Sermon nuggets Fri Aug 29
Theme Pretenders
Verses- John 13:27-32
27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him,28 but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him.
29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor.
30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.31 When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him.32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
Condemned.
It said earlier that the Devil prompted Judas to speak with the Scribes and priests, and then later it said that Satan entered into him. I notice the progression of Satanic possession, by first yielding totemptations, then growing into oppression, and finally possession.
After Satan entered into Judas, Jesus attitude immediately changed. Not because he was possessed by Satan. There were other examples of demonic possession and Satanic control over people who were freed from that power. But now Jesus let him go to do what he wanted to do it. Judas had crossed the line of grace, and no more did Jesus reach out to him. All Jesus wanted now was to get rid of him.
We could talk about this as prophecy and certainly debate the theology of election. We can discuss the consequence of his suicide and death and remorse, but the fact remains in this passage Jesus didn't stop Judas. He could have. The point I want to make is...Jesus let him live out the consequences of his decisions to the degree that he was responsible. He stood condemned. There are times when we fight God. There are times when God fights us. Our life however is often given to us to go our own way. There was no point in delaying the purpose decided by Judas to accomplish. Judas was instructed to get it over with since it was to be done and be done by him; it would be well to be done quickly.
Since it was the custom at the Passover those who had, sharedwith those who had not. It was the time when people gave tothe poor. That was what the disciples assumed Judas was about to do. But Judas had other things on his mind. So did Satan. He was used.
The consequences for Judas was not 30 pieces of silver, it was eternal condemnation. The light of the world was forever gone from his life after 3 years of close contact with Christ. Judas did not just betray Jesus, he betrayed his own soul. He was not condemned for his sin, but for his lack of faith in the Savior which resulted in his betrayal. The saddest thing that can happen is when the grace of God is rejected and we hear the voice of God no more.
There is a time when God just lets us keep pretending, even when we show others how much we love Him by kissing Him.
Pastor Dale
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Revealed John 13:21-26
Sermon Nuggets Thur Aug 28
Theme Pretenders
Verses- John 13:21-26 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."
22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.
23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.
24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."
25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"
26 Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon.
Revealed
While others were taken up with Christ, Judas was concerned about money and self. He was trusted by the others to handle the funds. No one suspected anything was wrong. Of course, that is typical isn't it? No one suspects what goes through our hearts, minds, and evenactions.
I thought of the interview that James Dobson had with Ted Bundy, the convicted serial rapist and murderer a few years ago. He seemed like a really nice guy- clean shaven, handsome, polite, soft spoken. He admitted that no one suspected him of the heinous crimes he committed because that was so unlike his regular character.
Jesus gives them a riddle sort of. When he reveals to them that one of them will betray him, they all get concerned and ask, "Is it I?"Jesus reveals that it is the one to whom he gives the bread he dips in the bowl.
In the east to eat bread with a person was a sign of friendship and an act of loyalty. For one who had eaten bread at someone's table he pledged his friendship. To turn against the person was a bitter thing.
T.E. Lawrence told how when he sat with the Arabs in their tents, sometimes the Arab chief would tear a choice piece of fat mutton from the whole sheep which was before them and hand it to him, often a most embarrassing favor to a western palate, for it had to be eaten! So when Jesus handed the morsel to Judas, again it was a mark of special affection. I believe it was also Jesus way of confronting Judas with his sin. What was he going to do about it?
Now I've always been troubled by the fact that He tells the disciples that his betrayer will be the one to whom He gives the bread. When He does give it to Judas they are still sitting there with their tongues hanging out of their mouths not knowing who it is that will betray him. Didn't he just tell them?
Well, it seems to me it is in the context of the complex. Or frankly, it was a riddle that they didn't get until after it happened. Why? They were all dipping bread with Jesus and thought he was emphasizing the fact the person is in this room. But the private conversation and confrontation with Judas made it special between them. The rest did not realize it until after the resurrection.
I believe Jesus wanted Judas to know that He knew. Jesus was confronting Judas with his sin. Judas knew. Jesus knew. But Judas didn't know until then that Jesus knew. This was a message to Judas. It was Christ's confrontation charging him with betrayal.
Instead of confession and repentance, he turns on Jesus and leaves for the crime. Jesus does not broadcast the failure of Judas to his disciples. Perhaps if Jesus did reveal his identiey, he might not have gotten out of the room, the disciples would have prevented him from leaving. But I think Jesus also wanted to His disciples to know this was no surprise to Jesus. Judas was necessary to bring about His death which was itself necessary to bring about the redemption of the world. Judas meant it for evil, but God used it for good.
