Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver Him over to you?”  Matthew 26:14-15 ESV¹

Read Matthew 26:14-16, 20-25, 47-50 & 27:3-9; Mark 14:10-11, 17-21, 43-46; Luke 22:3-6, 47-48; John 13:18-30 & 18:1-6

I fear many of us who consider ourselves Christians have chosen Jesus but with false information and inaccurate expectations. We haven’t been given the full Gospel nor considered the whole cost. We may have said a special prayer, tried to sneak into the Kingdom as we raised our hands when every head was bowed and eye closed, or even boldly responded to an altar call. But that doesn’t mean much if we did it to please others or solely for personal gain. Some well-meaning people might have assured us we have free tickets to Heaven or eternal safety with our spiritual fire insurance. But if we chose Jesus for the wrong reasons, our commitment to Him is fraudulent. If our Christianity is self-focused, our following of Jesus is much like Judas Iscariot’s.

I Want You to Serve Me!

Judas was more than happy to follow Jesus when it meant popularity and the potential for earthly advancement. When Jesus began to go in a direction that didn’t fit Judas’ expectations, Judas’ attitude toward Him changed. When Judas wasn’t getting what he expected from his association with Jesus,

“Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver Him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment, he sought an opportunity to betray Him” (Matthew 26:14-16).

The fact that the chief priests offered thirty pieces of silver and that Judas accepted the amount gives us a hint of the value each of them placed on Jesus. According to the Mosaic Law, thirty pieces of silver was the amount due an employer if his servant was accidentally mortally injured.

“If the ox gores a slave, male or female, the owner shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned” (Exodus 21:32).

The servant’s death was compensated by the thirty pieces of silver. In the eyes of the chief priests and Judas, Jesus was no more valuable than the lowest of society. No wonder the religious leaders rejected Jesus when He became an offense to them. No wonder it was so easy for Judas to betray Jesus when he became disenchanted with Him.

But we might not be any different. Don’t we treat Jesus like a servant when we only choose Him for what He can do for us? Don’t we treat Him like a slave when we demand that He serve us? Aren’t we pretending to be His boss when we expect Him to work for our gain?

I Want You to Promote Me!

With thirty pieces of silver safely stashed, Judas went through the motions of a committed disciple all the while planning his Master’s demise. Judas readily joined the fellowship as he lounged with the other eleven disciples around the table at the Last Supper. Judas greedily partook of the selfless love of Christ as Jesus bent down, tenderly washed the dust from his feet, and wiped them with a towel. Not even a twinge of guilt disturbed him. No embarrassment gave away his secret. Yet, Jesus knew exactly what was going on.

After Jesus finished washing His disciples’ feet, got up from His knees, and took His proper place at the table, He said:

“‘I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, “He who ate My bread has lifted his heel against Me.” I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am He. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives the One who sent Me’” (John 13:15-20).

Jesus had served His disciples as an example of how they should treat others. Though Judas soaked up the pampering, the illustration wasn’t intended for him; it was for those who would, through the power of the Holy Spirit, imitate Jesus’ pattern in the future. Even the mention of the prophesy wasn’t for Judas. Judas’ mind was too occupied with his own promotion and seeking an opportunity to carry out his dastardly plan to heed any warning the mention of David’s betrayal by a close friend would have highlighted.

When we merely go through the motions of Christianity because it somehow makes us feel good about ourselves or satisfies some longing in us, we miss all of the benefits of a genuine relationship with Christ, benefits that propel us through love to promote Him. When we focus on using Jesus to achieve our goals, we are in danger of being on the wrong side when all is said and done.

I Want You to Affirm Me!

When God speaks to humans, He speaks to His nature in His children. Those who are not God’s children can hear the same words as authentic Believers but those words “speak” only to those who are truly in a relationship with the Almighty.

“After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in His spirit, and testified, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.’ The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom He spoke” (John 13:21-22). “And they were very sorrowful and began to say to Him one after another, ‘Is it I, Lord?’ He answered, ‘He who has dipped his hand in the dish with Me will betray Me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born’” (Matthew 26:22-24). “One of His disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at the table at Jesus’ side, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom He was speaking. So, that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to Him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.’ So, when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot” (John 13:23-26). “Judas, who would betray Him, answered, ‘Is it I, Rabbi?’ [Jesus] said to him, ‘You have said so’” (Matthew 26:25). “Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into [Judas]. Jesus said to him, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’ Now no one at the table knew why He said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the feast,’ or that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night” (John 13:27-30).

