The Betrayal

Almost 2000 yrs ago, a certain man played into the hands of the devil, he of whom Jesus said "woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born" (Mk 14:21). For a moment, the 30 pieces of silver in his pocket gave him a good feeling but soon after the initial high, he was seized with remorse, returned the silver coins and hung himself (Matthew 27:3-5). It was too much for this mortal man to take. The conscience outweighed the initial euphoria, the reality fell short of the anticipation, a bigtime letdown not unlike that which Adam & Eve discovered after biting into the lies of the serpent in Genesis 3. That deceiver of old specializes in concocting lies, especially subtle ones that drip honey. Big, fat, juicy worms waiting for susceptible fishes to bite, bite, bite. Did the worms taste as sumptuous as they looked? Just ask that man known as Judas Iscariot. But oh, sorry, he's deader than dead. Dead men don't talk; resurrected ones do.

Today, the audition opens for a second season of The Betrayal. There's an opening for the lead role of Judas Iscariot. But hey, who would bite for 30 pieces of silver? No problem. Mr. Devil knows that. Prices have gone up, isn't it? How about a best seller, followed by box-office drama, interviews, merchandise, endorsements, etc? How about instant fame and recognition? How about a sequel, a game, a reality show? Look, look, a line is forming, fast and furious. Big, fat, juicy worms waiting for susceptible fishes to bite, bite, bite. Did the worms taste as sumptuous as they looked? Not sure. The Judas wannabees are too busy biting, chewing, and elbowing each other for a bigger bite to say anything.

"Don't bite!", I said. "We will be fools not to, you silly Christian!", they barked. Fools for Lucifer.

There is nothing new under the sun. The devil is still deceiving, looking for willing puppets to manipulate. What's 30 pieces of silver to him? Nothing. What's a blockbuster and box-office success? Nothing. He can even promise the Son of man the whole world for in Matthew 4:9, he said "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me". Why, he will do anything to bring as many people down with him as possible to the fiery lake. Because he doesn't want to die alone. Because he doesn't want to burn alone for eternity. Because each high of rebelling against and provoking God is getting shorter and each aftertaste getting stronger.

Pity the world. She's blind to the underlying reasons for the attacks on Jesus Christ. If she has as much as an ounce of common sense, she will do well to ask "why are all these attacks levelled squarely at the Christian faith? There must be something more, isn't it?

There is, and it is because Jesus Christ the Saviour is for real. Who would waste time attacking something that lacks credibility in the first place? Who would waste time discrediting something that isn't true? Who would waste time recruiting fools to fool others if the fools are of no use? Not the devil. He wouldn't waste 30 lousy pieces of silver or a box-office success if it ain't going to do him any good. He won't waste time recruiting fools if they ain't bringing more to join him at his death lake. He won't because he's dying and time is not on his side.

Christians, sleep no more.

Put on the armour of God. Arise and be prepared for the battle for souls. Take up your position. Be grounded in the Word of God. Know the truth, for it shall set you free and others whom you reach out to. Unite in prayer, let the power of the Holy Spirit flow through all of us, reach out and bring in the lost for Christ. There's never a more urgent time.

God bless you,

Thomas