Matthew 27

As I read Matthew 27 I am struck by the contrast and the agony of two individuals, Judas and Jesus. One deceives and the other is deceived. Both are pursued by the Jewish leaders, but one for what he can do for them and the other for what He is doing to them. One can’t forgive himself, the other forgives his killers. One accomplishes work for the earthly ruler (Satan) and the other for the Heavenly Father. Both die in this chapter.

What is the difference? How can one be victorious and the other defeated? I personally have to reflect frequently on this difference to have joy and comfort. The difference I have learned is that Christ has an eternal perspective, that He sees the big picture and trusts His Heavenly Father. Too often when I find myself feeling down or depressed, I quickly can pinpoint how I got caught up in Satan’s lies; that I was not relying on the biblical truths that I know. That this world is our temporary home. Death is not what God desired for us, heaven is what he desired. Remembering this brings me great comfort and joy. Because I know where I stand with regards to eternity. I have chosen Jesus as my Savior. I know that my sins would result in death and eternal damnation. But Jesus death and Resurrection for me, provided a path for me to crossover from earthly fears and damnation to heavenly truths and salvation.

Judas death scares me. Here is a man that walked with Jesus, was chosen to follow Jesus by Him. He saw the miracles and history was unfolding before his very eyes. But even all this was not enough for Judas. He still was overcome by the temptation of money. I know my heart and without the Holy Spirit I am defenseless. I am so grateful for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Someone that I can trust to fight the battles, battles that I have lost most of my unsaved life.

I learned around 15 years ago as I struggled with a sin that in my own strength and flesh I would never win. Fortunately, a Christian counselor informed me of the role of the “Counselor”, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would fight the battle for me. All I needed to do was to choose step aside and let the Holy Spirit fight for me. Praise God it has been almost 15 years of victory.

Just like the contrast of Judas' and Jesus' lives, there is a stark contrast in my own life. The contrast of leading a carnal life that I led prior to a personal relationship with Jesus and now the Spirit led life that I continually choose to live. As I look back at my life I see a progression of change. A friend from New York that knew me there and then worked for me here in Texas, noticed the change and wanted to know what had happened. I was blessed to share my testimony and he is now leading a Spirit led life also.

So both Judas and Christ made choices. Judas chose to give into sin. You might argue, he didn’t have the Holy Spirit. Didn’t he? He had someone just as good in the flesh, Jesus Christ. Why didn’t he hold fast to Jesus, was it selfishness, greed, unbelief or pride. Probably a bit of all of these, but what if he had continued to focus on eternity? Would he have made the same choices?

Jesus on the other hand was faced with certain death through torture and crucifixion. How could He overcome fleshly weakness, of fear and selfishness? Surely He could have passed the basket and made a nice little profit. Jesus wasn’t living for the “now”, He was looking at the bigger picture of eternity. His driving motive was that of love.

He loved each of us. He loved each of us enough to take our sins as His own and die a horrible death for us. He did this out of love. Sounds like a great Hollywood movie plot doesn’t it. How many times has Hollywood taken the Messiah story and changed the characters. We love Luke Skywalker, the chosen one of Star Wars. But do we love Jesus the same way. Are you as excited about Jesus return as you are about Star Wars 7?

PRAYER

Lord, help us to keep our eyes on heaven, to remember that everything that happens today on earth is temporary. Help us to choose to serve you each and every day. To love you with an unfathomable love!!!

So someday I may get to play catch with Mickey Mantle in Heaven. How cool is that!

Joe LoSurdo | Elder

Joe committed his life to Christ in February of 1994 through attending Hill Country Bible ChurchNorthwest. He and his wife, Debbie, have two married children and five grandchildren. Joe has served in Student, Children’s, Small Group, Assimilation, Benevolence, and Biblical Guidance Ministries. Joe and Debbie joined Hutto Bible Church in June of 2009.