Dishonorable Vessel

Twelve men he chose to follow him; they followed without question or hesitation

He taught them in the desert and in towns with no set destination…

Within the camp they became friends, brothers…

Leaving home, and all others, to be taught and serve, wherever their teacher would lead them.

But one he chose, was a thief and a liar, a keeper of the books, but he was a crook…

And with each scornful look, Judas complained…

“Why waste that costly perfume to anoint your feet, when it could be sold and given to the poor?”

His heart was wicked standing before the Lord.

Jesus said, “The poor you have with you always.”

Knowing Judas’s heart, he left him in his own deceit.

Drinking wine and eating bread, at the table Jesus said,

One of you will betray me…all gasped and wondered, “Is it me? I would never…”

“The one who dips his bread into the bowl this night, is he who will betray me.

Judas what you do, go and do quickly.”

Thirty pieces of silver paid.

In the garden, Judas came to the Lord, kissed his face, and the contract was made, Satan entered Judas’s heart. And on this dark, frightful night, where Jesus had prayed, soldiers came and took Him away.

Crucified, and in a tomb, they laid the blessed Savior.

Judas consumed with guilt and shame, threw the money at the self-righteous men; they were repulsed by the traitor, no longer known as Jesus’s friend. He realized what he had done.

To late to change, too late for regret, Judas went to the place called “the Valley of Hinnom (the field of blood) overcome with torment and grief, he hung himself and died.

Without true repentance, confession and turning away from your sin, the soul is most tormented. It’s not that Jesus would not forgive him; Judas could not forgive himself.

The heart is exceedingly wicked who can know it? Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse and set us free…

If you are constantly complaining and critical…

If you are greedy and self-seeking with your own agenda

A word of exhortation…

Your heart is sick and needs healing, turn away from the accuser and give Jesus your heart completely…

Do not betray the Lord as Judas did with a kiss.

Lay down your flesh and resist…

The devil will not give you peace, no, he will sell your soul at the highest price, he’ll take your soul and your life…

Repent and cling to Jesus Christ. You have a choice. Instead of a dishonorable vessel be a vessel of honor!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 31, 2021

John 13:26-27 New International Version ²⁶ Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. ²⁷ As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So, Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”

 Matthew 26:14-16 New International Version Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus ¹⁴ Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests ¹⁵ and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So, they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. ¹⁶ From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

 John 12:4-5 New International Version ⁴ But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ⁵ “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”

 Zechariah 11:12-14 New International Version ¹² I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So, they paid me thirty pieces of silver. ¹³ And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they valued me! So, I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord. ¹⁴ Then I broke my second staff called Union, breaking the family bond between Judah and Israel.

 Psalm 41:9 New International Version ⁹ Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.