MORNING MEDITATION

“Scriptures Must Be Fulfilled!”

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Text Mk.14:43 – 52.
“Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. ‘Am I leading a rebellion,’ said Jesus, ‘that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.’ Then everyone deserted him and fled. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.”

Theme: “Scriptures Must Be Fulfilled!”
A man prepared a party for himself and his neighbours. He sent his son to go and bring in all the neighbours. A short time later, the son came back with some strangers. The father acknowledged the strangers but asked the son, “Where are our neighbours?” The son replied, “Dad, these are our true neighbours. I went around the neighbourhood shouting for help. I said our house was on fire. These people here responded to my cry for help. They have come to help us save our house from fire.”
This story sounds like the story of the good Samaritan. Friends and neighbours are those who are ready to stand by us under all weather. Those who stand with us only when things are running smoothly for us are fair weather friends and neighbours.
Motive is the reason for every action. It is even suggested that motive and action = motivation. We feel comfortable condemning Judas of greed, selfishness, and maybe envy and disillusionment. What if Judas was convinced that Jesus, the miracle worker, would save himself from those who came to arrest him?
And it was possible for Jesus to have saved himself! He didn’t do it because his mission could not have been accomplished without that moment.
As Jesus himself said, “But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” For Scriptures to be fulfilled, “everyone deserted him and fled;” including a young man who had been following him. He fled naked!
Jesus stood alone! Friends of three years fled away at the time he needed them most! Fair weather friends! He was betrayed by one of them. Judas, his disciple, friend, and mentee, signalled him to the enemy by a title and a kiss.
The Lord and Saviour of the world stood alone without a single individual to stand by him, with him or for him.
I was tempted to caption this message: “Judas and the kiss of salvation.” It sounds heretical, right? Yet for the love that God and his Son have for us, it was indeed a kiss that led to salvation.
Maybe a forgiving God who forgives us through belief in the death and resurrection of his Son is not too hard hearted not to forgive Judas for fulfilling his own role in the salvation plan.
My friend, let us stand by Jesus in our call to worship, service in his vineyard with a readiness to sacrifice for others in the same way that Christ sacrificed for us. Let us not be fair weather friends!
Prayer: Holy Spirit, equip us daily with the spirit of sacrificial service. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
23/07/2025.

[Supporting Song šŸ‘‡šŸæ]
“I’ll Be A Friend To Jesus.”
They tried my Lord and Master,
With no one to defend;
Within the halls of Pilate
He stood without a friend.
Refrain:
I’ll be a friend to Jesus,
My life for Him I’ll spend;
I’ll be a friend to Jesus,
Until my years shall end.
2 The world may turn against Him,
I’ll love Him to the end,
And while on earth I’m living,
My Lord shall have a friend. [Refrain]
3 I’ll do what He may bid me;
I’ll go where He may send;
I’ll try each flying moment
To prove that I’m His friend. [Refrain]
4 To all who need a Savior,
My Friend I’ll recommend;
Because He brought salvation,
Is why I am His friend. [Refrain]

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