"One Of You!"

“One of you!” What those words are connected to may lead to eager anticipation, unbelievable shock, or many other feelings in between. To stand in a crowd and hear someone announce, “One of you has won the drawing for a million dollars!” can lead to excited pondering of the possibilities of what one will do if the name drawn is theirs. To hear the words “One of you will be eliminated in this round of the contest!” can lead to a sinking feeling as one considers the possibility of it being them.

Imagine the scene as Jesus gathered with the Twelve to begin the celebration of the Passover. Jesus had spoken of things soon to happen that the disciples still did not grasp. (i.e. Matthew 26:2 & 12) They were living in eager anticipation of Jesus -- the One they recognized as the Christ, the Messiah -- establishing His kingdom. Considering the possibility of His crucifixion and death did not fit the picture in their minds. Though they had been witnessing the growing opposition to Jesus, the Twelve remained close. Eleven of them would even declare their willingness to stand with Him to the death. ( Matthew 26:35) However, as Jesus and the Twelve sat together He made a statement that could have sucked the oxygen out of the room.

We read…
“(20) When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. (21) And as they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I say to you, ONE OF YOU WILL BETRAY ME.’” ( Matthew 26:20-21)

Imagine the disciples’ shock to think that ONE OF THEIR OWN might do such a thing. Can you hear the gasps? Can you picture eyes opened wide and darting around the room? They knew the threats from the outside, but a betrayer from WITHIN THEIR OWN RANKS? What a horrific possibility! We must always bear in mind that Jesus holds no one by force. We always have free-will. It is entirely possible for one to walk with Christ and then fall away. (i.e. Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 6:4-6)

How sad that the worst actions can often come from WITHIN THE RANKS. Too frequently people hurt most those closest to them. It is not so much the enemy from without, but the enemy from within that catches us off guard. David knew the experience. ( Psalm 41:9) Paul warned the Ephesian elders so that they would be prepared when it happened. ( Acts 20:28-30) Sadly such remains a possibility in the history of mankind.

I have often been asked what my greatest disappointment has been in ministry. My response is usually, “People.” However, I say that knowing that I myself have disappointed people at times. Such is relative to our being imperfect beings. Nevertheless, “people” is what ministry must continue to be all about. It is “people” who have created the world’s chaos and it is “people” who need to come to know that the solution is found in focusing on Christ.

There are two things we must guard against. First, let us be watchful that our own actions and words do not fall into the arena of betraying our Lord. Secondly, let us not allow the actions or even the falling away of others cause us to either lose our faith or the desire to continue reaching out to others in the name of Christ with the salvation in Him all need to come to know. May we be one of those who desires above all to be faithful to God and His Will, recognizing the great value He sees in the souls of mankind.

Have a great day REMAINING ONE OF HIS!
Carl

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