Elkan's Word For Today

ABOUT  TEMPTATIONS (Part 4)

 “And he took THE CUP, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink you all of it; For this is my blood of the new covenant, WHICH IS SHED FOR MANY FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS”. (Mt 26:27, 28).

As a child, I used to think “betrayal” was a bigger sin than “denial”. Why? Because Peter DENIED Jesus and still remained an apostle, but Judas BETRAYED Him and went to Hell. However, when you come to think of it, Peter’s denial IS betrayal of the Christ and of the great relationship they had had for over 3 years. He didn’t just flat out deny Jesus, he SWORE to God he had never known Him! (Mt 26:72).

Our concern today is about an important phrase Jesus said about the cup hours earlier during the Last Supper (Mt26:27, 28). I’ll repeat it in several translations for you to see the import:

(GNB) “Drink it, ALL OF YOU ...”

(MSG) “Drink this, ALL OF YOU...”

(NET)  “Drink from it, ALL OF YOU...”

(NLT) “EACH OF YOU drink from it”

The cup represented His blood which would be shed for the forgiveness of sins, and the number of those who were to partake of that cup was “ALL”. Including James, and Co. who would all in the next few hours desert Him; including Peter who would eventually deny Him with an oath; ...  and yes, including Judas Iscariot who Satan would use in the subsequent minutes.

“All” means ALL.

But Judas made the fatal mistake that many do today: he felt his sin was unforgivable.

There is a legitimate remorse for sin; but what one does about that is very important. The devil that tempted you in the first place is very much alive and well; and while you feel you are FINISHED the devil thinks he hasn’t (Selah).

After Judas sinned he

1. Repented: “Then Judas... when he saw that he was condemned, repented...” (Mat 27:3)

2. Restituted: “... and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, (ibid)

3. And punished himself: “And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged HIMSELF.  (Mat 27:5)

That last move was where it all went wrong. His counterpart in Jesus-backstabbing, Peter, was also remorseful (Mat 26:75); however, he remembered Jesus’s words about remission of sins (see Act 10:43) and threw himself at God’s mercy rather than inflict upon himself some supposed judgement.

Brethren, we don’t hang ourselves like Judas today, but every time you expect bad things to happen because you failed, or apologize AGAIN to God whenever something good is taken from you (i.e. seeing it as a result of “that sin”), etc. you are taking the Judas approach. That is a dangerous mindset, and the devil will surely exploit it to the fullest.

AMEN.

 “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputes not iniquity”. (Psa 32:1-2)

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices”. (2Co 2:11)

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus Name.

GREG ELKAN