Psalm 41:9 "Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me." The psalm is historical as well as prophetic. David was lamenting over his own betrayal by his trusted adviser Ahthophel, who sided with Absalom.
Judas was a sinner, but so were the others. But when God confronts us with sin, when the Spirit of God convicts us of our wrong doing or wrong attitude, we need to seek repentance and forgiveness. I think we have the story of betrayal by one of the disciples to remind us that sin and devilish work can also be an inside job, done by friends or allies-fellow Christians and church members.
Just like the disciples wondered if it could be themselves, so it is good to examine our own lives to be sure our hearts and actions are right.
Pastor Dale
Theme Pretenders
Verses- John 13:21-26 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."
22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.
23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.
24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."
25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"
26 Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon.
Revealed
While others were taken up with Christ, Judas was concerned about money and self. He was trusted by the others to handle the funds. No one suspected anything was wrong. Of course, that is typical isn't it? No one suspects what goes through our hearts, minds, and evenactions.
I thought of the interview that James Dobson had with Ted Bundy, the convicted serial rapist and murderer a few years ago. He seemed like a really nice guy- clean shaven, handsome, polite, soft spoken. He admitted that no one suspected him of the heinous crimes he committed because that was so unlike his regular character.
Jesus gives them a riddle sort of. When he reveals to them that one of them will betray him, they all get concerned and ask, "Is it I?"Jesus reveals that it is the one to whom he gives the bread he dips in the bowl.
In the east to eat bread with a person was a sign of friendship and an act of loyalty. For one who had eaten bread at someone's table he pledged his friendship. To turn against the person was a bitter thing.
T.E. Lawrence told how when he sat with the Arabs in their tents, sometimes the Arab chief would tear a choice piece of fat mutton from the whole sheep which was before them and hand it to him, often a most embarrassing favor to a western palate, for it had to be eaten! So when Jesus handed the morsel to Judas, again it was a mark of special affection. I believe it was also Jesus way of confronting Judas with his sin. What was he going to do about it?
Now I've always been troubled by the fact that He tells the disciples that his betrayer will be the one to whom He gives the bread. When He does give it to Judas they are still sitting there with their tongues hanging out of their mouths not knowing who it is that will betray him. Didn't he just tell them?
Well, it seems to me it is in the context of the complex. Or frankly, it was a riddle that they didn't get until after it happened. Why? They were all dipping bread with Jesus and thought he was emphasizing the fact the person is in this room. But the private conversation and confrontation with Judas made it special between them. The rest did not realize it until after the resurrection.
I believe Jesus wanted Judas to know that He knew. Jesus was confronting Judas with his sin. Judas knew. Jesus knew. But Judas didn't know until then that Jesus knew. This was a message to Judas. It was Christ's confrontation charging him with betrayal.
Instead of confession and repentance, he turns on Jesus and leaves for the crime. Jesus does not broadcast the failure of Judas to his disciples. Perhaps if Jesus did reveal his identiey, he might not have gotten out of the room, the disciples would have prevented him from leaving. But I think Jesus also wanted to His disciples to know this was no surprise to Jesus. Judas was necessary to bring about His death which was itself necessary to bring about the redemption of the world. Judas meant it for evil, but God used it for good.
Psalm 41:9 "Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me." The psalm is historical as well as prophetic. David was lamenting over his own betrayal by his trusted adviser Ahthophel, who sided with Absalom.
Judas was a sinner, but so were the others. But when God confronts us with sin, when the Spirit of God convicts us of our wrong doing or wrong attitude, we need to seek repentance and forgiveness. I think we have the story of betrayal by one of the disciples to remind us that sin and devilish work can also be an inside job, done by friends or allies-fellow Christians and church members.
Just like the disciples wondered if it could be themselves, so it is good to examine our own lives to be sure our hearts and actions are right.
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Troubled Spirit John 13:21
Sermon nuggets Weds Aug 27
Theme Pretenders
Verses John 13:21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."(NIV)
Troubled Spirit
Jesus is troubled in spirit. What troubled him? Does that questionever come to your mind? Certainly we know that He was troubled by the hypocrisy of Judas. Judas heard, seen, and knew Jesus but still rejected the truth. He went a different way that the way of Christ.
Let's not deny Jesus' human emotions. Betrayal hurts. Sin against us hurts. Gossip hurts, people spreading rumors hurts, it also hurts our Lord. But Jesus also knew what was ahead. He knew what would happen to Judas.
Early, coming into Jerusalem, Jesus was moved to tears of pity when he saw the future destruction of Jerusalem. What troubled Him was the with the deep love he had for his people He realized what they were to suffer.
