Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
THE INCOMPARABLE GIFT
In the poem "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley he wrote: "I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul." He thought that in and of ourselves we are capable of spiritual strength and courage. That we alone are the decision-makers in our life. We are the sole authority over ourselves. We determine our destiny. What he forgets is God and His Word, human nature, and that little word "sin." Jesus tells us; we are not our own - we were bought at a price – we are to glorify God in our body and in our spirit, which are God's. As far as spiritual strength Jesus assures us; without Me you can do nothing.
We want to guard against the deceitfulness of our nature. Judas is an example of how deceitful and deadly human nature truly is! He rejected Jesus because of his sinful nature's desire for what this life offered. It seems he thought of Jesus as only a man, a man he thought he could fool! Jesus told His disciples on Maundy Thursday, "One of you will betray Me." The disciples hadn't expected that, it caught them off guard! It's interesting to see what went through their minds. Each thought, "Could I be the one to do the unthinkable?" The disciples were deeply concerned, so much so that each of them asked Jesus the same question, "Lord, is it I?" Judas was a cunning man, wise in the ways of evil and deception, but he couldn't deceive Jesus! Judas also asked, "Rabbi, is it I?" He should have known that Jesus knew. Jesus' response must've surprised Judas, "You have said it."
Judas' betrayal led him into complete despair. Instead of turning to Jesus for forgiveness he gave up any hope of God's grace. That led him into such terrible depression and conscience pains that he couldn't bear it-- and he hung himself! The full and free forgiveness Jesus gives was for him also but he gave up-- despaired of God's grace. Jesus died for Judas, but he wouldn't benefit from the Lord's death.
Judas chose his fate by casting his lot with the world. How many throughout time have chosen to follow in his footsteps? How many will deny Jesus for their "30 pieces of silver"? For a mere handful of shiny trinkets that so easily capture the attention. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? We have been freely given-- even as it was offered to Judas-- forgiveness and life eternal. Jesus' blood cleanses us from all sin. Can anything in this life, even life itself, compare?
