A group of dogs of all shapes and sizes running through the
streets does not appear very odd. But a procession of dogs, cats,
rabbits, hens, mice and other creatures would certainly be very
strange!
Here is the true story of a very strange procession of different
people - people who would not normally get on well
together!
The leader of this march was Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus'
disciples. Judas planned to make a public display of his love for
Jesus! 1*. Following
him were religious leaders, a number of other people, and a
detachment of soldiers. 2*. This procession was for Jesus!
A crowd usually attracts a crowd, but I know that God would not
have wanted you or me to join in that march
for Jesus! You see, in that crowd there was a great variety
of different opinions and ideas about Jesus!
Those Jewish religious leaders, like any other priests of
religion, rejected Jesus' claim as the only Priest and
Mediator that could bring people to God. 3*. · - Otherwise what do you
think their own priests were for?
Those people in the crowd did not want Jesus as their
Saviour 4*. · - they had their religious sacraments and
duties that they believed could save them!
· Those Roman soldiers did not want Jesus as their
Leader - The Roman Emperor was their leader!
And Judas did not want Jesus as his Lord - he
was out to serve and please Satan, and to win the approval of the
leaders of the widely accepted religion. 5*.
Be careful not to be deceived. This is not the kind of company
Jesus' followers should ever want to go along with! Just because
Jesus was the focus of this march did not mean it was right!
Not everyone who speaks well of Jesus will have right motives for
what they do in Jesus' name! 6*.
Jesus was not deceived by this crowd's apparent interest and
attraction to Him. They came to Jesus in the darkness of night
while He was praying in a garden outside the city. "Judas.. was
leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss Him, but Jesus asked him,
"Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"
7*.
"When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen.. one of them
struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
But Jesus answered, ‘No more of this!' And He touched the man's ear
and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers
of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for Him, ‘Am I
leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs?
Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay
a hand on Me. But this is your hour - when darkness reigns.'"
8*.
Be careful not to be attracted by a crowd that is only pretending
to love Jesus! 9*.
Beware of all those who refuse to believe 10*. that Jesus is their
only Priest and Mediator, their only
Saviour and their only Leader and Lord!
3*.
Read about the march for Jesus, that
was really against Jesus, in Luke chapter 22, verses
47-53.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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Bible quotations from N.I.V.
1Matthew 26:49.
2 Luke 22:47. Matthew
26:47.
3 Hebrews 7:23-28. 1st
Timothy 2:5-6. John 14:6.
4 Matthew 27:15-23.
5 Luke 22:3-6.
6 Matthew 7:21-27.
7 Luke 22:47-48.
8 Luke 22:49-53.
9 Galatians 1:6-9.
Colossians 2:16-23.
10John 3:16-19, 36.
Acts 13:38-41.
