I've been pondering over Judas a lot this month. He walked with Jesus for over three years. He heard the sermons, allowed his feet to be washed, and sat across from Jesus at the Passover meal. So, it is unfathomable to me how this man betrayed the Holy Son of God. Right?
After all, Judas was able to witness firsthand all of the glory of the Saviour, the power, the Love, the forgiveness, and yet when confronted with the sin in his own heart... he chose vengeance over repentance. He chose to justify his wicked heart instead of trusting in Jesus.
But let's take just a moment, search our own hearts and say we are not so different. (I just lost a few people and angered others but this truth still remains.)
We like to think we would never betray Jesus, and we like to tell ourselves that what we do is completely opposite of Judas but is it really so different? Have we not betrayed Him with a kiss in our own ways?
When we attend church week after week going through the motions but never fully surrendered to Jesus. We stand and mumble a few words but we don't truly worship our Holy God. When we treat people like dirt and take advantage of situations, all the while proclaiming the name Christian to the world.
How about when the Holy Spirit pricks our hearts to go and tell the good news to someone or to share hope with a difficult person and we never go?
I know we say it's different we are not crucifying our Lord but aren't we...
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.
- Hebrews 6:6
Let me encourage you to spend some time alone with the Lord asking Him to search your heart and help you see if there are any areas of your life that could be cleansed for His Glory! (I know I'm going to!) Spend time praising Him for giving everything for you before you even knew you needed Him.
Lord, may we always be open to the pricking of our hearts. May we respond in repentance and not justification or vengeance. In Jesus' Name, Amen
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