April 9th, 2020

Good day to everyone,
It's the Thursday before Easter Sunday. Which means this night is the night that over two thousand years ago Jesus was betrayed by one of HIs disciples.  Judas Iscariot is a name that is etched in history as the ultimate betrayer. Someone who walked with Christ; someone who heard the words of Christ first hand; someone who was trusted by Christ. And yet, in spite of all that, he made a choice to betray His master. 

Let me present an scenario that some may have heard that provides food for thought on a possible motive for the betrayal.  Among the Jews, there was a common expectation that when the Messiah would come, He would arrive as a conqueror, destroying Israel's enemies and returning Israel to her days of glory.  A thought that exists is that Judas Iscariot understood that Jesus was the Messiah but felt that Jesus was not doing what the Messiah was supposed to be doing. Therefore, the act of betrayal was geared to force Jesus' hand and get Him to act like He was supposed to.  The idea being that when the soldiers would show up to arrest Jesus, His hand would be forced and He would do what the Messiah was supposed to do.

What this thought on the reasoning behind the betrayal indicates is that although Judas heard all the words of Jesus first hand, his actions were dictated by his own understanding of how things were supposed to be.  This is not altogether uncommon. In a Bible study Pam led in Chile, a person said, "I know that is what Jesus said, but such a teaching is out of line with how we do things in Chile. Therefore, that teaching does not apply to us.". That person leaned on their own understanding.

Leaning on our own understanding can cause us to seek answers that are not in line with what we learn in the Scriptures. This provides yet another reason why it is so important to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our daily reading and devotions. To lean on His wisdom, His words, His teaching, and not what we think is right.

Proverbs 3:5-6 exhorts us: [Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.]  Today, as we move forward in another day that is a gift from the Lord, let us lean on Him fully trusting He has things in control. 
Have a blessed day, Vic