Memorise: Now he that betrayed gave them a sign, Saying, whomsoever I
shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. Matthew 26:48
A witness
is someone who bears record that Jesus is the Son of God for heavenly
objectives to be realised, while a betrayer is also someone who bears the same
record but for destructive reasons; so that the objectives of the Devil can be
realised. I have a strong conviction within me that when Judas Iscariot was
carrying out this destructive goal, he did not know what it would end so badly.
He felt he knew Christ through and through. He was a very smart guy who
believed that Jesus as usual would find a way of escape from the Roman
soldiers, but unfortunately, the story did not end the way he envisaged. Are
you a betrayer or a witness? There are many people that started out as
witnesses but ended up as betrayers. They were portraying signs which they did
not see as too bad. They thought it was not dangerous. They believed that they knew
how to help themselves, till they met their fall. May this not be your portion
in Jesus’ name.
The kiss of
Judas was a customary form affectionate greeting among the Jews, and this was
the same gesture that Judas used in identifying Jesus to the band of officers
and Pharisees. The act of betrayal came from someone who was a companion of
Jesus in His ministry. A betrayer could be one of your equals who is not happy
with what God is doing in your life. Your betrayer may be your guide or your
acquaintance, like we saw in the story of the false prophet and the younger
prophet. Those who are most likely to betray you might not be far from those
you take counsel from, and walk to the house of God with. This is why you must
never allow anything to stand between you and God, because He is the only one
who can deliver you from their wickedness and mischief. If you don’t know how
to call upon God who alone can save you from the hands of betrayers, then you
are in trouble.
Amidst the
opposition of the unbelieving and disobedient Jews, John the Baptist decided to
be a witness. John was not in the palace, his ministry was in the wilderness,
yet people were going there to hear the Word of God because he was a true
witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Though John was not the Elijah they
wanted to see, they saw him witnessing about the person of Jesus with the zeal
and the power of a prophet. As a witness he was a lone voice in the wilderness.
The happenings of his day did not alter his message, and lives were being changed
and transformed. He preached repentance and he alerted the minds of the people
to the presence of God. Such messages are scarce on the Pulpits of 21st century
Pastors and Evangelists. No wonder some are beginning to doubt what they once
believed, which is eventually leading them to becoming betrayers rather than
witnesses.
Action Point: Are you a betrayer of or a witness the gospel? Pray for me
on this my special day, that God should continue to strengthen me as I take the
gospel to more nations of the world.
Read: John 1:20-34, 20 And he confessed, and denied
not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art
thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an
answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? 23 He
said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of
the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. 24 And they which were sent were of
the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why
baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that
prophet? 26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water:
but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27 He it
is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not
worthy to unloose. 28 These things were done in Bethabara
beyond Jordan Israel
Bible in one year: John 6:60-8:30, Job 31:5-15
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