Bible
Study: Isaiah 50, 4 to 9 and Matthew 26, 14 to 25.
For the
past three days, our Gospel readings have been hovering around the character of
one man who stabbed his master in the back, one man who valued money more than
anything else, one man who allowed Satan enter into his heart by becoming an
agent to the very people who were looking for a way to capture Jesus, one man
who identified Jesus with a symbol of love – a kiss.
Well, we
all know how Judas Iscariot ended. However, there is another Judas Iscariot
that is still alive, that is the Judas Iscariot that lives in me. The Judas
Iscariot who loves to take advantage of what I know about the people who are
closest to me and use my knowledge for their destruction.
Sometime
ago in Benin City, a man was kidnapped and held bound for many days while his
family was been contacted to produce the sum of ten million naira. In the
process, there was confusion among the kidnappers because the family did not
seem to be forth coming with the money. In the midst of the confusion, an
argument broke out as to whether or not the man would be killed. That was when
the man who had been blindfolded overheard the voice of his only brother among
the team of kidnappers. And he exclaimed: “Heeei, my brother! So you too are
one of them?” Upon realising that his brother knew he was the mastermind of the
kidnap, the man took to his heels but eventually, the police got hold of him
and he now rests peacefully in prison.
Don’t I
also betray my family members, my closest friends, or my trusted colleagues for
the sake of making money? Don’t I reveal the secrets and weak points of people
who have confided in me over time?
Matthew tells
us that Judas was the one who went to meet the Chief Priests himself to ask:
“What will you give me if I deliver him to you?” He knew Jesus better than them
and he knew how best to capture him so armed with this knowledge, he bargained
with them and even requested for his money upfront. They paid him thirty pieces
of silver not minding if he would decide to run away with their money, I guess
he must have convinced them beyond doubt of success.
Has my
knowledge of Jesus become a means of obtaining money from people? Do I use my
knowledge to promote the work of evangelization FREELY or do I sell Jesus to
people in the name of church? Do I request for huge sums of money from people
just to carry out special prayers or to consult Jesus on their behalf?
Let us
Pray:
Lord
Jesus, help me to face the spirit of Judas Iscariot in me and learn not to
place money above my faith. Amen.
God bless
you. Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you.
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