Empty Words

TITLE: Empty Words
DATE: April 4, 2019
TEXT: Matthew 26:25  - ESV -  Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”
Parents are almost always proud of their children.
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Knowing that, the young missionary said, "What a beautiful baby!" to the Chinese mother. She gave him a look-that-could-kill. It certainly let him know that he had made a serious mistake, a grievous blunder in etiquette.… although it took him sometime before he could figure out where he had gone wrong.

It was only later that he heard, according to Chinese superstition, no child should ever be complimented.. If you do you run the risk of the devil becoming envious and trying to steal the child away.

What he should have said to that mother was something like, “Heavens woman, where did you ever get that totally ugly child. You need to take a look at his guarantee and see if there is still time to return him to his manufacturer.” Saying things like this, with a kindly motivation, will keep the devil uninterested and the parents popping buttons with pride.

Judas had no such kindly motivation when he lied to Jesus at the Last Supper.

Sitting in the presence of the Savior, Who would, within 24-hours, die to save souls and forgive sins, Judas denied his plans to betray the Savior. He ignored Jesus when He tried to pull him back from the betrayal. Instead he boldly declared his innocence and denied any thought of wrongdoing.  

Satan had a good hold on Judas. He continues to do the same today, to others.

As a parish pastor I worked with many parents who promised to bring their newly-baptized child to church – when, as the passing years revealed, they had little intention of keeping their promise. Truth was, after the baptism, they and their child weren’t going to be  seen at worship anytime soon.

But parents at the Baptismal Font aren’t the only ones whose words don’t always ring true. There are too many young people who, at Confirmation, pledge to be “faithful until death so they could receive the crown of life.” Sadly some of them weren’t even faithful the following Sunday. Then there are the couples who wanted the Lord’s blessings as they said their wedding vows. I hate to say it, but the reality was some of them merely wanted to borrow the photographic beauty of the Lord’s house.

Jesus must be pained at their false words.

Now I share all this because although it is too late for anything to be done for the lost disciple; there is time to bring back those who break their promises to the Lord. Pray that the love of the Christ may touch these folks and bring them back to the family of faith and forgiveness.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You tried to call back the betraying disciple, Judas. Send Your Holy Spirit and call back those in the church who have wandered from Your grace; who have forgotten the truth of Your cross. In Your Name I ask it. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html