Michael Harrison's e-devotion

It is Wednesday of Holy Week, and today we are going to look at Judas.   I have lots of questions on this one.  Why would God allow such a man to be part of His team for so long?  Why not choose another way without all the pain and grief to the cross and Jesus’ death?   Judas is a figure of many people we have dealt with through life.  They want to deceive or have wrong motives to gain for themselves.  God teaches us how to deal with such and to make sure our motives are not selfish. Check your motives. Luke 14:11 NLT For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Judas played an important role in the Holy Week festivities.  What we do know is that he was conflicted.  He wanted to back out of the deal he made to sell out Jesus.  His life ended in sadness and in his taking his own life I am grateful for Jesus, the cross...

Admit it.   That’s the best place to start.   Inside each of us, in our minds and sometimes our hearts, there is a battle going on between good and evil, between right and wrong motives.   To be honest about that battle is to have a “leg up” on finding victory. Some people have a much easier time with motives than others.   Some people act out of selfishness more than others do.   Inside every human being there is a desire to be successful, but we have to get to the heart of it.   Why do we want what we want?   Why do we act and respond the way we do? Even the best of the people, by our standards the best, battle emotions and wrong motives.   That is why we have to trust God to convict us of wrong and give us wisdom to do what is right. In Matthew 20 Jesus dealt with two of his disciples that were having a hard time understanding what was most important in life.   Jesus set them straight after their question to Him.   As...