REFLECTIONS

March 21st, 2021

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

Judas’ Footsteps

Sitting in the temple with His disciples lined up beside him, Jesuswatched the rich put their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1-4)

While Jesus watched the impoverished widow give all she had to God, Judas saw it too. I wonder what might have passed through his mind from what he saw, and what he heard? The poor widow gave everything she had to God. Possessed by Satan, Judas was readying to sellout the Lamb of God for the value of a slave.

Jesus selected each of his disciples. Judas was no exception. Other than his father’s name, Simon, we know little of his background. But we do know that Judas’ footsteps followed Jesus wherever He went throughout his public ministry. Judas heard the sermons preached from the hillsides, and the lessons taught through parables. Judas watched miracles unfold, and he was among the twelve disciples sent to preach a message to “the lost sheep of Israel.” And during his time with Jesus, Judas surely felt the warmth and depth of Jesus’ love. Yet, the lure of earthly treasures proved stronger than his commitment to Jesus or God the Father.

But before we cluck our tongues, let’s remember the would-be follower who wanted first to bury his father (Luke 9:59-60;) and the rich young man who walked away from Jesus rather than let go of his position in life (Matthew 19:16-22). And let’s not forget, Peter denied Jesus three times.

So today, I ask myself, what might I be choosing to hold on to that Jesus is asking me to leave behind? Jesus sacrificed his life so I may live forever beyond this world even as I cling to earthly things that will not endure. That choice follows in Judas’ footsteps, not Jesus’.

“Jesus paid it all; all to him I owe,” the hymn’s lyrics go.

So, should I betray Jesus for whatever the earthly treasures may be?

You are the light of the world,

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org


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