit me in such a way that I now have it posted on my bathroom mirror. You can see it as the picture for today’s writing. It is a beautiful night sky with the stars and a person staring up with the quote, “I made all of this out of nothing. Trust me, I can take care of you.” Signed God. Wow! How true is that?! We hold on too tight and think we are in control (but we realize we have no control really so we stress) and forget He is in control. Our finite minds can’t figure out how a situation will work out for the good…but He can. Actually, He already has. We just have to let go and realize He’s the Creator. He’s in control. He’s got this. Most importantly, He’s got you. Just listen for his voice asking you if you want to be healed. Then, no excuses. Trust him and just…”Get up, take up your bed and walk.” John 5:8

The woman at the well

John 4

I am always intrigued when I read this story. It seems like such a random encounter, two people meeting at a well, just like if two people struck up a conversation at Starbuck’s. However, I doubt any of Jesus’ encounters were random. This setting was not just “a well”; it was Jacob’s well. These meetings were part of the plan of touching so many individuals in unique ways, with unique circumstances at unique points in time when people needed him most.

When you read this story, you could almost picture the drama involved. A man starts talking to a woman. My first reaction would have been to walk away either out of fear or just being uncomfortable. She did not leave. Jesus spoke to this Samaritan woman at the well, which, as a Jew, was against his customs.

It was said to have been a very hot day. He and the disciples had travelled part way from Jerusalem to Sychar on their way to Galilee. Jesus came to the well for a drink, and in the middle of the day, the Samaritan woman was there drawing water. Why was she there in the middle of the day? Well, we can ascertain that she didn’t’ want to talk to anyone. Given her storied past filled with five husbands, she knew people talked about her and she most likely was not a popular female in town.

When he asked for a drink, she must have been confused for he had not jar or anything to lower down into the well for the water. Was he asking to use her jar? Her unclean jar, thus making Jesus unclean? Confusion! He carried on by not really taking a drink but describing to her “living water”. He was sharing the word and giving her forgiveness so that she too could have eternal life. He shared with her that he knew the story of her husbands. Again, shock. The conversation continues and she speaks about her faith in the Messiah. Jesus answers with “I who speak to you am he.”  I would have been thinking, “Is this really happening? Is this real?”

Three outcomes occur: 1) the Samaritan woman is given forgiveness based on her faith and understands now the living water of eternal life. Jesus saved her through grace. 2) She goes to share the word with others, to be a disciple. 3) Jesus shows that he does not judge. He went against some long standing “rules” to make a difference in this woman’s life and to heal her of her storied past. How amazing and wonderful.

I walk away from this reading with the thought of what a conversation can do to transform someone. Could you and I make a difference in a stranger’s life or even their day? Could we influence an acquaintance who maybe we don’t know that well but if we took the time to chat, we might influence his or her day? I know I need to try harder as I shy away from these types of encounters.

As you read this message today, see if there is a way to make a difference. As you read Psalm 106, please pray:

Save us, O Lord our God,
and gather us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
and glory in your praise.

48 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, “Amen!”
Praise the Lord!

Familiar Words

John 3:16. What does this make you think of? This verse is probably one of the most well-known in the Bible, recognized by believers and non-believers alike. It is certainly quoted more often than many other verses. When I read the words “John 3:16”, a few images pop into my mind. I see a person holding up a large sign toward the camera at a football game. I picture a person in a city, standing on a box at a street corner, calling out the words of this verse to anyone who will listen.

My most vivid memory, though, is from when I was around nine years old. I remember walking in downtown Boston with my parents and my sister. A man handed me a small piece of paper as our family walked by; the only writing on it was this: “John 3:16”. I wonder if he thought I knew the verse? Or maybe he assumed that I would be curious enough to go look it up, to read the words for myself. Having grown up attending church, I did know the verse. But I did not know Christ, and because of this, I did not truly understand this verse. It made no impact on me that day.

It does now.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)

Today, I understand those words in a way I did not, could not, 40 years ago. I did not understand what it meant to have a personal relationship with Christ until I was almost 30 years old. So I know from experience how it feels to live life not knowing my Savior – and I know what it means to walk through life now, knowing Him. Since I became a believer, I have seen people I love put their faith in Christ and subsequently change in ways I could not have imagined. I have witnessed miracles.

Today, John 3:16 represents new life to me. Changed life. A saved life. And we need that now, don’t we? Our world needs that. Today, as you read John 3 in its entirety, pause for a moment. Be still. Think about the words you are reading; ponder them in your heart and treasure them as Mary did (Luke 2:19). Give thanks for Christ’s ongoing work in your life and on your behalf, and pray for those you know who do not yet know Him. Finally, rest in this truth: “Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…” (John 3:33 – 36).

