mindsay
Is Christ's offer Genuine when it comes to those who will remain Lost?
Strange to think the answer to such a question might be found in
a most unlikely person, Judas Iscarriot. Christ knew the person Judas was to become before he called him to discipleship.And the Bible paints an inciteful picture of the relationship Jesus offered to his future betrayor. Amazingly that relationship was one of
acceptance and not rejection!
That wouldn't have been my way. My way would have been a relationship based only on my needs and necessity. The necessity of a betrayer to accomplish my need to fulfill salvation's plan.
Wouldn't such treatment of Judas be justified. For after all, wasn't this "my" betrayer.So I would have tolerated Judas throughout my ministry until the "need" came.
And until then, he gets snubbed.Simple really. I'd just pull a "Santa Claus" on him. Because I knew who was going to be naughty or nice. Inwardly I would create two list
s. My "A LIST" would of course be the one's I knew to become nice. Those who would press the kingdom after my sacrifice was completed. To these individuals I would pour out myself while on earth. Not holding anything back in our relationship nor my friendship. These would be my favored ones. My blessed ones. They were going to get gifts.My "B LIST" of naughty ones would see Judas at it's top. This was a list of people who I knew would always reject me. Even after witnessing first hand the power and authority that belonged to the Son of God. Obviously they would be a waste of my time and attention. For what good could possibly come from the giving of myself to such lost causes? Nope, Judas was destined to get only lumps of coal as gifts from me.
But Christ was different.
The Bible and Hebrew Culture at that time give hints that suggest Judas actually received the best of Christ's favor rather than malice. A tru
e and honest friendship.As a Called Disciple;
Certainly we recognize Jesus's calling of Judas to become his disciple. One to follow Christ and to become like Christ, a "Rabbi".
In Hebrew Society a Rabbi held the greatest position which offered status, honor, wealth and respect. Jesus's calling of his disciples opened them all up to this possibility for themselves. They immediately would have been recognized in society as highly favored, with a future that looked equally promising.When Jesus chose Judas to come follow him. He was giving Judas the chance of a lifetime. Judas must have felt like he'd just won the lottery! Judas was on the road to success.
As the Treasurer;
Judas was the treasurer of all their money.
John 13
:29 Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. To people around this would have been seen as a sign of worthiness from his Rabbi. A position of great responsibility and trust which had been granted to him over all the other disciples. Could things possibly get any better for Judas?Most Honored among the Disciples;
In Hebrew culture the evening meal was seen as the most important event of the common day. For this was a time set aside for fellowship and relationship building. Sharing the days experiences and thoughts with family and invited guests.
Everything about this meal was done with intent and forethought. Even the positions of sitting at the table held significance. So with respect to the evening meal hosted by Jesus at the Last Supper. One finds Jesus in the position of the host at the head of the table. (In Hebrew culture, the head of the table would be designated on the right side of the floor level table or mat. The host or head of the table sat in the second position from that end. To his right would be one chosen as his helper. His "Right Hand Man" so to speak. But imediately to
the host's left, seen as the third position, was a place reserved in importance and great honor. This was where any "guest of honor" would have found themselves. The continued places of importance and stature around the table would continue to the left until one came to the final placing of least honor. In fact, at this location would also be located a basin of water. For it was the person sitting at this furthest place of least importance who was to offer washing of the feet of all the other indiviuals around the table.This is the traditional backdrop one would find themselves in if they were to join Jesus and his Disciples in the following passage.
John 13:12-26 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because it is true. 14 And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 How true it is that a servant is not greater than the master. Nor are messengers more important than the one who sends them. 17 You know these things—now do them! That is the path of blessing.18 "I am not saying these things to all of you; I know so well each one of you I chose. The Scriptures declare, ‘The one who shares my food has turned against me,’ and this will soon come true. 19 I tell you this now, so that when it happens you will believe I am the Messiah. 20 Truly, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me." 21 Now Jesus was in great anguish of spirit, and he exclaimed, "The truth is, one of you will betray me!" 22 The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean. 23 One of Jesus’ disciples, the one Jesus loved, was sitting next to Jesus at the table. 24 Simon Peter motioned to him to ask who would do this terrible thing. 25 Leaning toward Jesus, he asked, "Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesus said, "It is the one to whom I give the bread dipped in the sauce." And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot.
John, the disciple Jesus loved, was in the first position at the table leaning on his left elbow. At times head upon Jesus's chest. Here was Christ's right hand man. So when Jesus dipped a piece of bread and handed it to Judas. Judas would have to be seated beside him to accept this offer of friendship.
By occupying a place normally reserved for an honored guest and to be served food by the Host of the meal,
being Christ. Judas would discover himself now to be seen as the one most elevated in stature among all the disciples.So consider Judas at this point in his life. In only a couple of years he had reached the top. He was a chosen Disciple of the most influential Rabbi of that time. Occupying status and position above even his fellow disciples.
If there were "year books" for discipleship school and we didn't know the events soon to be played in history. I'm certain the caption for Judas would have read "Most Favored and Most Likely to Succeed".
And, ironically, Peter's contrasting caption probably would have read. "Most likely to Put his Foot in His Mouth and Least Likely to Succeed"
. For here is Peter reclining on his left elbow. Occupying the spot one would most likely have to be at to catch John's eye so as to prompt that "Who is it" question. That spot, the tables final seat and one of least importance would have had to be located directly across from John.
