Chi Alpha

Friends of mine are expecting their first baby any day now. When I asked, they had indeed chosen a male and female name for the child, even though they did not know if they were going to have a boy or a girl. Yet the name of Judas was not on their list. I imagine Judas’ name would not be on any list of possible children’s names.

Parents probably do not want to name their child after a man whose name is synonymous with betrayal. But if we are honest, none of us can avoid that same stigma, because all of us have betrayed Jesus at some point, in some way.

Luke the doctor records in his gospel (read Luke 22:47-62) that Judas was not the only guilty person mentioned. The other guilty person is remembered not so much as a deserter, but as a committed follower. His name is Peter. He is known as a disciple who walked on water, was a bit rambunctious, and as one whom Jesus reinstated after he turned his back on the Lord three times (John 21:17)

What made the difference between Judas and Peter? Why did one man’s life lead to hopeless suicide, while the other lead to helpful service?

Some people assume it happened because Judas never repented. Matthew 27:4 records that Judas admitted his guilt when he said to those who paid him to hand Jesus over to them, “I have betrayed innocent blood.” But why did Judas then take his own life?

Just like Peter, Judas was sorrowful for his actions. But sorrow does not lead to repentance according to 2 Corinthians 7:10. Many believe Judas knew he was guilty, but did not believe he could be forgiven. Therefore, Judas figured that taking his own life was the only way to get rid of his guilt. He then became his own judge, jury, and executioner.

What self-destructive habit do you battle with? Drinking? Spending? Lying? Inappropriate sexual expression? Self-mutilation? Eating (or not eating)? Failing to keep your word? Are you constantly punishing yourself for your sin(s)?

Worldly sorrow led Judas to admit his own sin and then try and erase its effects by destroying himself. Godly sorrow led Peter to admit his own sin and then allow Jesus to remove it.

Grow devotionally. Read 1 Peter 1:18-19, and 1 John 1:7. The real sin that ended the life of Judas was not betraying Jesus, but his failure to ask Jesus to forgive him.

Mike

P.S. For another example of the power and love of God at Easter, read Luke 22:50-51

People who looked at this item also looked at…

• St. Patrick ~ Tragedy led to His Mission for God

Related items

• Welcome to Plymouth State
• The Great Wall of China
• What are you passionate about?
• Obedience or Disobedience
• The Team Needs You

He was Briton by birth, raised in a well-to-do family, and his first language was Latin. He was kidnapped at age 16 by Celtic pirates and sold into a slavery in Ireland. His captors thew him out into the fields to tend to the livestock. During many lonely days and nights, he thought back to his Christian heritage and practiced the presence of God by worshiping Him as he saw the works of God in nature. He prayed a lot, recommitted himself to God out in the fields, and even his captors saw a noticeable change in him.

While in captivity, this young man came to know and love the Irish people and their culture. He also saw their desperate spiritual need for reconciliation with God through Christ.

Six years later, after a dream, he escaped from slavery. The next 25 years of his life were lived in obscurity, but somehow he received theological training and spiritual formation to serve as a priest. God then called him to take the gospel of Jesus to the barbarian Celtic people of Ireland. He set out for Ireland in 432 A.D. with a small team of priests and helpers.

His goal was gargantuan: to accomplish what the dominant Roman church thought was impossible – to bring the message of Jesus to the barbarians. At that time in history, no one was reaching out to that tough people group. Most of the Roman church thought the barbarians had to be civilized before they could possibly become followers of Christ.

Yet, the Celts were reached for Christ! Before he died 28 years later, this man and his team planted 700 churches, ordained 1,000 priests, and almost 40 of Ireland’s 150 tribes became Christian. The slave trade was also abolished before he died, due to his efforts. After his death, his followers reached most of the Celts and Scots, and within 100 years re-evangelized all of Europe.

Today is a holiday named for that priest – some of you recognize him as Patrick, or Saint Patrick.

What characterized his strategy? First, he and his pals worked as a team. They engaged people in conversation, prayed for the sick, fed the hungry, listened to people’s questions, and answered them from Scripture. Second, they invited the Celts to join small groups to experience the presence and power of God. People were allowed to belong before they had to believe. Third, Patrick and his team practiced hospitality.

What can we learn from Patrick and his mission to the Celts? The Christian faith has to be transferred and interpreted into other cultures. Evangelism is about helping other people to belong so they can come to believe.

Serve globally. How will your faith in Christ extend to others this week on campus? How can you make a difference in God’s global plan?

Mike

P.S. To learn more about St. Patrick, I recommend The Celtic Way of Evangelism, by George Hunter.

