Judas Iscariot went to church with Jesus for more than three years. He walked with the Lord, he talked with the Lord, he witnessed the many miracles that Jesus performed, and he also heard the many lessons Jesus taught as well as the greatest sermon ever preached, The Sermon on the Mount.
Judas saw thousands of people gather at the feet of Jesus to hear the Master's words, and he saw thousands of people come out of their homes and villages to see Jesus when they heard that Jesus was passing by.
Finally, on the eve before Christ would die in Jerusalem, Judas sat with Jesus and the other disciples to eat the Passover Feast, and he also participated in the memorial that Jesus established, which we call the Last Supper, and he ate the bread and drank the wine. Thereafter, Judas turned his face against Christ, went out into the darkness, and walked on death row.
The next day would become an important time in human history, a day that would never be forgotten: while Jesus was dying for the sins of the world on a cross, Judas Iscariot committed suicide by hanging himself.
For more than three years, Judas knew that Jesus is the Son of God. But for more than three years and consumed with pride, Judas could not humble himself at the feet of Jesus and be saved from his sin. In his mind, Judas knew the truth of Jesus; but with his heart, he could not accept the Lord as Savior.
In like manner, many people have been to church with Jesus over the course of the past 2000 years. They have heard the lessons Judas heard, the sermons Judas heard, and the miracles that Judas saw. In their minds, many people know that Jesus is the Son of God; but, like Judas, they cannot humble themselves at the feet of Jesus and be saved from their sin. Like Judas, they participate in the Lord's Supper, or communion service, and eat the bread and drink the wine. And like Judas, they eventually turn their faces against Christ and walk on death row. Too proud to admit they are sinners, and too proud to be saved by the Lamb of God. Instead, they cling to their church membership, their water baptism, and their participation in other rites and rituals for salvation, and not by Christ alone.
Knowing Christ is a spiritual birth: a time when we are awakened from spiritual death to spiritual life. And just as a baby weeps at birth, so do new believers when they awaken in their new birth with Christ: for tears is the evidence of humility.
Judas Iscariot refused to be awakened---and so do all people who turn their faces against Christ.
Judas saw thousands of people gather at the feet of Jesus to hear the Master's words, and he saw thousands of people come out of their homes and villages to see Jesus when they heard that Jesus was passing by.
Finally, on the eve before Christ would die in Jerusalem, Judas sat with Jesus and the other disciples to eat the Passover Feast, and he also participated in the memorial that Jesus established, which we call the Last Supper, and he ate the bread and drank the wine. Thereafter, Judas turned his face against Christ, went out into the darkness, and walked on death row.
The next day would become an important time in human history, a day that would never be forgotten: while Jesus was dying for the sins of the world on a cross, Judas Iscariot committed suicide by hanging himself.
For more than three years, Judas knew that Jesus is the Son of God. But for more than three years and consumed with pride, Judas could not humble himself at the feet of Jesus and be saved from his sin. In his mind, Judas knew the truth of Jesus; but with his heart, he could not accept the Lord as Savior.
In like manner, many people have been to church with Jesus over the course of the past 2000 years. They have heard the lessons Judas heard, the sermons Judas heard, and the miracles that Judas saw. In their minds, many people know that Jesus is the Son of God; but, like Judas, they cannot humble themselves at the feet of Jesus and be saved from their sin. Like Judas, they participate in the Lord's Supper, or communion service, and eat the bread and drink the wine. And like Judas, they eventually turn their faces against Christ and walk on death row. Too proud to admit they are sinners, and too proud to be saved by the Lamb of God. Instead, they cling to their church membership, their water baptism, and their participation in other rites and rituals for salvation, and not by Christ alone.
Knowing Christ is a spiritual birth: a time when we are awakened from spiritual death to spiritual life. And just as a baby weeps at birth, so do new believers when they awaken in their new birth with Christ: for tears is the evidence of humility.
Judas Iscariot refused to be awakened---and so do all people who turn their faces against Christ.
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