I am praying for each one of you who reads this today.

Believe

Today’s reading is John 2 and Ps 104

Shortly after Jesus gathers His disciples and starts spending time with them, He attends a wedding with His mom and His new disciples. I’m guessing that it was either a family wedding or a close family friend getting married because when the party runs into a snag, somebody let’s “Aunt Mary” know that there is a problem that needs solving quickly. The party has run out of wine and the festivities are far from over. This issue requires a remedy to keep the host from being completely ashamed and embarrassed in front of his entire guest list, and the happy couple celebrating their special day with all their friends and family. Mary knows who her Son is and knows He can change this situation so she tells Him that they are out of wine. Jesus seems reluctant to step in and do a miracle because He hasn’t publically or maybe officially started His ministry. He is not ready for the entire town to hear about Him yet, maybe because He hasn’t had enough time to teach and train His disciples for the ministry they are about to embark on. The time isn’t right for a big public display, the kind of story that will spread like wildfire through families, friends and towns. So Jesus discreetly goes in the back room with the servants, gives them some simple instructions and returns to His seat. The party continues. The host is praised for saving his best wine for last, the happy couple continues their celebration and the guests are having a lovely evening enjoying a great party. But something else happens. Look at verse 11. “His disciples believed in Him.” Why would John make mention of this? What makes him document the disciples belief? Isn’t it obvious that they believe because they left their families, homes and jobs to follow Him?

 

Today, let’s consider the depth and expanse of the meaning of “believe”. I started my relationship with Jesus at a young age. 45+ years later I am sure that my commitment and declaration of belief in Jesus was very real and sincere when I prayed with my mom asking Jesus into my heart. I would say that the next 8-12 years after my declaration were a time of learning about Jesus and His expectations for my life. After that training period, my belief was tested in very real ways by other people in my life asking questions about the reasons I chose to live the way I lived. They were questioning my motives, and for me to make my belief my very own and not just information passed down by my parents, my belief grew deeper and more resilient to keep up with my need to answer others. Then I got married and we had kids. My belief had to grow again to accommodate the discipline I needed to teach our kids truth. Then I got sick. My illness was serious enough that we spent several months, maybe years not sure if I would survive. This required a new type of belief and trust than I had ever even considered possible. Did I believe that God loved my husband and kids more than I did? Did I trust Him to care for them if I couldn’t be here? This kind of “believe” looks different than the 4 year old kind. I would say that initial belief is very real and genuine even if it is simple belief, but the more we experience of God and His work in our lives, the deeper and more broad our belief grows. The disciple’s belief and commitment was real and genuine when they left their lives to follow Jesus, and their belief and trust grew from each experience they lived through with Jesus. This miracle at the wedding was one of, if not the first miracle that they saw and experienced. Before this experience at the wedding, Jesus was talk and ideas. When they experienced what He could do, this was noteworthy. Vs 11, “His disciples believed in him”.   

If you need a refresher or just want some extra assurance that your God is worth believing in today, read through ps 104 and see how He cares for earth and the creatures He created. Vs 31, “May the glory of the Lord continue forever! The Lord takes pleasure in all he has made!” Let all that I am praise the Lord!

You Haven’t Seen Anything Yet

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” (Eph. 3:20)

Has God ever stopped you in your tracks? Have you ever been so blown away by what God did that you just had to pause and let it sink in for a bit? Even though you know how big God is, has His work in your life ever still stunned you?

I’m guessing you probably would answer “yes” to each of these questions. And so could I. I’ve known the Lord since I was little, and yet He still blows me away on the daily with His incredible faithfulness, mercy, love, and goodness in my life. There are certainly seasons where He seems far away, but He never is, and in the end, I ultimately can look back and know that He showed up for me even when I couldn’t see Him or feel Him.

I haven’t been around for decades upon decades yet, but I can imagine that by the time I am, I’ll have millions of stories about both the little and the big ways God showed up in my life. Part of me can’t wait to be there and look back on everything, but my story is still in the midst of unfolding now.

Here’s the thing, though: Sometimes, I have to think God must be a bit surprised (if God ever gets surprised, that is!) that Christians haven’t yet caught on to the fact that He’s pretty powerful… or that we’re blown away by something small in comparison to what He’s actually capable of doing.

