Sunday, March 20, 2011

Did you know.................... #17

I know I am writing back to back did you know posts on consecutive nights, but this was an interesting sermon snippet that I picked up today.

Did you know......................................................... that, at the Lord's Supper, when Jesus was revealing to His disciples who would betray him, all of the disciples, besides Judas, asked Jesus with, "Is it I, Lord?"  So, how did Judas answer the Savior?  Let's look at Matthew 26.

Matthew 26:20-25 says, "When it was evening, he reclined at the table with the twelve.  And as they were eating, He said, 'Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.'  And they were very sorrowful and began to say to Him one after another, 'Is it I Lord?'  He answered, 'He who has dipped his hand in the dish with Me will betray Me.  The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!  It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.'  Judas, who would betray Him, answered, 'Is it I, Rabbi?'  He said to him, 'You have said so.'"   

The betrayer, Judas himself, does not even acknowledge Jesus as his Lord.  Instead, He acknowledges him as his Rabbi (good teacher of the Law in Hebrew).  This revelation is significant simply because if you acknowledge Jesus as just a good teacher than your faith is in vain.  Look where Judas ended up.  Jesus said it would have been better if Judas would have never been born.  If Jesus, the Creator and Author of the universe, says that it would have been better if someone was not born, then it must be taken literally as a word of vast importance to those living on the outskirts/lukewarmness of the Christian faith.  Hey for that matter, it should be taken literally for all people headed to hell.  Some would argue that Jesus is specifically talking about Judas in this matter and only Judas.  But, I would argue that it would have been better for those on their way to hell to have never been born as well.  Have you read in Scripture how horrifying that place is?  It is way beyond your worst nightmare.  No one in their right mind would choose to go there.  However, those who live for themselves are traversing that broad road, which leads to destruction.  In the case of Judas, he virtually sealed his demise when he betrayed the Son of God.  May we never betray Him or even think of betraying Him.  Or, our demise will be the same.  Acknowledge Him as your Lord and never look back.  

"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

        

3 comments:

the Ink Slinger said...

I'd never picked up on the fact that Judas only referred to Christ as "rabbi" during that conversation. Very interesting, and very significant (as you pointed out).

Lilac Bud Gal said...

Hmm, that is really interesting.
Definitely a good post, and I agree with what you said.

In Christ's Service,
Sarah

ajfcello said...

Wow!! I never knew that! That is really interesting and important! Thanks for sharing that!