July 27                                            Ezra 8 - 10

THE GREAT BETRAYAL

MEMORISE: ‘Yea, mine own familiar friends, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.’ (Ps 41: 9)
READ: Psalm 41: 4 -10

‘Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me’ (Ps 41:9).

This prophecy came through David several hundred years ago. There was no name attached, yet Judas Iscariot fulfilled it. Judas was among the twelve. He ate and slept with the Master. He went everywhere with him. He was even appointed treasurer of the ministry of Jesus. Like every other disciple, Judas had the opportunity to write a Gospel or Epistle, which today we would have been reading. Judas threw away his potential in the ministry. He was so near to the lord, yet so far from him.

Jesus could see Judas going astray and he called him and made him realize what he was doing wrong. But Judas’ heart was set on betraying Jesus. Later on, he went to Jesus’ enemies, who sought to kill the Lord. He was not sure if they would recognize Jesus, so Judas agreed to betray him with a kiss. As he did so, Jesus was arrested. Then Satan, who had filled Judas’ heart, left him for a moment, so he could realize what he had done; returning to press Judas to commit suicide.

The great betrayal started little by little. Today many Christian are betraying Jesus in different ways. Jesus assigns you to a position of authority and expects you to lead those under you properly. But what do you do? You begin to deal ruthlessly with them and become very bossy. You are betraying the trust Jesus has put in you.

Do you bear the Name of Christ – yet you take bribes, forge receipts and manipulate account figures? You are betraying Jesus. Are you going back into sin? Are people blaspheming the Name of Jesus because of you? You are betraying Jesus. Repent today.

ACTION POINT
Have you betrayed the Lord in any way lately? Repent.
Take steps to avoid a repeat.