I want to try to paint a picture for you that I hope will have a profound impact. Let's go back in time and pretend for a moment that you were one of Jesus' disciples. You are meeting together with Jesus and the others for an exciting and important celebration of the Passover. You sense that Jesus is deeply troubled as the meal continues. Then He says, "I'm telling you the truth: One of you will betray Me, even someone who is eating with Me!" Everyone becomes extremely distressed and looks around at each other. Who could He mean? First you begin to look at the others and think of all their shortcomings. But would any of them betray our Lord? It is then that you realize that the others are looking at you just the same. So you wonder what they are thinking? What are my short-comings? Is there any chance He could be referring to me? You know that you have loved Him and followed Him for three years, but you also know that you have made many mistakes along the way. Some still burden your heart when you think of them. So one by one, each disciple goes to the Christ and asks "Am I the one?" You are hesitant to even ask since you know what is in your heart but finally you do.
If you had been there, what weaknesses would have come to mind? What guilt would lay your heart open to the enemy? Would you need to ask, "Lord is it I"? As a "good" Christian, it is easy to judge that really bad disciple Judas Iscariot. The one spoken of in church with disdain, but let's face the truth. When the Lord God searches our hearts, it may look much like his (Judas' heart).
Sometimes the life of a Christian doesn't look much different than the life they lived before. But that should never be the case. Read these verses:
“The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, … and you will be changed into a different person.” — 1 Samuel 10:6
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20
"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:24
These verses tell us that when we accept Christ Jesus as our Savior. . . we should be radically changed! Our life belongs to Him.
" Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Jesus is waiting for you to ask? "Is it I?" But perhaps it would be better to just allow Him to have all of your life so that you never have to question if you could be Judas the betrayer. Surrender your life daily to Him. Let Him produce change and beauty from the inside out.
Now about the passover . . . Did you know that even if you are not a Jew, the passover is critically important to you? The passover occurred as the final plague that God used so that Pharaoh would release God's people who were being used as Egyptian slaves. Pharaoh had refused to listen and release the slaves after multiply opportunities. So God instructed the Israelites to slay a lamb and put the blood on their door-frame. That night the death angel passed over and took the life of every firstborn in each family. The exception was those whose doorway was covered by the blood of the lamb. The blood covering was their protection from death.
As Christians, Christ Jesus is our passover lamb. He has given His perfect self as our sanctification.
"Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." 1 Corinthians 5:7
When we try to enter the gates of Heaven, there will be only one question. "Were you covered by the blood of Christ?" No credential will do. No excuse will do. No great act or acts will do. Being a good person won't help. Nothing but the blood of Christ! Christ died that you might have eternal life and He is the only one worthy of paying such a price.
Have you accepted the free gift of grace offered by Jesus? Is He your Savior but also your Lord? Do you call yourself His while your heart betrays Him? Our time is short and our number of days are unknown to us. Today might be your last chance to surrender. Please ask God why He brought you to this blog and answer His call.
