Sunday Mornings

42. Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43. for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Daily, we get convicted of sins and/or habits that we ought to let go of. But we allow the smothering effect of peer pressure or 'what others will think' to suffocate these convictions. What others think doesn't matter at all; God's approval is paramount and essential in our lives. Action Point : We should always be mindful of God approval and seek to Glorify Him in our daily living.

The LORD turned round and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered that the LORD had said to him, “Before the cock crows tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me.” Peter went out and wept bitterly. Luke 22:61-62 ( GNB ) . Peter’s denial is one of the most striking incidents in the buildup of Jesus’ journey to the cross. When Jesus was arrested, scriptures recorded of His disciples that they all forsook him and fled (Mark 14:50). But there was this disciple that followed the train till the courtyard of the High Priest. He was so zealous for the LORD even at the hour of His condemnation [at least he was a “glance distance” away from his Master]. Zeal was not enough, especially when its foundation was boasting in the arms of flesh, because there at the courtyard, he was confronted, and he denied his Master three times. This may look like a light issue, but when you study the time interval between each of these denials, you will ...

HYMN One is our Master, the blessed Redeemer, Strong is the bond that unites us in Him: Oh, may the love His own Spirit hath kindled Burn with a light that will never grow dim. Brethren in Jesus, let us be faithful, Faithful to Him who is guiding our ways; True in allegiance and loving obedience, Till in His glory hosannas we raise. One is our Master; with gladness we’ll serve Him, “Doing the will” of the Lord “from the heart,” Knowing His strength is made perfect in weakness— All that is needful His grace will impart. One is our Master, the highest and noblest, Yet in His tenderness always “the same”; Be it our honour to follow His banner, Blessing for ever be unto His name. One is our Master; and happy those servants, Watching and ready whene’er He may come; Changed in His image, from “glory to glory,” Joyful reward in His kingdom and home.

But Jesus said, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you betray the Son of Man?” Luke 22:48 ( GNB ) This was the first time Judas was coming in contact with Jesus after betraying him. The way this meeting was going to end was more tragic than the whole betrayal. As he was leaning over to Jesus, I could quietly perceive the LORD expecting a whisper in his ear from Judas saying “master, forgive me! I have sinned.” But alas, it was a kiss that Judas gave his master. You can perceive how disappointed Jesus was, from the tone of our key verse. Jesus was so surprised, he asked the stern question to Judas “is it with a kiss that you betray the Son of Man?” I can hear the Spirit of God quietly asking us the same question today. After betraying God for worldly fame, and glory, were you apologetic, remorseful or repentant? Or you just went right back to the congregation of the brethren to lift “holy hands”? This is hypocrisy! Scriptures make us underst...