People who looked at this item also looked at…

• hopeless suicide or helpful service

Related items

• Welcome to Plymouth State
• The Great Wall of China
• What are you passionate about?
• Obedience or Disobedience
• The Team Needs You

Leo Tolstoy was born in 1828 in central Russia to parents of Russian nobility. Both of his parents died when he was young, and he was raised by his aunt. He attended Kazan University in 1844, and his teachers said he was mostly unable and unwilling to learn. Despite his heritage and affluence, he led a life of pleasure seeking (wine, women, and cards), until a deeply religious experience in his mid-life years. He discovered the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) that radically affected him.

He started to try and live up to Jesus’ message of love, forgiveness, and simple living. He gave away most of his inheritance, started a lot of charities, and preached the gospel of Jesus to any who would listen. He also wrote broadly about Russian life, and his more famous novel is entitled, War and Peace.

He also wrote a lot about applying Jesus’ teachings to everyday life. One such work was called, How Much Land Does A Man Need? The story describes a peasant named Pahom, who dreamed of owning his own property. He declared that if he owned property, he would not fear the devil. The devil overheard the boast and made it possible for Pahom to gain more land. Yet despite the acquisition of more property, Pahom was never satisfied with what he had. One day a local town leader in central Russia said that if Pahom started off walking in the morning, he could have all the land he could cover by sundown.

Pahom started off at dawn, motivated by sheer greed, and attempted to walk off the largest possible circle of land as he could. He covered a large circle of territory and made it back to the starting point as the sun went down. As he crossed the line, he collapsed and died. Tolstoy concluded the narrative with the words, “Six feet from his head to his toes was all the land he really needed.”

Our culture declares the viewpoint that “He or she who has the most toys wins.” Commercials are designed to imply we are desperately missing what their product has to offer. Scripture indicates that if we are consumed (i.e., obsessed) with acquiring anything – popularity, possessions, power, prestige – we are choosing to step into the devil’s trap. Satan will use greed to cripple, and ultimately destroy us. Walk wisely. Jesus says it is better to give, not get. Read Matthew 5:3-10.

I have officiated at funerals and have yet to see a funeral hearse pulling a UHaul of a person’s possession, because you cannot take your stuff with you when you die. Life is short. Why waste it on mere material pursuits. Jesus asked, “What would it profit a person to gain the whole world, but forfeit their soul?” Imagine your funeral and what people would say about you as they thought about your life and contribution. Based on what you hope people would say, start living that way now. Make your life count for eternity by living for things that really count.

Love is a verb,

Mike

Related items

• Welcome to Plymouth State
• The Great Wall of China
• What are you passionate about?
• Obedience or Disobedience
• The Team Needs You

I recently watched an old episode of The Andy Griffith Show called, “Dogs, Dogs, Dogs” in which Andy Taylor’s young son Opie was kind to a little dog. He fed and loved on him, but one day the dog took off. Soon enough though, the dog showed up with a few of his pals…dogs of various sizes. Opie was excited and proceeded to feed and play with the 10 or so dogs. Opie’s dad (who is the sheriff of the town) and his deputy knew that Opie could not keep the dogs, and tried to find their real owner. After several failed attempts, they brought all the dogs back to the sheriff’s office to avoid a thunderstorm. Later in the show, Opie and his dad find the dog’s owner and return the canines.

When I think about Opie, I am reminded that kindness often results in a positive response. Someone is helped or cared for. A gift is given. An encouraging word is spoken. A gesture is acknowledged and received. A response of thanks may or may not result, but that does not diminish the act of kindness in the first place.

I do not know how you feel about being kind, but Scripture indicates the apostle Paul was inspired by God to write, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Read 4:32 in the broader context of Ephesians 4:22-32, to see how Paul described the radical life of followers of Jesus. When you treat people in a loving way, even if or when they do not deserve it, you are living the kind of life Jesus called you to. In addition, you are showing evidence of the Holy Spirit in you. Galatians 5:22-23 says the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.”

It’s understandable that Opie enjoyed the company of the dogs, and responded with such kindness. Children often do that around animals. But there is no reason for you to let kindness go just to the dogs. Read Psalm 103:8-12 right now. Why is it important to think about and meditate in God’s kindness? In what ways do you try to show kindness to others?

Live communally. Put your kindness into action this week to someone. Kindness communicates Christ.

Love is a verb,

Mike

“I hope to be God’s pencil. A tiny bit of pencil with which He writes what he likes.”

Related items

• Welcome to Plymouth State
• The Great Wall of China
• What are you passionate about?
• Obedience or Disobedience
• The Team Needs You