From the outside, Judas appeared to be a genuine disciple of Christ. Considering his behavior so far, Judas looked the same as the other disciples. When they heard about the betrayal, the faithful disciples were sorrowful, curious, and probably relieved when Jesus assured each of them that they weren’t guilty. But even when Jesus pointed out Judas as His betrayer, the other disciples didn’t expect anything evil of him. Nothing about Judas appeared to be contrary to Jesus and His mission.

Judas himself seemed deaf to Jesus’ declaration that he was the betrayer. Somehow, Judas left the Last Supper assured he was in good standing with everyone. He seemed to be successfully balancing his appearances among opposing groups. He didn’t realize he was merely a pawn in a spiritual battle. Judas, confident he was in the right, couldn’t have been more wrong because Satan was acting through him.

The human soul is a vacuum that desires to be filled but cannot satisfy its needs internally. Something from the outside must occupy the space in the human spirit. The human unconsciousness will either be filled with external good or evil. Because Judas did not allow himself to be filled with everything holy that was available to him, his spiritual void was filled with that which was unholy. The devil used Judas to do his dirty work. Because the religious leaders of Jesus’ time on Earth refused to acknowledge Him as Lord and Messiah, they were likewise manipulated by the evil one.

There is nothing more dangerous than thinking we are right with God when actually He has no claim on our soul. That mistake leaves us open to the influence and control of evil. We are in danger of being used by the devil and his agenda if we aren’t fully submitted to the Holy One.

I Want to Be Popular!

After Judas left the table, Jesus spent time teaching His faithful disciples the benefits of being fully submitted to God and He prayed for them. By then, Judas had collected everyone he needed to follow through on his promise to the chief priests to betray Jesus.

“When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with His disciples. So, Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons” (John 18:1-3).

“Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the Man; seize Him.’ And he came up to Jesus at once and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’” (Matthew 26:48-49). “[Judas] drew near to Jesus to kiss Him, but Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss’” (Luke 22:47b-48)? “And [Judas] kissed Him. Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you came to do’” (Matthew 26:50a).

“Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to Him, came forward and said to them, ‘Whom do you seek?’ They answered Him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am He.’ Judas, who betrayed Him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground. So, He asked them again, ‘Whom do you seek?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am He. So, if you seek Me, let these men go.’ This was to fulfill the word that He had spoken: ‘Of those whom You gave Me I have lost not one’” (John 18:4-9).

“And when those who were around Him saw what would follow, they said, ‘Lord, shall we strike with the sword?’ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And He touched his ear and healed him” (Luke 22:49-51). “Then Jesus said …, ‘Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father and He will at once send Me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?’ At that hour, Jesus said to the crowds, ‘Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture Me? Day after day, I sat in the Temple teaching, and you did not seize Me’” (Matthew 26:52-55). “‘But this is your hour, and the power of darkness’” (Luke 22:53b). “‘But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples left Him and fled” (Matthew 26:56). “Then they seized Him and led Him away, bringing Him into the high priest’s house” (Luke 22:54a).

Judas mechanically proceeded with his promise to betray Jesus. Seemingly no guilt gripped him as he disingenuously referred to Jesus as Rabbi and kissed Him on the cheek. Even when Jesus chastised him for using such an intimate greeting in his disloyalty, Judas didn’t reconsider. Even when Jesus called him a friend, Judas continued to stab Him in the back.

Earlier in His ministry, Jesus reprimanded the scribes and Pharisees for their ostensible displays of religiosity.

“‘You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: ‘“This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me; in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men”’” (Matthew 15:7-9).

Judas was an even bigger hypocrite. The religious leaders thought they were faithfully worshipping God but they never claimed to be Jesus’ disciples. Judas, on the other hand, professed to be a follower of Jesus yet his commitment to Jesus wasn’t authentic. This night in the garden likely wasn’t the first time Judas called Jesus Rabbi or kissed Him on the cheek. Judas probably did these things frequently but not out of love or respect for Jesus; Judas showed affection to gain position and favor.

