The Loneliness of "Posing"

"Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night." John 13:30

Oh, how dark that night must have been for Judas. Jesus honored Judas by serving him the sopped bread, even as Judas honored Satan by plotting Jesus' betrayal. And as he went out of that historical supper (alone) and into the night, it must have loomed especially dark, because from that point on, the darkness never left him.

I don't know all the details of the potential NFL strike. Football is a game grown men play, and have played since they were children. They have been blessed with skills and talents that set them apart from about 99.99 percent of the population. And because they are set apart, they are also given financial reward beyond imagination. So, I don't get the debate; call me simple minded.

This football example was not to make any political point. It's just that while reading Matthew's gospel, I was reminded of the God-given abilities Judas possessed: "And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Now the names of the twelve are these: first, Simon . . . and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him." (Matt. 10:1-4)

Judas was one who had the power to heal, and cast out demons. He was set apart from 99.99 percent of the world's population to be selected for this inner circle of all history. An apostle's legacy was to last through eternity! In Judas' case, it would be a notorious one. Judas spoke four times in the gospels. Twice to selfishly lobby for money. Once to feign ignorance ("Is it I?"). And his last words recorded were accompanied with a kiss of betrayal: a betrayal of "convenience (See Mark 14:11). "

This betrayal was convenient because it was done in secret. It's what the chief priests wanted, for fear of the multitudes. An ironic tangle of human wisdom was on display as the chief priests were in such fear of man that fear of the LORD did not exist while they plotted the murder of His Son.

We strive for what to do. We strive to determine our purpose. We strive for direction, or riches, or power, or love. Hey, fellow saints, we are set apart. We have the opportunity to be in awe of this standing we have in Christ. There is no striving in Christ, just rest. By receiving Christ and following Him we have access to that historical supper, just like the apostles. What a contrast between Judas and John at this first "communion." John, so in love with His Savior, was reclined with his head on Jesus' bosom--at rest. Judas . . . plotting; striving . . . "What you do, do quickly," said Jesus. We all get to choose what we do with our seat at Christ's table.

Many follow the path of Judas because a convenient betrayal is . . . well . . . too convenient. The multitudes are watching. Joining is easy. Just show up at church, play the part, talk the talk, even feign loyalty ("Is it I?"). Church people all buy the act; they're sheep. But the emptiness remains, doesn't it? They go out quietly (alone) from that fellowship--from that historical supper, and it's a dark night. It could be high noon; but it is still night. Left to plotting and striving in this life, working hard at fooling others at the table, the darkness may come and never leave.

It doesn't have to be that way. In the church body today there are many at the table. Some are at rest in Jesus' bosom; others are plotting and striving, confused about this "rest." They are standing ever so close to the exit door, which leads to a dark night. In Revelation, Jesus says to a "wretched" church body that He stands at the door knocking. And if "anyone" would hear His voice and open the door, He would come in and dine with him. Even now, He is sopping bread of honor and offering it to those who hear His voice and open the door. For Judas it was too late. And it was night.

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The Triumphal (Weeping) Entry

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Matthew 23:37

Jesus knew by the end of the week He'd be put to death. He also knew that many of God's children would not only reject Him, but arrange for His execution. Yet His response was pity--sorrowful compassion. Jesus, speaking as God, lamented their rejection not of Him as a man, but their rejection of Him as their Savior.

Jesus spent three years in public ministry preparing the hearts of those who would choose to accept Him as the Son of God. You see, His entire ministry was the revelation of hundreds of Old Testament prophecies. Jesus spent His days living out the life of the prophesied Messiah. Now, as time was running out, this Messiah was weeping not for Himself, but for those who had not seen; those who had not heard (Oh, they had seen and heard, but chose to close their eyes and ears, while running their mouths). Jesus' blatant effort to make it obvious by procuring the colt of a donkey as He entered the city should have driven the point home for all the Jewish leaders. This exact day was prophesied hundreds of years ago!

The remnant scent of costly spikenard still on His feet (wonderful Mary); He receives the crowd's praise, but He is a Man of sorrows. He emptied Himself when He left His heavenly throne room to become the vessel for the sins of all mankind. Seated on the donkey as He descended upon Jerusalem, with the multitude chanting "Hosanna!," He realized most of this crowd will have their minds changed by men much "wiser" than they. He is a Man of sorrows, knowing most will choose eternal darkness. The chanting will soon become, "Crucify Him!" With all the prophecy; with all the signs; with the Old Testament books, how could they miss it? They ignored it all and rejected Him.

Today, we have the Old Testament, the New Testament, prophecies regarding the nation Israel falling into place . . . but wait. This nation--this world--has rejected the Old and New Testaments, prophecies, signs of the times. Most of this world will not know a prophecy if fireballs dropped out of the sky (and they will), because this world has rejected not only God, but the word of God.

The Old Testament was given to point Israel to the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. And Israel missed it. The New Testament was given to point the way to salvation for all through the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Today, we have both Old and New Testaments, and the Holy Spirit, to boot! Most will still miss it. They will deny, reject or explain away the return of Jesus Christ.

But He will descend again; this time not on the backside of a donkey, but on the clouds. And He will take with Him the remnant scent of faithful believers. If we know anything about the heart of Christ, He will be weeping still for those who have heard but will not understand; those who have seen but will not perceive. The opportunities to accept Him as Messiah were given then, as they continue to be given today. We cannot know those opportunities without knowing Him. We cannot please Him without coming to Him and believe that He is. (Hebrews 11:6)

I am not God, nor His Son, yet my heart weeps, too. In spite of the anger and hatred directed toward followers of Christ today, I cannot comprehend (and I thank God for that) an eternity separated from God. Even today, many still wave their palm branches in fickle worship of Him, but how many come to Him and believe that He is . . . Savior, Messiah, God.

Mary got it. And in getting it, she sat at His feet and poured out all she had to anoint Her Savior. How did she understand before so many other disciples? Look it up; this Mary was always depicted at the feet of Jesus. Are you not getting it? I know I cannot say this without sounding trite, but position yourself at the feet of the Savior; know Him; diligently seek Him. Waving a palm frond with thousands of others takes no effort but to just show up. But to know Jesus with the intimacy Mary experienced requires complete surrender to the belief that He IS.

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