Little sins become big sins, watch them!

Rev Enoch Thompson | April 4, 2023 | Matthew 26:14-16

KEY VERSE:

From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26:16 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

It has been said in a Ghanaian proverb that the smelliness of the vulture was with it before it was hatched from its mother’s egg. The essence of the proverb is that when people are evil it is something that is a part of them by nature. Though there are other people in the Bible by the name Judas, one Judas, Judas Iscariot, has gained a well-noted bad name as “the one who betrayed the Lord Jesus Christ.” Immediately following the anointing at Bethany from yesterday’s reflection, we see Judas stepping out to literally sell the Master to His enemies. The immediate manner in which the section for today follows the anointing event gives the impression that Judas was reacting to the apparent waste of the perfume poured on the Lord. In fact, John’s Gospel links the two: “⁴But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ⁵"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages. " John 12:4-5 (NIV).

The real reason for Judas’ reaction is given in John 12:6: “He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.” Judas was a thief, and he covered his thievery in the garment of a concern for the poor. Judas stole from whatever was in the coffers of the Jesus Team, and with the money that would have come into the coffers with the sale of the perfume and the deposit of a year’s wages under his control, Judas would have had the opportunity to steal more. But now, that opportunity was lost, and he had to find new ways to get more money. Now he would sell the Master Himself.

Judas had the opportunity to deal with his sin. I can imagine moments when just before or immediately after Judas had taken money from the Team coffers the Lord had given him a convicting eye contact as He did with Peter. Even at the Last Supper Judas would be given opportunity to turn from evil and pursue the right path. But he was a smelly vulture and must keep smelling. His little sins must grow to bigger sins. What a disaster for the human soul!

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Let’s look into our individual souls and see if there are lurking elements of sin that seek to rule our life. There are signs we could see, traces of anger, bitterness, gossip, lies, pride, a judgmental spirit, something that seeks to move us to the dark realms and to make us disregard the Master, and where possible make us betray Him. Let’s repent today, with tears and a determination to never succumb to them again.

PRAYER:

Dear Saviour and King Jesus, my Lord, I come with a repentant heart confessing the sinfulness that lurks in my soul and often overtakes my holy calling. I seek forgiveness and pledged with your help to never yield to the evil that crouches at my door. Please help me break from evil and to submit fully to you. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!