Don’t we mimic the scribes and Pharisees when we verbally profess that Jesus is Lord of our lives but we don’t love Him or obey Him? Don’t we copy Judas when we pretend to belong to Him only when it suits us? Aren’t we hypocrites betraying Jesus when we continually evaluate if following Him benefits us in the world’s eyes and when we conclude otherwise, we turn on Him?

I Want My Plans to Succeed!

The Scriptures remind us that someday everyone will face the fact that Jesus is the One in authority. At that time, it will be evident which side we are on. Then it will be obvious if we attempted to use Jesus for our gain.

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in Heaven and on Earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).

A little bit of this power was revealed in the betrayal scene. When those that came mentioned that they were there to seize Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus declared, “I am He.” (see John 18:6 & 8). The word He is not in the original Greek; it is placed in our English translations because it makes more sense to us grammatically. What Jesus actually said was, “I AM.” I AM is the personal name of God given to Moses during his encounter with the burning bush.

“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I AM has sent me to you.” … This is My name forever, the name you shall call Me from generation to generation’” (Exodus 3:14 & 15b).

The Jews would have recognized that Jesus was identifying Himself as God. At that declaration, the power of that Name knocked them off of their feet. Though they were thrown off balance more than once, they continued the pursuit of destroying Jesus. Though Jesus responded in love—again showing He was divine—by healing the ear of the high priest’s servant who was unnecessarily injured in the mayhem, they responded with seething hatred.

Jesus’ enemies had concluded who they thought He was. Nothing changed their minds. They had determined what they thought Jesus deserved. They didn’t let anything, even a display of Supreme Power, keep them from going through with their plans.

Jesus is continually revealing Himself to humans through various means. When we are so absorbed with our pursuits, we miss Him. When we are blinded by preconceived ideas, we deny Him. When we are filled with hate, we are offended and attempt to destroy Him. Even those of us who claim to be His followers do these when our agendas trump Christ’s agenda in our lives.

Give Me What I Deserve!

If the Name of God had enough Power to level His enemies, they wouldn’t have the ability to capture Jesus unless the Father allowed them. A band of soldiers and officers with swords and clubs wouldn’t have been any match for twelve legions of angels if Jesus saw fit to call upon them. It was the mercy of God and His preordained plan that restrained the Father from incinerating Jesus’ enemies in the garden that night. The undeserved mercy of God and His desire to redeem humanity has protected humans time and time again. Yet, when His mercy is exhausted, all people who have not responded to that undeserved kindness will get what they deserve—judgment.

Jesus said of his betrayer,

“‘The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born’” (Matthew 26:24).

Judas’ self-focused following of Jesus came to a sad end.

“When Judas, His betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ They said, ‘What is that to us? See to it yourself.’ And throwing down the pieces of silver into the Temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, ‘It is not lawful to put them into the treasury since it is blood money.’ So, they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers. Therefore, that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet …, saying, ‘And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the LORD directed me’” (Matthew 27:3-10).

Outward repentance was not adequate to pay for Judas’ sin of betraying Jesus. The religious system which Judas worked to advance gave him no hope for atonement. All Judas gained by considering himself above Jesus was of no help to him. The only thing left was for him to attempt to remove his guilt by taking his own life.

Judas’ betrayal of Jesus was extremely costly for him. He didn’t only lose this life and his place in eternity; he lost his legacy here on Earth.

“In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, ‘Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. … For it is written in the Book of Psalms, ‘“May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it”; and ‘“Let another take his office.” So, one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when He was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to His resurrection.’ And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, ‘You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two You have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:15-17 & 20-26).

Judas was playing a game he couldn’t win. He didn’t realize it until it was too late. But he wasn’t the only one who missed the significance of what was happening. Satan thought he had the upper hand but lost all he gambled. And the religious leaders, though they should have known better, ended up on the wrong team.

