Be the Light That Will Guide Lost Souls to Saving Faith in Jesus Christ
Rev. Tse Amable | October 1 2024 | John 18:1-11
KEY VERSE:
“So JUDAS CAME TO THE GROVE, GUIDING A DETACHMENT OF SOLDIERS AND SOME OFFICIALS FROM THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND PHARISEES. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.” John 18:3 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
The story of Judas Iscariot is one of a man who had deserted his calling and pursued what was contrary to his divine assignment. We do not at what specific moment Jesus Christ called Judas Iscariot to follow him. We do know that when the Lord called Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, the unambiguous message was “Come, follow me and I will make you FISHERS OF MEN” (Matthew 4:19). From the gospel of Mark, we read that Jesus Christ “appointed twelve — designating them apostles — that they might be with him and THAT HE MIGHT SEND THEM OUT TO PREACH” (Mark 3:14). That means Judas Iscariot was called to the mission of preaching Christ. Sadly, he abandoned this divine assignment and was rather serving as the guide, leading soldiers to arrest his Master to be crucified.
Many times when we talk about Judas Iscariot, we have no mercy on him. We are unable to forgive him because we think betraying the Lord was unpardonable. But if we would patiently examine and analyse our own lives, we would agree that we are equally traitors.
📛 We betray Jesus Christ when we live lives contrary to the teachings and laws of Christ.
📛 We betray Jesus Christ when out of fear of losing some valuable material items, positions, etc., we fail to disclose our identity as a follower of Jesus Christ.
📛 We betray Jesus Christ when we fail to witness to the lost about Jesus Christ and instead join unbelievers to persecute followers of “THE WAY”.
📛 We betray Jesus Christ when we turn our backs to the truth we once believed. It is called “BACKSLIDING”. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews had this to say about that: “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace” (Hebrews 6:4-6). If you are a BACKSLIDDEN CHRISTIAN, you are doing exactly what Judas Iscariot did – guiding people to crucify Jesus Christ instead of leading them to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Examine yourself. Are you still in the faith? Are you living the life of a witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, guiding lost souls to find the Saviour?
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that the pressures of life sometimes make me betray you through the wrong choices, my actions and inactions. I confess that I have failed you and betrayed you in the past. Please, strengthen me and empower me to be a guide to the lost. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: GUIDE The word "guide" comes from the Greek term hodēgō (ὁδηγέω), meaning to lead, direct, or show the way. It carries the connotation of providing direction or helping someone find their path.
In John 18:2, the word "guide" refers to Judas Iscariot leading the soldiers to arrest Jesus. Instead of fulfilling his divine calling to lead others to Christ, Judas chose to lead them to betrayal, demonstrating how one's purpose can be corrupted. The word "guide" underscores the responsibility of believers to lead others toward the light of Christ. Just as Judas failed in his role, we are called to be faithful in guiding others to salvation, ensuring our actions reflect our faith. It serves as a reminder that our influence can either bring people closer to Jesus or lead them away.
Reflections:
Are you guiding others towards the light of Christ in your daily interactions? What steps can you take to ensure your life is a reflection of His love and truth, drawing others to saving faith?
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