Do Not Betray The Lord
Rev. Tse Amable | July 11, 2024 | John 13:18-30
KEY VERSE:
“After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, ‘I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, ONE OF YOU IS GOING TO BETRAY ME.’”. John 13:21 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
Judas Iscariot has carved his name in history for the wrong reasons. In the whole world, he is regarded as the worst sinner who ever lived. I do not know of any parent who had named his son “Judas Iscariot”. Nobody in his right mind, would choose that name for himself. Everybody remembers him as the disciple of Jesus Christ who betrayed his master for just 30 pieces of silver coins. To think that he used a kiss - an act done to show love and affection – as a sign to identify the Lord to his captors was the shocking aspect of the betrayal. No wonder Jesus Christ queried “JUDAS, ARE YOU BETRAYING THE SON OF MAN WITH A KISS?” (Luke 22:48).
In a way, all of us continue to betray the Lord whom we claim we love dearly in so many ways. To “BETRAY SOMEONE” means “to hurt someone who trusts you, such as a friend or relative by not giving help or by doing something morally wrong”. That means we also betray Jesus Christ whenever we yield ourselves to Satan to do his bidding in disobeying the Lord. We too betray Jesus Christ when we do not reciprocate the love he gave to us. We too betray Jesus Christ when we are afraid to confess him before men and women. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews wrote that persons who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit and who have tasted the goodness of the word of God are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace if they fall away. (Hebrews 6:4-6).
If Jesus Christ would stand before your congregation and say “ONE OF YOU IS GOING TO BETRAY ME”, can you in a clear conscience ask “Lord, is it I?”
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Reflect on your relationship with the Lord and identify areas in which you, by your words, attitude, actions, inactions, commissions and omissions have betrayed the Lord, Jesus Christ.
PRAYER:
Lord, I confess that I have also betrayed you in the past. I pray that you forgive me. I also pray that you strengthen me and help me to show my devotion and loyalty to you at all times. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: TRUTH
The word "truly" comes from the Greek "ἀμήν, ἀμήν" (amēn, amēn), often translated as "verily, verily" or "truly, truly." This phrase is used to emphasize the absolute certainty and importance of what is being said. It is a solemn affirmation of truth.
In John 13:21, Jesus reveals the painful truth of His impending betrayal by one of His disciples, using "truly" (amēn) to emphasize the gravity and inevitability of the event. This statement serves as both a prophetic announcement and a call for self-examination, highlighting Jesus' divine foreknowledge and understanding of human hearts. The declaration warns against the seriousness of betraying the Lord, urging believers to remain faithful and vigilant in their devotion to Christ and to recognize the subtle ways betrayal can manifest in daily actions and decisions.
Reflections:
In what ways can you ensure that your actions and decisions reflect loyalty and faithfulness to Jesus, avoiding the betrayal of your Lord?
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