Scripture Text: John 13:21-30
Pastor Dann’s message is simple: when we fail to walk with the Lord and instead choose to dishonor Him and reject His ways for our lives, we will betray ourselves.
This passage follows the well known story of Jesus washing the feet of His followers as they gather for the Passover meal that became the Last Supper. The purpose of that deed was to teach the disciples that the Lord’s followers ought to always be ready to humble themselves, give up their own comfort and desires, to honor and encourage each other.
After the Last Supper Judas, it seems, is getting away with his own selfish, manipulative, refusal to bow to the love and ways of Christ.He is about to successfully walk away and dismiss the purposes of God. Of course, it doesn’t turn out that way. It is impossible to betray God successfully. Any plot to dishonor Christ or His church is dishonorable to the perpetrator.
Believers who temporarily deny the Lord by their behavior end up wounded and ashamed and can only begin to heal when they humble themselves, confess their mistake, and move again under the umbrella of His forgiveness. Unbelievers who deny Christ, end up in eternal misery without hope. God forbid that any of us should ever deny the Lord and betray Him by the choices of our lives!