Matthew 26:16
“And from then on he looked for a good opportunity to betray Jesus.”
How do we see Jesus? We have our senses in which we can hear, see or touch Him. Jesus called out several times, “He who has ears let him hear.”
Judas was intently looking at Jesus. Unfortunately it wasn’t out of fear for Him. Quite the opposite. He was looking at Him with contempt as he was looking to betray Him.
I’m sure this wasn’t the first time Judas was frustrated with Jesus. I’m certain we all have been. Things weren’t going our way and we knew God had the power over circumstances to alter them. It didn’t happen. Our frustration grows deeper and more intense.
The problem is we want our way. We can throw tantrums when we don’t get it. We are putting our wants and desires over that of others. We are selfish and self driven. All things revolve around us. Unfortunately this will harm our relationships. It’s not loving.
Here is what we should do, ‘Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”‘, (Matthew 16:24). This should be a major theme in our lives. Self and the flesh want to be on the throne. That was why Satan fell. Isaiah 14:13 says, “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north'”. That’s how self thinks. Judas sucombed to that.
Lord, help us to be far from that. Help us to be above reproach. To avoid the appearance of evil. To wait the extra moment. To have Jesus’ attitude, ‘Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots’, (Luke 23:34).
We are to walk the Jesus way. We are to love others. To let them have the right of way. To deny self.
The beatitudes were so unique. The world and the flesh don’t speak that language. They are the heart of God. Thank You, Lord.