A situation just like this unfolds at the end of John 1, the passage we’re focusing on today. In John 1:35-51, Phillip, one of Jesus’ disciples, was so overcome by the fact that he’d found the Son of God that he immediately had to bring his friend Nathanael along, too. However, Nathanael was hesitant at first, and he didn’t believe Phillip had really found the Messiah. Verse 45 of John 1 (The Message) says,

Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, “We’ve found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It’s Jesus, Joseph’s son, the one from Nazareth!” Nathanael said, “Nazareth? You’ve got to be kidding.”

But Philip said, “Come, see for yourself.”

47 When Jesus saw him coming he said, “There’s a real Israelite, not a false bone in his body.”

48 Nathanael said, “Where did you get that idea? You don’t know me.”

Jesus answered, “One day, long before Philip called you here, I saw you under the fig tree.”

49 Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi! You are the Son of God, the King of Israel!”

50-51 Jesus said, “You’ve become a believer simply because I say I saw you one day sitting under the fig tree? You haven’t seen anything yet! Before this is over you’re going to see heaven open and God’s angels descending to the Son of Man and ascending again.”

All it took for Nathanael to believe was Jesus telling Nathanael He’d known him even before Phillip had thought to call Nathanael along on this journey. Now, Nathanael is displaying some admirable faith, for sure… but I love Jesus’ line at the end of verse 50:

“You haven’t seen anything yet!”

While Jesus was referencing the fact that Nathanael was about to have a front row seat to the single most important event in human history, I have to believe this statement is true for our lives also. We think God has been faithful to us in our past? He has even more faithfulness to give throughout the rest of our lives. We wonder if God’s finished using us for His glory after a season has come to an end? There is always more that He is waiting to call us to in the days to come. We saw God work a miracle or show up in a situation a few years ago? He is capable of showing up in even bigger and MORE miraculous ways in years to come. And on top of all of these things, we have the ultimate hope of heaven to look forward to after this life is all over.

Whether we’re talking about life here on earth or life after earth in heaven, God is not done with us, friends. And we haven’t seen anything yet. I’m thankful to know and believe that truth today.

A True Friend

The Apostle John is a true friend of Jesus Christ and we have the fortune to be able to get a glimpse of the time and life of Jesus through this individual. The Gospel of John is one that shakes off all the coverings of the life of Christ and gets down into the truth and grit of the life of Christ. In the opening passage of the book, we are given a profound and eye opening picture of Christ.

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

This proclamation is the first to address the divinity of Christ in relation to God. As is relayed in my Life Application Study Bible “John shows that Jesus is fully human and divine. Although Jesus took upon himself full humanity and lived as a man, he never ceased to be the eternal God who has always existed.”

Throughout this gospel, we are given an eyewitness account of Jesus life and John gives us the play-by-play commentary.   John was with Christ when he performed the first miracle in Cana. John was with Christ during the Transfiguration with Elijah and Moses. John was with him in the Garden of Gethsemane. John was with him throughout the trials and crucifixion. John was there until the end and beyond. John is a true friend that will not stop believing or following no matter the challenge or the circumstances.

As we read and grow through this gospel, may we seek to become intimate with Christ to the extent that we will go to the cross with him and not deny him. Lets be a true friend to Christ.

 

Go – Baptize – Preach

Sometimes it is intriguing to think back on my “growing up” years. I will be the first to admit that I never would have gone to church or been part of choir and youth group without my parents insisting that I be involved. As I reluctantlly was a part of these things, I am amazed at the seeds that were planted during that time.  (Side note…parents, don’t be afraid to insist that your kids are participate  in activities that they would rather not be part of.)  There have been numerous times over the past years that something pops into my mind from what I learned back in those days. Today is no different.

Our reading today is Matthew 28. As I was reading the passage, two songs immediately came to mind from my days in the Church Choir back in the 80s. The first is a song we sang called “Go Ye Therefore and Teach all nations, Go, Go, Go”. The second song I recall is from a musical we performed and all I remember is “God, please don’t send me to Africa” I recall at the time seriously thinking about that and what my life would look like if God really sent me to Africa. (I know some of you reading this were in that same musical and are singing the song in your head right now:)

Matthew 28:18-20:
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to by everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The above 3 verses are known to us today as The Great Commission. It is Jesus’ last earthly message to his disciples. This is the message that Jesus wants his disciples to remember as his final command. He instructed them that He wants them to do 3 things:
1 – Go and make disciples
2 – Baptize them
3 – Teach them all that I have commanded you

Can you imagine how you would feel if Jesus appeared before you (after being crucified on the cross and put in a tomb) and commanded you to do these 3 things?? Would you be ready? Does this mean you have to pack your bags and get on the quickest trip to Africa?? How do you suppose the disciples reacted to this command?

