shame or glory for Jesus

Mark 14: 17 In the evening, Jesus went to that house with the twelve. 18 While they were all eating, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will turn against me—one of you eating with me now.” 19 The followers were very sad to hear this. Each one began to say to Jesus, “I am not the one, am I?” 20 Jesus answered, “It is one of the twelve—the one who dips his bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will die, just as the Scriptures say. But how terrible it will be for the person who hands the Son of Man over to be killed. It would be better for him if he had never been born

“I tell you the truth, one of you will turn against me—one of you eating with me now.” 19 The followers were very sad to hear this. Each one began to say to Jesus, “I am not the one, am I?

His disciples there with him, that had been walking with him all those years, they were asking themselves and Jesus, I am not the one am I?
Maybe we need a sort of healthy self doubt.

Do we shrug the though off without any thought at all, that we could turn against Christ?
I know if I am honest with myself, I cannot trust myself. I have made promises to myself and others that I have not been able to keep.

Hebrews 6: 1 So let us go on to grown-up teaching. Let us not go back over the beginning lessons we learned about Christ. We should not again start teaching about faith in God and about turning away from those acts that lead to death. 2 We should not return to the teaching about baptisms, about laying on of hands, about the raising of the dead and eternal judgment. 3 And we will go on to grown-up teaching if God allows. 4 Some people cannot be brought back again to a changed life. They were once in God’s light, and enjoyed heaven’s gift, and shared in the Holy Spirit. 5 They found out how good God’s word is, and they received the powers of his new world. 6 But they fell away from Christ. It is impossible to bring them back to a changed life again, because they are nailing the Son of God to a cross again and are shaming him in front of others. 7 Some people are like land that gets plenty of rain. The land produces a good crop for those who work it, and it receives God’s blessings. 8 Other people are like land that grows thorns and weeds and is worthless. It is about to be cursed by God and will be destroyed by fire. 9 Dear friends, we are saying this to you, but we really expect better things from you that will lead to your salvation. NCV

Personally I believe this has less to do with whether God is willing to take someone back after he has fallen; I think it is more that after walking so long in that direction, we simple choose not to come back.

Turning away from those acts that lead to death. – Our deeds are like a path leading somewhere.
Ted Haggard

30 years he walked this path till he was discovered!

He nailed Christ to the cross again in the eyes of the world.
He shamed him in front of others.

Two weeks later a Pastor of a 2100 member church in the same city resigns for the same thing.
This week - Another Pastor at Ted Haggard’s church resigned last week. “He informed them that the director of the young adult leadership program resigned after admitting that he "displayed poor judgment" in several decisions throughout his tenure and in an instance of sexual misconduct several years ago. While being interviewed, he confessed that he had consensual sexual contact with an unmarried adult several years ago.
The list goes on, since 2002 there have been hundreds of cases of priests being accused of sexual sin. There was recently in California 60 millions dollars paid our for 45 cases against priests. Catholic dioceses are filling bankruptcy across America because they can’t pay for the damages against them.

But Jerry I don’t do that.

Maybe not. But are we on a path that will lead us somewhere in 30 years where we don’t want to be? A path that will crucify Christ again, that will bring him shame?

I am not throwing rocks. I am not condemning.

The bible says “Be careful that when you think you stand that you do not fall”. It also says “Pride goes before a fall”
I am encouraging you to draw close to God this year, to live a life that will bring him honor in your private as well as your public life.

To deal with those secret paths that will one day lead somewhere you don’t want to be.
To give my body to be his body in 2007.

22 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread and thanked God for it and broke it. Then he gave it to his followers and said, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then Jesus took a cup and thanked God for it and gave it to the followers, and they all drank from the cup. 24 Then Jesus said, “This is my blood which is the new agreement that God makes with his people. This blood is poured out for many. 25 I tell you the truth; I will not drink of this fruit of the vine again until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. NCV

Repent of those things seen or unseen, known by others or unknown, confess them to the Lord now and receive his cleansing. Be washed by his precious blood.

Let’s live as his body, let’s live for him, let’s once again be his hands and feet to the world. Let’s once again be the vessels of his love to a hurting world.