THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 14:43-52
“Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him.” (Mark 14:45)
Judas pretends to respect Jesus by calling him ‘teacher’ (Rabbi).
But most painful of all, he pretends to love Jesus by a kiss.
As Jesus-followers, we are called to be bridges between Jesus and the world.
We are to lead people to Jesus… but not like Judas did!
If we are pretending, if we are not what we appear to be, we betray Jesus as well.
How many people go to church, sing Jesus songs, yet do not really know Jesus?
Those who are around us know the difference, they sense fakeness.
It has led many to resist Jesus, or to dismiss Jesus Him as a fraud.
We don’t need to be perfect to lead people to Jesus, we need to be honest!
Being a Christian is not about being religious.
It is admitting our struggle and sin and need for God’s help.
As Jesus followers, we are not putting on a show for others.
Pretending to be spiritual is not only pointless, its hard to keep up!
Be honest and real, and point to Jesus, the One that forgives and helps us all!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I am not a ‘holy person’. I am just a struggling Jesus follower whose hope is not in what I do, but in what You have done for me!
A kiss.
A kiss means friendship. Trust.
Judas’ kiss was that of betrayal. It was a kiss of death – of Jesus but also of the one who betrayed Jesus – who had lost hope and trust and the friendship of Jesus. Yet Jesus stayed His ground while the others fled.
In adversity, how do I respond? In love and forgiveness? In panic? in Hope and Trust?
He has given us the Light to show us how to walk. Help me to walk each day anew in that SonShine, Lord and may others see that Light shining in me.
Walk in the light, beautiful light
Come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright
Oh shine all around us by day and by night
Jesus is, Jesus is the light of the world;
Oh we shall walk in the light, beautiful light
Come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright
Oh shine all around us by day and by night
Jesus is, Jesus is the light of the world;
No need to worry, no need to fret
All of my needs, the man named Jesus has met
His love protects me from hurt and from harm
Jesus is, Jesus is the light of the world
If the gospel be hid, it’s hid from the lost
My Jesus is waiting to look past your faults
Arise and shine, your light has come
Jesus is, I know that He is the only light of this world
Jesus is the light
Light of the world
Jesus is the light
Light of the world