Champion of the poor- John 12:1-8, 13:29
When
Jesus said "Follow ME" to His disciples, it was to make them
Apostles, for a future that transcended the temporal. To make them foundations
of the new earth. Rev 21:14.
Jesus
allowed Judas Iscariot an office within the group but he abused the privilege
and shut the Master out of his heart to pursue that office. Judas got more closer to
the people out there than to his Master and his co-disciples. He became the
champion of the poor at the expense of his discipleship input from his
discipler, Jesus. He rather followed the people outside in his heart.
Friend of the natural, the earthy, the wicked- Mark
14:10-11,Matt 26:13-14
The
chief priests who were seeking the downfall of his Master became his
acquaintances. Judas befriended the critics and killers of his Master. Remember, Jesus refused conversation with Herod who beheaded John the Baptist. That is
loyalty. Judas displayed the trait of the traitor. He back stabbed his Friend
and betrayed Him with a kiss.
Many
disciples were and are still releasing assets in order to move closer to Jesus.
After following Jesus for three years, how did Judas come to negotiate to buy a
land? To do what with? He was never weaned from assets, from the market
economy. He was a friend of the earth. He
was earthly minded, following Jesus physically but not connected to Him.
Slave of a sinful habit, sought no help, rather covered up with
ministry- John 12:6
The
whole idea of discipleship is to help us overcome our struggles. All the other
disciples came forth with their struggles and got help, e.g Thomas (doubts).
Judas isolated himself in his struggles. He was enslaved to greed but he
covered it with his ministry to the poor. He drifted away from his Master and
friends where he could get help and clung to the purse.
Careless Assumption, he shunned all his Master's warnings- Jn
6:70-71, Jn 13, Mtt 26:25
-
Judas assumed on his actions. He thought Jesus would escape the chief priests
miraculously.
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Judas shunned all his Master's warnings.
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Judas was careless with time and with his destiny.
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Judas got to a point of no return. Luke 22:3, Matt 27:3, Jn 13:27, Acts1:17-20.
- Lord, let me be clear with Your call of "Follow Me." Make me a disciple who follows.
- Give me a vision and a scope in my discipleship that transcends the present. Sharpen my vision for the far future in my discipleship, even for eternity.
- Don't let me jeopardise the future for present gratifications.
- Help me take advantage of this incubation while it is there. Don't let me run when it is too late.
- Help me place a higher premium on my following You for instructions into my life. Don't let me prefer ministering to people to my following the Master. Help me make myself available for You to instruct, rebuke, challenge. Groom my life for glory.
- Don't let me endear the people to myself as a cover up of my insubordination.
- Remove every trait of the traitor and back stabber from my life.
- Deliver me from every residue of sinful habits. They are capable of throwing me out if left undealt with. For Judas it was greed, for me, it may be.................
- Help me cry out for help while it is available. Make me close to my Master Jesus, to my disciplers on ground and to my fellow disciples. Don't let me delay in seeking help for my life. Begin from helping my heart, Lord please.
- Remove careless assumptions from me. Make me tremble at Your Word and warnings
- Make me unlike Judas in my discipleship. Help my heart quickly Lord.
Thank You for helping me thus far. I trust
You with my now and future.
Join this HeartCry Prayer- Every Wednesday 11.30am-2.30pm (UK time)
Join this HeartCry Prayer- Every Wednesday 11.30am-2.30pm (UK time)