You are troubled in heart are you not, when you see people you love make wrong decisions? You are troubled in heart when you see people do things they will be regretting. Sometimes it is very difficult when you see people openly and blatantly going against God's word and you know that it will be for their undoing. Sometimes all we can do is warn and watch.
We also learn from the example of Judas that a person can be very near to Jesus Christ and yet be lost forever. Although he may have given intellectual assent to the truth, he never embraced Christ with heartfelt faith. Jesus was not deceived; Judas was a phony. He understood the truth, and he posed as a believer. Furthermore, he was good at it--the cleverest hypocrite we read about in the Bible for no one ever suspected him. But the irony of this all is the motivation was for greed. It was for 30 pieces of silver. Maybe there was some short term political inspiration, but how foolish when it comes to eternity.
I can imagine how His heart is troubled when things of such insignifance get in the way of Spiritual things of such importance.
It makes our Lord sad when people make choices that will have eternal consequences. It makes Him sad when sin abounds. Of course that love is what motivated the Lord to come to earth to redeem those who will come and follow Him. He tells us the truth. Some will listen. Most will not. That gives Him a troubled spirit for all who go their own way.
Pastor Dale
Theme Pretenders
Verses John 13:21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."(NIV)
Troubled Spirit
Jesus is troubled in spirit. What troubled him? Does that questionever come to your mind? Certainly we know that He was troubled by the hypocrisy of Judas. Judas heard, seen, and knew Jesus but still rejected the truth. He went a different way that the way of Christ.
Let's not deny Jesus' human emotions. Betrayal hurts. Sin against us hurts. Gossip hurts, people spreading rumors hurts, it also hurts our Lord. But Jesus also knew what was ahead. He knew what would happen to Judas.
Early, coming into Jerusalem, Jesus was moved to tears of pity when he saw the future destruction of Jerusalem. What troubled Him was the with the deep love he had for his people He realized what they were to suffer.
You are troubled in heart are you not, when you see people you love make wrong decisions? You are troubled in heart when you see people do things they will be regretting. Sometimes it is very difficult when you see people openly and blatantly going against God's word and you know that it will be for their undoing. Sometimes all we can do is warn and watch.
We also learn from the example of Judas that a person can be very near to Jesus Christ and yet be lost forever. Although he may have given intellectual assent to the truth, he never embraced Christ with heartfelt faith. Jesus was not deceived; Judas was a phony. He understood the truth, and he posed as a believer. Furthermore, he was good at it--the cleverest hypocrite we read about in the Bible for no one ever suspected him. But the irony of this all is the motivation was for greed. It was for 30 pieces of silver. Maybe there was some short term political inspiration, but how foolish when it comes to eternity.
I can imagine how His heart is troubled when things of such insignifance get in the way of Spiritual things of such importance.
It makes our Lord sad when people make choices that will have eternal consequences. It makes Him sad when sin abounds. Of course that love is what motivated the Lord to come to earth to redeem those who will come and follow Him. He tells us the truth. Some will listen. Most will not. That gives Him a troubled spirit for all who go their own way.
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Among Us John 13:18-20
Sermon nuggets Tues Aug 26
Theme Pretenders
Verses: John 13:18-20 "I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'
19 "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.
20 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
Among us
How could Judas be one of the special 12 Apostles and not have others know his heart? Judas was no surprise to Jesus, but one of the revelations is that within churches, denominations, and religious groups there are pretenders among us. That has been the case from the beginning and will be until Jesus overcomes Satan. The Anti-Christ is a pretender in the last days.
Jesus had known and loved the disciples, and had called them for the very purpose of bringing the Kingdom of God to the world. Now comes the time before Jesus death when He shares intimately in communion with them. He washes their feet. We are told that He knows Judas is to betray Him. When He speaks to Peter He tells him that he is all clean, but not all of them are clean. He is referring to Judas for He knows what they do not know. Here is an outsider among the insiders. Christ knew. There is no concealment with Him. We can think we have covered up nicely our intension, and our real purposes, but He knows the heart and there is the revelation of the Spirit.
There was uniqueness among Judas that no one else can claim. No one else is the son of perdition. No one else was prophesied to betray Jesus. Although others do not follow the role Judas played, God is completely aware of the hidden and hypocritical hearts that can deceive many within the church and in our world today. Criminals think they get away with crimes. Lawyers think they can bend their arguments making the guilty come off innocent. Politicians get away with cheating.
We all know the temptations to sin and then cover it up, but the fact remains there are people who will deceive others when it comes to matters of faith. Satan sees to that. Some are motivated by personal reason, usually pride, power, or money. Others are deceived by the evil one in order to keep people from the Biblical faith.
