Scripture: Matt 26
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”
Observations:
Jesus is celebrating His last Passover with His disciples on the night just before He was betrayed. He predicted His own betrayal and each of them responded by asking, “Surely you don’t mean me?” When it came to Judas’ turn to ask the question, he did just as the others. He asked Jesus, “Surely you don’t mean me?” Judas tried to deceive Jesus and the other disciples by hiding his plans to betray Jesus and responding with apparent surprise to His prediction.
Application:
I have to admit that I have gone along with what everyone else was saying on Sunday morning even though I didn’t mean it. I have given God lip service in church while having sinful plans on my heart: plans to hold a grudge, plans to be unkind to someone, plans to be selfish or to go against God’s will. Though we may be able to deceive our fellow disciples as Judas did, Jesus knows our heart. What Judas didn’t realize is that it wasn’t too late to repent and turn away from his sinful plans. The same is true for us. We hear God’s word and we think, “Jesus isn’t talking about me”, but He is talking about me! He is talking about me when God’s word says, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” He is also talking about me when He says, “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.” We can learn from Judas’ mistake. We can repent and change our plans before it’s too late.
Prayer:
Lord God, help me not to give You lip serve when I repent but change my heart so that I will change my sinful plans. Change my heart so that I will live according to Your word. In Jesus name, amen.