Good Lesson from a Bad Example

Daily Scripture Threshing for Sunday, May 30, 2021

Today’s Text: Matthew 27:1-10

Key Verse: Matthew 27:3 (NKJV) — “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders."

There is a strange monument in Saratoga, New York, a sculpture of a boot and an inscription of praise that never mentions the name of the one being memorialized. It is a monument meant to honor the bravery of Benedict Arnold, who was a general during the Revolutionary War, whose actions had helped avoid disaster at the battle of Saratoga. This was before he later became a traitor by trying to sell out West Point Colonial Fort. The memory of his action will forever leave Americans with an ambivalent feeling because while they think of praising him for his bravery that saved Saratoga, they also revile him for becoming a betrayer. Therefore, to recognize his early bravery; his boot was memorialized because he had been wounded in the leg in battle; but his name was never mentioned on the inscription. That’s the way it is for traitors: all the good they have done is obscured by their act of betrayal.

Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus also learned this pain of becoming a bad example. And now us a good lesson to us today. All his good works, service to the master, the discipline of discipleship, following all the way through all the regions, and serving in hunger all went down the hill. He ended up a betrayed, a bad example. He failed to yield to the warning conscience. He inevitably fell victim to the gnawing conscience. The one comes before while the other comes after sin. We must learn to yield to the silent voice of warning and restraint, otherwise, the destruction of a gnawing conscience is imminent. May we not end up like Judas, losing all the rewards of our labor. It would have been better his name, like Benedict Arnold's, were not mentioned. How you would end your service and labor for the Lord is therefore a choice you alone can make. Judas‘s repentance was real, but his distress from his gnawing conscience could not match the weight of his fall. Are you looking for a Savior who would let you follow your selfish plans for your own life? You're probably more like Judas than you think. Please learn.

Quote for the Day: “We are not saved by a great church and worship. No, not by great privilege to follow and serve Jesus; and not by high offices and titles. We are saved by a genuine personal encounter and relationship with Jesus." (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me follow you with a sincere motive through the journey. Do not allow evil heart of unbelief to thrive within me. Help me to be loyal to the cross all the way, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a fantastic service today and happy month end.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

The Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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