So Why Treat One's Betrayer So Good? I could only guess and still not understand completely Christ's thoughts and ways. But when I consider how Jesus readily accepted and even blessed the one who would eventually betray him with the most sinful deed imaginable. To Sustain and even Bless someone that you know will one day turn against you speaks of a Love that is far beyond human understanding. Christ's last act towards Judas was even one of friendship in the offering of that dipped bread. An offering still made from one about to be betrayed. And while some could argue that Christ did this act only to reveal his betrayer to John. I would have to disagree. For Christ certainly knew the significance of his offering of that bread and what its symbolism represented. Christ was still chosing to be Judas's friend.
God has no A and B Lists when it comes to salvation's offer. The gift offered through Jesus is as sincere and real to the saved as it is sincere and real to those who will
always reject it. For the actions of Jesus towards Judas bear witness of his deep desire to be the friend of all.To consider such a thought should give all seekers hope, no matter how great their perceived offence. For it seems apparent to me that the relationship Christ offers to everyone is pure and genuine. A Relational Friendship continually presented to all seekers in the hope it will
one day be accepted. It is unwavering in it's Faithfulness. It is truly Unconditional. It is Holy.
You have no vast sums of money or great riches. Yet you don't realize how wealthy you truly are. For we all have lives to share in abundance. But when we mistakenly believe that sharing our money is the true act of Generosity we decieve ourselves. For I believe that true Generosity is exercised thru the sharing of one's life to all others in such a way that humankindness is the result. Ya know, like the simple things. Those knee jerk re-actions that occur spontaneously throughout anyone's day. Opportunities to share in a friend or stranger's life thru the putting of others first. Like holding a door open for a lady, or letting the guy slip in front of you in the checkout with his one item. Saying "Good Day"to a stranger, offering your transit seat to the elderly, or just saying "Thank You" and meaning it. Our daily lives are so full of opportunities to express generosity thru kindness. Yet we have chosen to hold ourselves back.
Selfishness is not a victimless choice. It is most often a decision made without the realization of how many lives we choose not to influence for the better because we let another chance slip by.
This Christmas Season will see many good charities on corners and in the malls accepting donations to give to the needy. And thats awesome, I applaud and support their efforts. Its encouraging to see the bins fill with cash and even hear the sound as our spare change drops in.
Wouldn't it be something. That if for every act of giving in kindness we and those around would hear that same "chinking,clinking, coin dropping sound".
"Have a Great Day", chink. "Here, take my seat",chink. "I know your going thru a rough time, just know I'm here for you",chink.
It's a scary thought. There's a part of me that would be excited to hear all those "chinking" sounds. But there's also a part of me that fears there may be a lot of silence too.
Unselfishness with one's life is not an act of being, it is an act of will. Choose to live life generously!
This principle was summed up nicely in The Bible. And whether you believe in scripture or not isn't the issue, for it's truth still has meaning.
2 Corinthians 9:7 "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." And may I also add "The world needs and loves a cheerful giver too".
So let generosity flow from yourself this coming Holiday Season. And look forward to giving others a Very Merry Christmas.
God Bless.
How was it that King David of Old Testament fame often cried out that He thirsted for God in his life? I mean, what would cause someone who was already a King, one of the Greatest and most well known Kings to say that "He" thirsted for God in his life like a deer would pant for water? I mean he was a King wasn't he? Why should a King ,of all people need or even want any God? You would think that if anyone had it made it would be him wouldn't you?
But King David tells a story of one who lived a life of adventure. Packed full of danger, passion, failures and restoration. But most notably, his life speaks of someone who had God's favor! Why God even deliberately draws our attention not to David's stature but to David's heart that sought after God like a deer would pant after water.
I'm convinced that it was because David sought after God with all his heart that God in turn gave David the ride of his life! A real life adventure that begins with each new dawn. I'm also convinced that kind of life, that kind of adventure, is available today as well!
How can I be sure of such a thing, you may ask? My life bears witness to it's possibility. If I can from the moment I awake, thru my work day and on till the evening is spent live that life, than anyone else can too!
Who am I? No one special ( in my eyes). What do I do, where do I work, nothing really special either, I just install garage doors. But because I have this close connection thru total surrender to God I am experiencing His favor. See that's the key, total surrender developes a heart (soul, mind and strength too) that begins to thirst for God to come on the scene and make things happen! And guaranteed He will and does!
Thats where the adventure begins. With a God that empowers beyond imagination. With a God who is bigger than the universe and yet chooses to dwell with little old us. If you call yourself a Christian and yet have no idea what my rambling is about than I gotta ask, does life only seem livable? Just some existence to be endured or suffered for a time until the great party afterlife? God feels distant removed and pre-occupied on other matters besides you. And so you don't thirst after God. But instead you find yourself "sippin after God" like you would some hot cup of tea.
No, No, No! This life with our God was not meant to be sipped! It was meant to be slammed back! To be experienced to the fullest and then some! So that each morning our prayer is a yearning to cry out "Bring it on Lord!" And after being poured out throughout the day we exclaim to our God, "Wow Dad, don't we have the greatest adventures!" And as you drift off just before the dreams begin you feel it. There it is. God's favor.
Remembrance Day. To, on a day like today remember the ones who gave up their lives to a cause for people they didn't know. To be so convinced that this is the only course of action for freedoms sake. War is hell. There is no other word to describe such times. I'm thankful for those soldiers who for the sake of future generations did that deed that came at such great cost. It reminds me of another debt that I can not repay either. And the voice that echoes from both those dark times simply aks; "Remember Me". So in respect and honor for such acts on my behalf I say "Thank You, because of your acts my life can have freedom".
