SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 5/30/2017
10:34 AM
My Worship Time Focus: Learning
from Judas
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Matthew 10:4
Message of the
verses: “The twelve apostles
included ‘Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.”
This SD will be a bit different in that I want to go away
for a day from our study of John’s Gospel and give a quote from my John
MacArthur “Drawing Near Devotional Bible,” a Bible that I read every morning,
that is I read the devotionals in it and then listen to the Scripture that is
given to look at each day. This month
the devotions have been focusing in on the twelve disciples of Jesus and the
last few days have focused in on Judas and what we can learn from Judas.
God can use even an apostate like Judas to teach us some important
lessons.
Judas is history’s greatest
human tragedy. He had opportunities and privileges
known only to the other disciples, but he turned from them to pursue a course
of destruction. Yet even from his
foolishness we can learn some important lessons.
Judas, for example, is the
world’s greatest example of lost opportunity.
He ministered for three years with Jesus himself but was content merely
to associate with Him, never submitting to Him in saving faith. Millions of others have followed his example
by hearing the gospel and associating with Christians, yet rejecting
Christ. Tragically, like Judas, once
death comes, they too are damned for all eternity.
Judas is also the world’s
greatest example of wasted privileges.
He could have had the riches of an eternal inheritance but instead chose
thirty pieces of silver. In that respect
he is also the greatest illustration of the destructiveness and damnation greed
can bring. He did an unthinkable thing,
and yet he has many contemporary counterparts in those who place wealth and
pleasure above godliness.
On the positive side, Judas
is the world’s greatest illustration of the forbearing, patient love of
God. Knowing what Judas would do, Jesus
tolerated him for three years. Beyond
that, He constantly reached out to him and even called him ‘friend’ after his
kiss of betrayal (Matt. 26:50).
If you’ve ever been
betrayed by a friend, you know the pain it can bring. But the Lord’s pain was compounded many times
over because He knew ahead of time that he would be betrayed and because the
consequences were so serious. Yet he
endured the pain, because he loved Judas and knew that His own betrayal was a
necessary part of the redemptive plan.
The sins that destroyed Judas
are common sins that you must avoid at all costs! Use every opportunity and privilege God gives
you, and never take advantage of His patience.
SUGGESTIONS FOR PRAYER: Thank Jesus for the pain He endured at the
hands of Judas. – Pray that you will never cause Him such pain.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: Read 1 Timothy 6:6-19. – What perils await
those who desire wealth? – Rather than pursuing wealth, what should you pursue?
– What attitude should wealthy people have toward money?
6 ¶ But godliness actually is a means of great
gain when accompanied by contentment. 7
For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything
out of it either. 8 If we have food and
covering, with these we shall be content. 9
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many
foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts
of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and
pierced themselves with many griefs. 11
But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of
the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in
the presence of many witnesses.
13 ¶
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and
of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep the commandment without stain
or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will bring about at the proper
time-He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of
lords, 16 who alone possesses
immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can
see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. 17 Instruct those who are rich in this present
world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches,
but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good
works, to be generous and ready to share, 19
storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the
future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
Answer to yesterday’s Bible
question: “Elias or Elijah” (Luke 9:19).
Today’s Bible
question: “Who said ‘My God that send
His angel, and has shut the lions’ mouth’?”
Answer in our next SD.
5/30/2017 10:54 AM
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