No matter what happens it does not change the Apostles’ commission. Christ is often judged by the people who say that follow him. To reject Christianity because of hypocrites is like rejecting Jesus because of Judas, or for the rest of the apostles to think they might as well give up since someone as respectable as Judas was a hypocrite.
I liked the statement made of Jay Kesler, pastor president of Taylor University and former director of Youth for Christ. As a pastor he said when he goes to bed at night he has to ask himself if he is serving Jesus or people. He asks, "Jay, was your motivation today really to serve God, leaning on Him, drawing from His strength, and seeking only His "well done"? Or did you allow yourself to get caught up in wanting the approval of other people?"
Self evaluation can be healthy. It is easy to get the routine down that people can live two lives like Judas did.
Our job is not to do the sorting out unless that becomes apparent or divisive. In Matthew 13 Jesus tells the parable of the field being harvested but weeds come up. When asked if they should pull the weeds he answered no for some of the wheat will also be destroyed. The angels will separate the wheat from the weeds at the time of harvest.
It will be those who believe they are Christian are not for they trust a religion, church or good works and have never known Christ because the message has been changed by others whom are pretenders. Let the Word of God be your guide and grow, not in fear, but in the joy of your salvation. Let’s not forget the joy when the wheat is harvested!
Pastor Dale
Theme Pretenders
Verses: John 13:18-20 "I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'
19 "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.
20 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
Among us
How could Judas be one of the special 12 Apostles and not have others know his heart? Judas was no surprise to Jesus, but one of the revelations is that within churches, denominations, and religious groups there are pretenders among us. That has been the case from the beginning and will be until Jesus overcomes Satan. The Anti-Christ is a pretender in the last days.
Jesus had known and loved the disciples, and had called them for the very purpose of bringing the Kingdom of God to the world. Now comes the time before Jesus death when He shares intimately in communion with them. He washes their feet. We are told that He knows Judas is to betray Him. When He speaks to Peter He tells him that he is all clean, but not all of them are clean. He is referring to Judas for He knows what they do not know. Here is an outsider among the insiders. Christ knew. There is no concealment with Him. We can think we have covered up nicely our intension, and our real purposes, but He knows the heart and there is the revelation of the Spirit.
There was uniqueness among Judas that no one else can claim. No one else is the son of perdition. No one else was prophesied to betray Jesus. Although others do not follow the role Judas played, God is completely aware of the hidden and hypocritical hearts that can deceive many within the church and in our world today. Criminals think they get away with crimes. Lawyers think they can bend their arguments making the guilty come off innocent. Politicians get away with cheating.
We all know the temptations to sin and then cover it up, but the fact remains there are people who will deceive others when it comes to matters of faith. Satan sees to that. Some are motivated by personal reason, usually pride, power, or money. Others are deceived by the evil one in order to keep people from the Biblical faith.
No matter what happens it does not change the Apostles’ commission. Christ is often judged by the people who say that follow him. To reject Christianity because of hypocrites is like rejecting Jesus because of Judas, or for the rest of the apostles to think they might as well give up since someone as respectable as Judas was a hypocrite.
I liked the statement made of Jay Kesler, pastor president of Taylor University and former director of Youth for Christ. As a pastor he said when he goes to bed at night he has to ask himself if he is serving Jesus or people. He asks, "Jay, was your motivation today really to serve God, leaning on Him, drawing from His strength, and seeking only His "well done"? Or did you allow yourself to get caught up in wanting the approval of other people?"
Self evaluation can be healthy. It is easy to get the routine down that people can live two lives like Judas did.
Our job is not to do the sorting out unless that becomes apparent or divisive. In Matthew 13 Jesus tells the parable of the field being harvested but weeds come up. When asked if they should pull the weeds he answered no for some of the wheat will also be destroyed. The angels will separate the wheat from the weeds at the time of harvest.
It will be those who believe they are Christian are not for they trust a religion, church or good works and have never known Christ because the message has been changed by others whom are pretenders. Let the Word of God be your guide and grow, not in fear, but in the joy of your salvation. Let’s not forget the joy when the wheat is harvested!
Pastor Dale
Monday, August 25, 2008
Pretenders John 13:18-20
Sermon nuggets Mon Aug 25
Theme Pretenders
Verses: John 13:18-20 "I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'
19 "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.
20 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
False Leaders
Recently I have been troubled again by the many who take on religious leadership but do not follow the one and only leader, Jesus Christ. I am not talking about non Christian religions, but people who claim to be Christians but present a different gospel.
