July 29, 2015
Learning from Judas’ Experience
Categories: Biblical
I’ve been considering Judas’ experience more closely since I was inspired to write a note about it earlier this week (Judas). I’ve also considered a concise way to describe the problem Judas grappled with; for it is a problem each of us must face.
It can be summed up in a quote found in the reading:
“Christ’s oft-repeated statement that His kingdom was not of this world offended Judas. He had marked out a line upon which he expected Christ to work.” {DA 718.1}
The Kingdom of Heaven runs on different principles to those which we are accustomed. These principles frequently cut across our own principles, tastes and inclinations. Our hearts are (naturally) strongly averse to these principles.
Choosing the Kingdom of Heaven will challenge every principle you hold, and every decision you make:
- The choice of diet
- The choice of schooling (academic, and otherwise)
- Inner issues: building character; handling anger, anxiety, disappointment, grief
- How you interact with others
- The choice of recreation
- Your choice to get married, and the choice of a life partner
- Your life ambitions
After three and a half years of ministry at Jesus’ side, performing great works for others, Judas was still at strong variance with these core principles; and his carnal desires grew greater, till he betrayed His master, and took His own life. His desire to have things his own way ultimately resulted in his death, and the loss of eternal life.
Settling for only conforming his outward appearance to Christ’s principles, he neglected the inner temple.
It’s not unnatural to struggle against the principles of Christ’s kingdom… this is why the road is described as strait and narrow (‘strait’ means difficult). We must struggle (at least initially) to conform to these principles.
My simple, solemn admonition today is to set aside a time of reckoning to discover if your own principles have trumped Christ’s, as did Judas.
* * *
Then Jesus said to His disciples,
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
— (Matthew 16:24)
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.”
— (Matthew 23:25, 26)
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