In Jeremiah 20:12, God is described as the "Lord of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind". God knows everything about us, even our inner most attitudes, motivations, and desires. And since this is true, God not only cares that we serve Him, but why we serve Him. Do we serve Him, go to church, and read our Bibles because we love Him? Or do we simply do it out of habit, tradition, or so that God and others will think that we are good people?

This morning in my daily devotions I read about Jesus betrayal by Judas Iscariot in Matthew 26. Jesus knew Judas' true character all along, but no-one else did. Judas fit in perfectly with the other eleven disciples. He was a respected follower of Jesus, even making it into Jesus core leadership team. But the Gospels reveal that Judas' true motives were money, not a love for Jesus.

In John 12, Mary pours out an expensive ointment on Jesus' feet in an extravagant act of devotion to Jesus (v. 3). This act of devotion annoyed Judas because he thought the ointment should be sold so that the money could be given to the poor (vv. 4-5). But, John tells us in verse 6, "He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it." God knew his true motives. He was only in it for money, and when he stopped getting what he wanted from Jesus, he was willing to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Judas appeared to everyone to be a true follower of Jesus, but the reality is that from beginning to end he was only using Jesus for personal gain.

When Jesus told his disciples that one of them would betray Him, eleven of the disciples responded, "Is it I, Lord?" (Matt. 26:22). But Judas had a very different reply. He asked, "It is I, Rabbi?" This answer reveals the difference between Judas and the other eleven disciples. Eleven disciples believed Jesus was Lord. Judas only believed that he was a Rabbi (teacher). Who is Jesus to you? Is He only your teacher? Or is He your Lord? 

 

 

Sunday morning worship is a Saturday night decision! One of the best ways to get the most out of our time together in corporate worship is to come prepared, going to bed early on Saturday night, and by reviewing the sermon text, our song list, and our responsive readings. To help you prepare for Sunday worship, I've provided each element of our worship below for your review prior to Sunday.

 

 

In Christ,

 

Hunter Hanson