All throughout the Bible we are warned of false prophets and false teachers. After some tell me what they have heard on TV, radio, or in the latest book I am appalled how people follow some of these leaders who go contrary to the clear teaching of the Bible. Just because a person quotes some Bible verses or says he or she is a Christian does not mean they are according to the word of God. Many see Oprah as one of the greatest Christians because she says she is and does good things. Yet by her own admission she does not believe He is the only way to salvation. Does one use Jesus only to the degree it fits our purposes?
I realize there are many interpretations of verses that Christians have debated throughout the centuries. Some people get enamored with new teachings they haven’t heard before and so think because it is novel it must be a new revelation by God.
Many pastors and teachers begin with solid doctrine and biblically based ministry only to find that years later their pride, or power, or lust have gotten into the way of being found faithful. The early messages of Jim Jones, for instance, seemed pretty orthodox, so I am told. But as his following got bigger and reputation as a leader stronger, it soon became all about him and not about Jesus. He manipulated people for his own purposes.
As the subject of Judas Iscariot is presented as the betrayer of Christ, Jesus tells his disciples not to let these things throw them. He wants to warn them and us people will be revealed sooner or later if they are true followers or pretenders.
There is an attitude that permeates around us after something has served it's purpose, we might as well discard it. Unfortunately some people treat others that way too. Relationships also become wasted on selfish pursuits.
Jesus was one that the Jews looked to for relief from Roman oppression. Many believed he was the Messiah to establish Jewish earthly rule forever. Some people liked to think this was the motivation behind Judas'action. Judas was a national zealot who thought he could move Jesus to conflict thus forcing his hand into a position of national leadership. This was not Jesus intention. So for Judas Jesus was a commodity to be used to accomplishhis personal goal.
The musical of the 70s "Jesus Christ Superstar" by Tim Rice, and other recent writings presented Judas as someone a confused, misguided leader who had the best intensions in mind for Israel. He is a hero.
How do we look at Christ? Does he serve our purposes? If he doesn't do we put him on the self ignore Him, or even abandon Him? Are we a religious consumer, or a real servant? Do we believe in Jesus in order to have our desires met or do we see Him as Lord of the universe who is worthy of following and serving Him wherever that path may lead?
Pastor Dale.
Theme Pretenders
Verses: John 13:18-20 "I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'
19 "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.
20 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
False Leaders
Recently I have been troubled again by the many who take on religious leadership but do not follow the one and only leader, Jesus Christ. I am not talking about non Christian religions, but people who claim to be Christians but present a different gospel.
All throughout the Bible we are warned of false prophets and false teachers. After some tell me what they have heard on TV, radio, or in the latest book I am appalled how people follow some of these leaders who go contrary to the clear teaching of the Bible. Just because a person quotes some Bible verses or says he or she is a Christian does not mean they are according to the word of God. Many see Oprah as one of the greatest Christians because she says she is and does good things. Yet by her own admission she does not believe He is the only way to salvation. Does one use Jesus only to the degree it fits our purposes?
I realize there are many interpretations of verses that Christians have debated throughout the centuries. Some people get enamored with new teachings they haven’t heard before and so think because it is novel it must be a new revelation by God.
Many pastors and teachers begin with solid doctrine and biblically based ministry only to find that years later their pride, or power, or lust have gotten into the way of being found faithful. The early messages of Jim Jones, for instance, seemed pretty orthodox, so I am told. But as his following got bigger and reputation as a leader stronger, it soon became all about him and not about Jesus. He manipulated people for his own purposes.
As the subject of Judas Iscariot is presented as the betrayer of Christ, Jesus tells his disciples not to let these things throw them. He wants to warn them and us people will be revealed sooner or later if they are true followers or pretenders.
There is an attitude that permeates around us after something has served it's purpose, we might as well discard it. Unfortunately some people treat others that way too. Relationships also become wasted on selfish pursuits.
Jesus was one that the Jews looked to for relief from Roman oppression. Many believed he was the Messiah to establish Jewish earthly rule forever. Some people liked to think this was the motivation behind Judas'action. Judas was a national zealot who thought he could move Jesus to conflict thus forcing his hand into a position of national leadership. This was not Jesus intention. So for Judas Jesus was a commodity to be used to accomplishhis personal goal.
The musical of the 70s "Jesus Christ Superstar" by Tim Rice, and other recent writings presented Judas as someone a confused, misguided leader who had the best intensions in mind for Israel. He is a hero.
How do we look at Christ? Does he serve our purposes? If he doesn't do we put him on the self ignore Him, or even abandon Him? Are we a religious consumer, or a real servant? Do we believe in Jesus in order to have our desires met or do we see Him as Lord of the universe who is worthy of following and serving Him wherever that path may lead?
Pastor Dale.
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