Mark 14:43-46
Then, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, “the man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely.” He came and immediately went over to him and said, “Rabbi.” And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him.
I am often inclined to take control for my life into my own hands. Sounds pretty reasonable. From the time I was a child, I have been learning about how to take more and more control. When I was young I had very little control over my choices, in fact most of them were made for me. But gradually as I grew up, I was able to be trusted with more and more decisions. Today, I pretty much have total freedom over the choices I make, both good and bad. That’s what maturity is all about right? Maybe to some extent, but maybe not as much as I used to think. As I get older and more “mature” I am learning that as a Christian, growth has more to do with giving up control of my life rather than taking on more. In other words, growth in our relationship with God is more about being dependent than it is being independent.
Judas failed this test. He sought to be the master of his own life, and because of his desire to control his destiny, he never fully submitted to Jesus leadership. In the end, this is what led to his act of betrayal. Judas got the money he was promised, but with it he received the curse that always comes when we seek to be master of our own life: death.
Are you giving up more of your life to Jesus, or are you trying to take more control of it?
Lord, we pray that you would give us strength and endurance. Lord, give us what we need to remain empowered by you and no one or nothing else. Lord we are so weak, but in you we are made strong.
Dave for Wellspring © 2008
