9/23/09

Matthew 27:1-10 (New International Version)

Matthew 27
Judas Hangs Himself
1Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. 2They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
3When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4"I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."
"What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility."

5So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

6The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." 7So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. 8That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."[a]

The religious leaders had to go to Pilate to get rid of Jesus. Ironically pilate found Jesus innocent. He could not find a single fault in Jesus, nor could he contrive one. Pilate wanted to drop the charges but the religious leaders refused. Judas tried to change his plans but it was to late. Many of the plans we set into motion cannot be reversed. It is best to think of future consequences before we launch into actions that we may later regret. When Judas went to the religious leaders for forgiveness, they would have none of it. Not only did they reject Jesus, they had rejected their role as priests. They felt no guilt for giving Judas the "blood money", but they wouldn't accept it back because it was "blood money". Their hatred for Jesus caused them to lose all sense of Justice.

This brings me to another point. God wants all of us. He desires our full devotion. Where we worship is not as important as why we worship and how much of ourselves we offer to God when we worship. The kind of worship that pleases God has four characteristics. 1. God is pleased when our worship is accurate. Worship must be based on the truth of scripture, not our opinion of God. 2. God is pleased when our worship is authentic. Worship is your spirit responding to God's spirit. It must be genuine and heartfelt. Heartless praise is an insult to God. He wants your honest, real love. We can worship God imperfectly but we cannot worship him insincerely. God pleasing worship is deeply emotional and deeply doctrinal. We use both our hearts and minds. The best style is one that most authentically represents your love for God, based on the background and personality God gave you. There is no "one size fits all" approach to worship and friendship with God. One thing is certain. You don't have to bring glory to God by trying to be someone he never intended for you to be. 3. God is pleased when our worship is thoughtful. Always be sincere and reflective when praising him. 4. God is pleased when our worship is practical. We should offer our bodies as living sacrifices. God appreciates our sacrifices of thanksgiving, praise, humility, repentance, offerings of money, prayer, serving others, and sharing with those in need.Praise God even when you don't feel like it. When you get out of bed to worship, when you are tired or when you help others when you are worn out, you are offering a sacrifice of worship to God. That pleases him.

Heavenly Father I come to you today asking you to forgive me where I fail you. I thank you for the many blessings that you bestow in my life. Thank you for my wonderful children and I pray that you put a blanket of protection around them today. I pray for my friends and family that you give them what they need as you already know what that may be. Help me to be close to you today Lord. I ask to understand your ways and for you to show me your will. May your name be glorified today. I lift all my problems up to you as well as my blessings. They are yours Lord. I pray that your name is spoken consistently today by your many children. In your precious name I pray......amen