The reality is, the Bible is Jesus’ way of speaking to us and commanding us to do what He wants of us. And guess what, He is asking us or commanding us to do what He asks of the disciples!

Go – Baptize – Teach!

What excuses do we bring to the table when we think about doing these 3 things? Personally, I think about my daily life and how busy I am. I have responsibilities to my husband, my children, to dos for work, errands, keeping up with household chores, and the numerous other events that pop up daily. There are so many reasons that I am too busy to “go and teach all nations!”

But, Jesus is asking us, just as He did His disciples, to preach the Gospel every day, right where we are (while some are called to Africa). We can preach the Gospel every day: by what we say, how we say it, what we do and how we do it! Every day we have the ability to “preach the Gospel” without saying a word. We can “preach the Gospel: simply by who we are, what we do and how we do it!

We have to make this a daily choice to live our lives in a loving and generous way to all those we encounter.

Thankfully, we don’t Go – Baptize – Teach on our own! Jesus ends this command to “go” with a promise of His presence. He says in verse 20, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus promises this to the disciples and also to everyone of us! He is saying to us, “don’t worry, I got your back! I will be with you!”

Where is Jesus sending You? Where has He sent you? Is it in your community, your work place, your family, or maybe Africa? Where is it that Jesus is commanding you to go make disciples? Wherever it is, He promises to go with you.

Jesus being our ever present help gives us the opportunity for a closer relationship with Him daily. “I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.”  Oh what great words of courage and confidence that Jesus gives us today. If you abide in Christ and Christ abides in you, here is another one of God’s promise to you today… Joshua 1:5 says, “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” God promises never to leave me nor forsake me. I need to let that sink in my brain and my heart daily, sometimes hourly! We can rest in the promise of God in knowing that He will be with us ALWAYS, even unto the end of the age. There is never a time when He is not present with us. So, don’t be afraid of what God has commanded us to do..
GO – BAPTIZE – PREACH

Think Ahead

Matthew 27, Psalm 100

when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind ~Matthew 27:3

Today, in Matthew 27, we read about Judas’ victory. Or, at least, what Judas thought was going to be his victory.  He finally achieved what he set out to do.  There are two reasons, I surmise, for Judas’ choices.  One is money and the other is acceptance.

Consider first that Judas was the keeper of the purse for the apostles.  Not because he was specially gifted with finances, however.  No, Judas was concerned with the amount of money in the purse.  Not for the benefit of Jesus, or humanity, but for his own gain.  This is evident in John 12:1-8.  Judas was, in fact, greedy for monetary gain.  HIs relationship with Jesus was nothing more than a vehicle to gain wealth. Perhaps, that is why he was willing give up Jesus’ location for 30 pieces of silver.  Unfortunately, 30 pieces of silver is only about $600 in todays dollars.  There must be a secondary motivation for his choices.

Perhaps Judas was also looking for the respect of men.  Looking back to Matthew 26:14-16, Judas was hanging out with men opposed to Jesus.  Given his position, I imagine that they did not fully trust him.  Maybe they made fun of him for being with Jesus.  Maybe Judas wanted to be liked by them.  We all do stupid things when we are seeking the approval of men.  I imagine Judas puffing himself up with stories about Jesus and the Apostles.  Eventually, to build creditability, he chooses to make a grand gesture.  In this case, it was about selling Jesus’ location. 

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

Once Jesus was condemned, however, Judas rethought his choices.  In fact, he realized that he was on the wrong side.  I can only guess why.  Honestly, its like most things of this world.  We all choose things that will serve our wants and build our own credibility and not the kingdom’s.  Seriously, think about a time when you were tempted to compromise your values for something that you would gain.  Maybe its an oversight on your taxes or taking credit for work so that your boss will see you in a better light.  Maybe, like Judas, we are ok with your choices.  Until, you get caught and are able to see the bigger picture.  Perhaps we have all experienced what Judas felt in Matthew 27, realizing that our gain is actually a huge loss.  When that happens, don’t we do exactly what Judas did in verse 3?  We change our minds!  Sadly, for Judas, it was too late.  He could not see past his betrayal.  The only restitution he could think of was death.

We do have an option.  Today, and everyday, we can choose life.  Simply put all of my faith in Him and His goodness.  Nothing else.  Before, it’s too late.