Monday, August 20, 2012

We have denied Jesus!

When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” (Mark 14:17-20)
Let's face it . . . we all have done it in one way or another at more than one time in our lives. We have denied Jesus! I know we all want to put the blame on Judas . . . even Adam and Eve! But the truth is that we all have denied Jesus at some points along the way . . . inapropriate movies, coarse office joking, cheating on tests, aggressive driving . . . Yet as we read along in the Bible, we read that all of us fall short (Romans 3:23) yes all of us, even the greatest. Moses murdered and his anger got the best of him. Abraham lied and nearly lost Sarah. Remember when Sarah laughed at God? Even the might Peter denied Jesus on the very night He was arrested! So what is the differnce between Judas and the rest? Repentance!!!! Jesus forgives freely but we must freely and whole-heartedly repent. Repent means to turn away from and feel the guilt and shame of our sin. A simple "I'm sorry" does not cut it! Just as we desired sin, we must desire His cleansing! Jesus paid a terrible price for each of our sins and we must be willing to pay the price of discipleship! Are we willing to deny the world and follow Him!

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