The shock of personal sinfulness

Rev Enoch Thompson | April 5, 2023 | Matthew 26:20-25

KEY VERSE:

Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you." Matthew 26:25 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

The treachery of the human soul in the grips of sin was demonstrated abundantly in the events of Holy Week, so well as to make the gruesome sacrifice of the Lord in the offer of His sinless blood for our atonement understandable. Yesterday’s reflections showed us how evil a thief can be, as to be part of the Jesus Team, to steal from the Jesus Fund, to criticise the good done to Jesus and then conspire to sell the Team Leader Jesus. As if all of that was not enough, we are today confronted with something to shock us further.

The Lord Jesus Christ did not mince words when He told His disciples "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me." Matt 26:21 (NIV). The statement was so painful it instilled sorrow in the hearts of the assembly of followers. Because it sounded so heinous, to think that such a fact was possible among them, and just in case it could be true with any of them the disciples began to seek from the Lord one after the other if perchance it was any of them.

Then Judas of all people, with all the thoughts he had harboured about the Saviour, the meeting he had had with the Pharisees, and his agreement to collect money to betray the Saviour also comes up with, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" What was happening with Judas here? We may learn a few things from Judas and his shocking question to the Lord.

It is possible that Judas was deliberately lying because one sin needs another sin to cover it up, and so he was covering treachery with lies. It was also possible that Judas was joining the chorus of the disciples in order to fit into the niceness of the company. Most worryingly it is also possible that Judas was taken over so much by the sin in his heart that his mind could not accept the fact that he was on the path to such depths of sin, having agreed to place the holy Son of God into the unholy hands of unholy people, in exchange for money! Maybe, Judas was in a state of confusion and denial, and could therefore ask the Lord, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" What blindness and insensitivity make me fail to see my sins? What wretchedness of a dead soul that I betray my Lord without knowing?

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Can we recall any instance of offence to the Lord, maybe not to the extent of selling the Saviour like Judas did, but choosing anything over and above the Lord Jesus? That must be shocking to the Lord, but should be more shocking to us, in view of all the Lord has done for us. May we come to the Lord in confession and receive grace to travel the rest of the journey.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, my mouth is shut, and my heart is broken, I am in shock and cannot believe that I have often sold you out for money, for fame, for human acceptance, for as little as nothing. My mind cannot understand how I ever choose to go against you in little and big things. Please forgive me, and help me to think right, believe right and live right. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!