Better Off Dead

03.07.13

Mark 14.21 21 "...For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” (ESV)

Judas done a bad, bad thing: he didn’t believe. Going to the priests was just a symptom: he didn’t believe. Scolding the woman with the costly perfume (I think he was the ringleader in this instance that stirred up the rest of the pack) was a symptom: he didn’t believe. Woe to those who don’t believe.

Belief is the key issue in the entire Bible; belief is where the line is drawn: either we take God at His word – or we don’t. And all of relationship with God hinges on that one thing: belief. It simply boils down to that. Judas wasn’t condemned because he led the mob up the hill to arrest Jesus; Judas was condemned because he didn’t believe. It would have been better at that moment had he never been born.

Pretty darn strong words don’t you think? We could make excuses for old Jude if we think about it but dang it, he was right there! He saw all of the miracles and heard all the sermons.  How much of an excuse does he deserve? You and I deserve more of a pass for unbelief than he did. He didn’t believe.

It’s my personal belief that belief is a sacrifice demanded for all that is too burdensome for some. Some just want to go their own way. Some just cannot handle the (perceived) pressure of belief. They feel as if by attempting to believe they are dragged far out into deep, deep water and then forced to swim ashore – as if belief is all up to them. The tension between their reason and the (perceived) unreasonableness of faith is just too much. They try so hard to color in black and white what can only be expressed in gray.

And part of belief has to be built upon the foundation of this: If you say so. Jesus sees and Jesus knows: “…one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” Maybe someone ratted out Judas. But maybe Jesus had demonstrated omniscience just one too many times for Judas’ taste. Judas was fed up and did what his unbelief goaded him to do. The voices in his head sneaked up and ate him alive. Psalm 36 says this:

Transgression speaks to the wicked

    deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes.

For he flatters himself in his own eyes 

that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.

The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;

    he has ceased to act wisely and do good.

He plots trouble while on his bed;

    he sets himself in a way that is not good;

    he does not reject evil. (Psalm 36.1-4)

Lord, search my heart and know me and show me where I doubt and believe. Help me to show up at Your door each day believing and trusting in all You have for me – You are my Only Hope. Amen.