Greed and Pride
S- "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" Matthew 26:15
O - This verse strikes at the very heart of man, that is our greed and our pride. "What are you willing to give me?" The first danger to watch out for in our lives is greed. Judas was prepared to sell his friend and his soul for coins. Even after three years of constant companionship with Jesus, this man chose greed over loyalty. The lure of money was too much. No wonder the scriptures say you cannot serve God and money. The second danger which men and women fall into is pride. "if I hand him over to you?". The pride that says, we are all we need. We are the ones who are in control of our lives. We decide what to do, when to do it, and why. God is irrelevant. Considering his will for us is irrelevant. Judas was under the false assumption that Jesus was unaware of the plans to kill him. But there was a bigger picture which Judas knew nothing about. God had a plan, and it was that sin and death could be defeated once and for all through the death of Jesus. God knew Judas' heart (full of greed and pride) and therefore allowed him to be used in a plan which reversed evil, for good.
A - There is always a caution to check my heart and to keep greed and pride at bay. I don't think I necessarily have a problem with greed, but I know I do at times with pride. I do not want to be deceived, that these two dangers do not exist in my heart.
P - Search my heart Lord, and see if there is any offending way within me, and lead me into the path of everlasting life. Amen.
Daily Reading - Matthew 26
Overwhelmed? Pray!
ReplyDeleteS - "Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." Matthew 26:38
O - Jesus felt deep anguish. He felt sorrowful and troubled. The cross filled him with dread. God had come to earth, helpless, a baby, in a manger. But now, this! Suffering lay ahead. Sinless Lamb taking on the sin of the world and the wrath of the Father.
Two responses stand out to me in this passage. First, Jesus prays. That's his response. He cries out to the Father for strength went facing an overwhelming future event. Secondly, he prays with others. He calls his disciples to pray with him in his moment of overwhelming anguish.
A - I will face times when I am filled with fear and sorrow. Will prayer be my first cry? God wants to help me, to hear me, to strengthen me. May this be my first response. Jesus knows what it feels like. He's been there. Wisdom leads to praying first.
God has placed me in a family, a spiritual family. I don't need to suffer alone. When I am afraid and facing up coming trouble like Jesus I can ask others to pray with me. I can use the prayer team, the staff, deacons, family and friends to stand with me in prayer.
P - Father, ask we seek a new Associate Pastor, Lord lead us! As we look to you for financial provision, Lord make a way! As we seek to reach the 80 - 100 thousand people in this region, Lord empower us and move by you Spirit! Amen.
Daily Reading - Matthew 26