When humans do not fear God

Rev. Enoch Thompson | September 7, 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:

In our dealings with our fellow humans, we sometimes prove unfaithful, hypocritical, subversive, and hateful without any amount of fear, for we are dealing with frail fellow humans whom we have under our control, or have so successfully maligned or even compromised, that they can do little to or against us. In politics, we may be emboldened to continue our impunity because we have succeeded in deceiving most of the people most of the time and we think we have become masters at people-control that we can do more and more of our disrespect of the masses.

As bad as the foregoing is one must shudder to think that sometimes we take our audacity into the very presence of God and thrust our puny forefingers into the nostrils of God, defiant and disregarding the all-knowing nature and all-powerfulness of God. We know in Matthew 26:14-16 that Judas had gone out to the enemies of the Lord Jesus and had covenanted with them a contract on the life of the Lord and had received a financial reward for his perfidy. We also know that in-between that dirty deal with the enemy and the Passover meal Judas had been looking just for the opportunity to make good his promise to hand the Lord over to those who hated His holy soul with burning hatred.

With all this in his wicked heart, Judas could still pretend before the one whose eyes are life-burning fire and say, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" What disrespect, what disregard of who the Lord Jesus is, what betrayal of our blindness when we allow Satan and his sinful venom to blind us so much that we become fearless of God and dare put the Lord to the test. When we sin and pretend to God that we have not we are fearless and daring, and we put the Lord to the test. When we hate our brethren and put out a web of hatred and a campaign to discredit them, and then pretend we love them, we tread where angels fear to walk.

When we take up Christian ministry and leadership and our motives are ulterior, we dare God and expose ourselves to open rebuke when God is sufficiently fed up with our insincerity and disrespect of His holiness. He spoke to Judas to the face, "Yes, it is you."

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Are you confronting God and daring Him by your pretence and duplicity? Do you spew poison in the body of Christ against others, and pretend you love them? Are you real in your claims of Christian discipleship, or are you just kidding God, and more so kidding yourself? Are you walking in the joy of the Lord or are you tickling yourself and laughing?

We must fear God and live in His holy presence with trembling and holy fear. Let’s start now on the path of humble submission and quick repentance before we receive God’s open rebuke.

PRAYER:

Dear God, please forgive me when blinded by my limited sight and poor understanding of who you are, have disrespected who you are by daring your knowledge and power.

Please help me to be true and open before the One to whom all things lie open and exposed. Thank you for answering me for Jesus’ dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! ___________________________ DAILY word study: YOU HAVE SAID SO The phrase "You have said so" is translated from the Greek words "σὺ εἶπας" (su eipas)

"σὺ" (su): This is the Greek pronoun for "you," referring to the person being addressed.

"εἶπας" (eipas): This is the second person singular form of the Greek verb "εἶπον" (eipon), which means "to say" or "to speak."

The phrase "You have said so" signifies Jesus' acceptance of Judas's acknowledgement. It carries an undertone of solemnity and inevitability, highlighting the fulfilment of a prophetic event. Jesus, in His response, does not deny Judas's role in the betrayal but affirms it.

This passage invites us to reflect on the gravity of Judas's actions and the weight of our own words and decisions. It serves as a reminder that our choices have consequences, and sometimes, acknowledging our actions, even when they are wrong, is the first step toward repentance and reconciliation.

Reflections: How does this interaction between Jesus and Judas remind you of the importance of acknowledging our actions and taking responsibility for our decisions? In what ways can you strive for honesty and humility in your own life?