Betrayer

Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. (NIV - Proverbs 4:5)

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Mark 14: 43-52 NIV

I've re read these verses over and over again the past few days and the one thing that stands out is this naked man in verse 51,52.  Did you catch this: "51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind."  It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how many times we read this library of books (The Bible), there will always be a new fact that stands out.  I kept asking God two questions, who is this; and why was he mentioned here?  In the Life Application Study Bible, it states that tradition says that this young man may have been John Mark, the writer of this Gospel.  This incident is not mentioned in any of the other Gospels.  Interesting right?  Let me know if you receive any more revelation on that.

Ok, moving on... These verses mark Judas as Jesus' official accuser.  He was the gateway for the religious leaders and their mission to issue a warrant for Jesus' arrest.  My questions here are,  did Judas really know who Jesus was?  Was he so blinded by greed and/or power that he would lie on the Innocent, Pure and Good?  Was this always in Judas character to be a betrayer and a liar?  For, Judas had no fear in stepping to Jesus and betraying Him with a kiss.  He got all up in Jesus' face, only to bring Him down.  How did he fail to grasp the prophecy that he was told, and walk right into fulfilling it?

Then I turn this around to how can these questions apply to us.  What are the sins, the evil, the things against God and His Word that we allow to slip and slide right on by?  That we allow ourselves to ignore?  That we allow ourselves to continue to do?  That we allow ourselves to come so close to?  That we allow ourselves to sit in, while being all up in Jesus' face on Sunday (or whatever day)?  What are the areas of our character that can lead us down the wrong road OR, IS currently leading us down the wrong road?

Jesus not only told His Disciples what was yet to come, but He has left His Word to let us know what is coming.  Are we pretending to know Jesus, to call Him our LORD, Savior, our Friend; only to betray Him in the end?  God is so faithful to us; to each and every one of us.  There are some mysteries, but God doesn't hide what we need to know.  It is always before us.

What are each of us going to do TODAY, to close that door that is open to satan?  How are we going to make sure he has no room to stir us in the wrong direction; to do things against our God?  How are we going to make sure that we are not just going through the motions, allowing this world to defeat us.  Yes, we have the gift of forgiveness.  But how about we start thinking about honor and obedience first; in steps to conquer what is set to try to conquer us!

Be more than a conqueror today!

PRAYER: Father, I declare Your lovingkindness this morning and Your faithfulness at night.  You LORD, have made me glad through Your work, I will triumph in the works of Your hands.  For it is the work that You are doing in me, to will and act according to Your purposes.  You do not fail LORD.  I am thankful and confident in the successes You have created and committed to in me.  Keep me on the same page, in the same lane, in the way of my Great LORD.  I don't want to be the one who stands in the way of the greatness You have destined for my life.  You are so good!  Thank You Jesus.  In Your Name I pray.  Amen.