I was sitting in panera reading and uploading this weeks sermon and started thinking about how we are commanded to love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves. I started thinking about it because I was thinking about the disciples.
We just started a sermon series through the book of Acts this weekend. I was thinking about how 12 guys were literally, physically close to Jesus. They lived the dream. I mean, how many of us have wanted to be there on the boat when Jesus comes walking out of the darkness... on the water. Who wouldn't want to see 5000 men plus wives and children feast on 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread (and then find baskets full of leftovers). Obviously that's not even mentioning dead people coming back to life and the healing of countless others. The disciples saw it all. They literally saw God. They walked with Him and learned from Him.
But one of them never got it. Can you imagine? I can't. I just don't get it.
Anyway, Judas is what is blowing me away with the "love your neighbor" command. Jesus knew that Judas would betray him (John 6:64, John 13:11). I have a hard enough time loving people who are good to me. Jesus loved this guy day in and day out and all the while knew that Judas would sell Him out.
Lord, help me to love. I don't even know if I understand what the word means.
3 comments:
What gets me even more is how Jesus washed Judas' feet. Here is the King of Glory humbling Himself before the very person who would betray Him. There is a wild thought that should cause us to tremble.
OK, no fair...WE just started a summer series through the book of Acts too. I'll send you our notes if you send me yours.
Everyone always puts so much blame on Judas but when it comes down to it all the disciples betrayed him just like Judas. Yeah, they didn't sell him out for 30 pieces of silver but they all ran away and even denied knowing him when Jesus needed (I hate putting that word there) them the most.
All it comes down to is everything is done for the Glory of God. I know that's the co pout answer for all things confusing for us but for some reason God chose 12 people who from the beginning (John 6:64) He knew would fold in the end to someone best glorify God.
During personal studies when I run into such predicaments as this I try to think outside of the box and praise God for the ways I can't understand (Isaiah 55).
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