If our repentance was only for show, it doesn’t make us right with God either. If we rely on our association with and promotion of religion to save us, we will be sadly disappointed. If we chum with Christ hoping for personal advancement, Jesus won’t intercede for us when we need him most. If concern for ourselves is our highest priority, we will be forced to defend ourselves at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  If our association with Jesus is all about us, we will discover we haven’t gained any points in Heaven. We might even find we lost everything we thought we gained on Earth too. All of our hopes for self-promotion will evaporate into thin air. None of our work will be worth it.

What Does God Want?

Both the human and evil spiritual forces who participated in the betrayal of Christ didn’t under that everything was going just as God had planned. Scripture was being fulfilled! That is why Jesus said:

“‘“He who ate My bread has lifted his heel against Me.” I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am He’”² (John 13:18b-19).

The prophesy to which Jesus referred was written by David.

“Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9).

Jesus declared that a specific event in David’s life pointed to Him as the Messiah. David was betrayed by Ahithophel, his close advisor (and grandfather-in-law)³ when Ahithophel sided with Absalom in a rebellion to claim the kingship. Ahithophel ended up committing suicide by hanging himself when the plot failed and his advice was not heeded. (See 2 Samuel 15, 16:15-17:14 & 23).

It is uncanny how similar Ahithophel and Judas’ betrayals of their masters were. Those around the table at the Last Supper who knew the Scriptures well may have wondered about the connection when Jesus mentioned this prophesy. After all the betrayal entailed was complete, the eleven observers of the actions would have understood fully what Jesus said and didn’t miss the parallels.

Also, the thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave, that Judas accepted as payment for betraying Jesus had been predicted hundreds of years in advance through a real-life event of the prophet Zechariah.

“Thus said the LORD my God: ‘Become shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter.’ … So, I became the shepherd of the flock doomed to be slaughtered by the sheep traders … And I tended the sheep … Then I said to [the sheep traders], ‘If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.’ And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver. Then the LORD said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter’—the lordly price at which I was priced by them. So, I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD, to the potter” (Zechariah 11:4, 7, 12-13).

Matthew pointed out that this prophesy proving Jesus was the Messiah was fulfilled when the religious leaders purchased a field belonging to a potter with the money Judas returned to them by throwing it in the Temple.

“Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet …, saying, ‘And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the LORD directed me’” (Matthew 27:3-10).

This prophesy was fulfilled by the very ones attempting to deny and destroy Jesus. By their actions they merely proved Jesus was indeed who He claimed to be. Humans and the evil forces who controlled them may have thought they were acting on their own volition but they were merely proceeding with God’s predetermined plan.

What God wants is to redeem the human race, obtain a Bride for His Son, and make her holy and worthy for that union. When we, who are intended to be part of that Bride, are individually selfishly expecting Christ to promote our little kingdoms, we aren’t being a part of His. No matter how much interference comes from evil forces and misguided humans, God will raise up a Bride for His Son but those of us who are hanging out with Jesus in an attempt to manipulate God into doing what we want may find ourselves outside God’s good, pleasing, and perfect plan.

Jesus Knows the Hearts of All

Nothing that happened during His whole betrayal and arrest was a surprise to Jesus. Jesus knew in advance He was going to be betrayed (see John 13:21) and He knew who would betray Him (see Matthew 26:23 & 25, John 13:27). Jesus knew exactly what would happen to Him (see John 18:4) and He knew that none of His true disciples would be lost (see John 18:9, 6:39 & 17:12).

As Jesus was revealing His betrayer, He reminded His genuine disciples:

“‘The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born’” (Matthew 26:24).

As He was being betrayed in the garden, Jesus restrained the disciple who was willing to fight for Him with this question:

“‘How then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so’” (Matthew 26:54)?

As His enemies seized Him, Jesus proclaimed:

“‘All this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled’” (Matthew 26:56).

Jesus was undoubtedly remembering prophesies like those of Isaiah.

“The LORD God has opened My ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. I gave My back to those who strike, and My cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not My face from disgrace and spitting” (Isaiah 50:5-6).

“He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away; and as for His generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of My people” (Isaiah 53:7-8)?

