HELP WK 4 F.R.O.G

WK 1 we talked about how things can get pretty dark at times but there is HELP and HOPE in Jesus!

WK 2 we talked about how to be right with God is the best place to be and we can run to him with our questions.

WK 3 we learned out Jesus chose us before we ever chose Him. He chose us when we accused Him. He chose us when we were guilty. He chose us when we didn’t chose Him.

Tonight we take a look at what happened to Jesus after He was handed over to be crucified.

So READ with ME

Matthew 27:26–31 (ESV)

Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 27

Roman flogging was a horrifically cruel punishment. Those condemned to it were tied to a post and beaten with a leather whip that was interwoven with pieces of bone and metal, which tore through skin and tissue, often exposing bones and intestines. In many cases, the flogging itself was fatal. The Romans scourged Jesus nearly to death so that he would not remain alive on the cross after sundown.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

As we lead up to Easter on Sunday, you may think what is the big deal with Easter. Well Easter is when we celebrate, remember Jesus death, burial, and His resurrection. No this shouldn’t be the only day we remember but this week we reflect back on what Jesus did and accomplished for all those who receive His gift of grace by believing in Him.

Paul says 1 Corinthians 15:14

1 Corinthians 15:14 ESV

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

So this whole week, last Sunday was Palm Sunday it was when Jesus entered in to the city for the final time before he would be crucified, the Wednesday leading up to his crucifixion that happened on Friday, so tonight represented when Judas one of his disciples betrayed him, sold him out.

I want to just take a moment and look at Judas. Because Judas needed help, I think he began to understand that, but what he did didn’t help, but HE could have gotten HELP! I started this series by saying and talking about sometimes our life feels like its so dark and we are hurting so much that it gets to the point where we just don’t want to be here anymore. I told you if that is you there is help, there is hope. So as I read this I want you to know this doesn’t have to be, and I don’t want this to be your story I want you to find help.

Matthew 27:3–5 ESV

Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.

Call on Jesus for help!

JESUS is listening for you because he wants to help/save you.

Judas was one of Jesus’ disciples, followed him for three years, but you know what kept Judas from actually following him with his heart? There may have been more than one thing but I think one thing we can gather from scripture is that He struggled with a love of money.

John 12:6 ESV

He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.

He stole.

He betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

He was one of the closest people to Jesus, yet he was so far away.

Never do we see where he admits or confesses His struggle, or honest about the things he is doing when no one is watching, until he comes to the chief priests and elders for almost a last resort to help.

Unfortunately, the religious leaders are also in need of help and basically tell him go figure it out yourself. Then one thing leads to another and Judas ends his life.

I know its hard to express the things that you may be dealing or struggling with with emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually.

AND

I know its hard to express these things because you have probably been hurt by people before who you thought were there to help.

AND

I know its hard because you have maybe tried different things to help, but nothing seems to fix what is actually going on.

SO PLEASE HEAR ME.

JESUS. ONLY JESUS. Can do in you what your heart/life needs and what your soul is searching for and it starts by saying JESUS HELP. JESUS SAVE ME!

The Help Project said, There are many things that are great for your mental health, serving others, working out, hanging out with friends, going to therapy, getting on medicine (even if for a season)- but none of these things alone can do what having Jesus living in you can do.”

The power of Jesus, the same power that helped him rise from the grave is given to those who say Jesus Save me.

I guarantee Judas’ story would have ended differently if instead of choosing to take his life, he would have given it over to Jesus.

Man I can just picture, Judas running to Jesus, as Jesus is carrying the cross and if he would have said Jesus, I am sorry, I’ve run to money to help, I’ve run to the religious leaders to help, I’ve run and run, but now God I realize you are the only one who can truly help me so I have run to you. Then I imagine this broken and beaten God-man Jesus struggling to even breathe say Judas I have waited for this moment for 3 years. I love you and now let me finish for you what you can not do for yourself. I will take care of you. I will see you soon.

The same is true for you, Your life can be different when you give it over to Jesus.

The hurt, baggage, struggles, successes, and failures, give your life to Jesus.

This is what I want for you. This is what I want your story to be. For you to realize you need help, and you run to the ONLY ONE who can, who will, and who is able not just to help, but to save, and not just to save, but to walk with you and lead you everyday.

Here is the beautiful thing as Jesus helps you, He will use you, your story, your gifts, your relationships, your job, your passions to help others.

You have maybe heard the quote:

“Hurt people hurt people.

well “Helped people, help people.”

You can glow, shine in the midst of the dark and tell people of the ONE who helped you!