Jesus chose to go through with His Father’s plan even if it meant pain, heartache, and difficulty. Jesus knew what was to be gained by His sacrifice. All of it was worth it to Him. Jesus’ selfless attitude was astoundingly different from that of Judas’ selfish one. The outcome of Jesus’ offering was drastically dissimilar to Judas’ taking. The difference was all in the heart.

Jesus knows the heart of each one claiming to be His Follower. There is no pulling the wool over Jesus’ eyes. He knows those who belong to Him. We might deceive ourselves. We might fool others. But if we aren’t genuine Believers, we will never be able to trick Jesus into believing we are (see Matthew 7:21-23).

Peter Perceives Prophesy

Jesus shares His knowledge with those who are His. It was through the revelation of God that humans were and are able to distinguish Biblical writings as prophesy and to what they apply. When it was all said and done, Peter, using his Holy Spirit empowered knowledge, realized that the consequences of Judas’ actions were prophesied way before Satan figured out Judas could be influenced to turn upon his Master. Peter remembered:

“It is written in the Book of Psalms, ‘“May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it”; and ‘“Let another take his office”’” (Acts 1:20).

What Peter remembered were some impassioned words written by David under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Though David was speaking concerning those who had betrayed him, it was obvious to Peter that David’s experience foreshadowed Jesus’ and the curses David pronounced applied to Judas as well.

“Pour out Your indignation upon them, and let Your burning anger overtake them. May their camp be a desolation; let no one dwell in their tents. For they persecute him whom You have struck down, and they recount the pain of those You have wounded. Add to them punishment upon punishment; may they have no acquittal from You. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; let them not be enrolled among the righteous” (Psalm 69:25-28).

“Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is tried, let him come forth guilty; let his prayer be counted as sin! May his days be few; may another take his office! May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow! May his children wander about and beg, seeking food far from the ruins they inhabit! May the creditor seize all that he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil! Let there be none to extend kindness to him, nor any to pity his fatherless children! May his posterity be cut off; may his name be blotted out in the second generation! May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD, and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out! Let them be before the Lord continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth! For he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted, to put them to death. He loved to curse; let curses come upon him! He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him” (Psalm 109:6-20)!

Nothing escapes the eyes of an all-knowing God. Judas abused Christ’s mercy but he couldn’t cheat God’s justice. No wonder Jesus concluded that it would have been better for Judas to not have been born (see Matthew 26:24). If our association with Jesus is in name only, we won’t benefit from God’s mercy. If after choosing Jesus our behavior hasn’t changed and our desire isn’t for Christ’s glory, we won’t find God’s righteous judgment pleasant either.

He Desires to Give

Following Jesus like Judas did centers around the question, “What will you give me?” This kind of “Christianity” is full of expectations for service, promotion, and affirmation. It is a “gospel” that preaches popularity and success. It is a self-focused religion that anticipates comfort and demands one’s rights. It wants something from Jesus just not Jesus Himself. It doesn’t take into account what God wants, what Jesus deserves, or the deeper and more important things He wants to share with His Bride.

In our self-centered human nature, our idea of Jesus’ worth is that of a slave. But Jesus’ self-sacrificing idea of humanity’s worth is that of His priceless blood. The truth is: Jesus wishes to give to us abundantly. He wants to grant us His righteousness to replace our unrighteousness. He desires to offer us His strength in place of our weakness. He longs to exchange His life for ours.⁴ But that requires us to let go of our agenda so we can take hold of His. He died for us. Will we not live for Him?

If our concern in following Christ is what He will give us, most certainly, we will betray Him every time it is to our advantage. But if our attitude is that of what we can give for Him, we will find purpose, peace, and power in the perfect plan God has designed.

 

 

 

¹ Scripture quotations marked with ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All Scriptures are taken from the ESV unless otherwise noted. To aid in understanding, I have capitalized references to God.

² For more on this topic, check out: https://blueturtletrails.com/thirty-musts-of-the-messiah/

³ see 2 Samuel 11:3, cross reference with 2 Samuel 23:34

⁴ For more on the exchanged life, check out: https://blueturtletrails.com/the-great-exchange/, https://blueturtletrails.com/knowing-what-youve-got/ and https://blueturtletrails.com/unpacking-the-gift-from-jesus/