Luke 22:20-23

Luke 22:20-23 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.” They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

1 Timothy 1:15-17 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I (Paul) am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.

Acts 9:1-2 Then Saul (Paul), still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Even though God planned Jesus' demise on the cross, Jesus says, woe to that man who betrays him. Woe to the man who fulfills God's plan. Judas was that man, and his sorrow over betraying Jesus was so great that he killed himself. So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:5) Judas' decision for suicide was not the only course he could have taken. He could have repented and found the grace and the mercy of God as Paul did. Paul depicts himself as chief of sinners, for he attacked the body of Christ to get rid of any remembrance of Jesus Christ on Earth. If he could have killed all of the followers of Jesus, then Jesus Christ's crucifixion would have been complete. He truly would have put Jesus to death the second time by killing all of his followers. As Judas before him, Paul was following Satan's plan of annihilating the door to salvation, to the kingdom of God. But Paul reveals God used him, the epitome of a sinner, to disclose the greatness of God's grace and mercy towards the world. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. God's patience and long suffering extended even to Paul, scourge of the body of Christ.

Jesus loved Judas and Paul while they were yet sinners. Regardless of their rebellion and their animosity towards him, He loved them. Sadly, Judas chose to kill himself after he discovered his betrayal would lead Jesus to death. However, Paul chose life after he discovered he was betraying God by killing Christians. He chose life IN CHRIST. No matter how troubling our lives become, no matter how difficult other people make our lives, we should always put more of Christ, not less of him, in our lives. We should choose him as the answer to our circumstances, no matter how dire. We should go the extra mile with ourselves and with our enemies. Jesus always goes the extra mile with us. He has unlimited patience with us; consequently, He tells us to love our enemies, to be perfect as He is perfect. Can we treat the Judas and the Paul in our lives with tenderness and forgiveness? Can perfection be won? Yes, but only through Jesus Christ and his grace. He is the only one who can really go the extra mile with enemies. Judas became his enemy when he stole from Jesus, but Jesus never cast him out from his presence. He went the extra mile with Judas. Even at the end when he realized his dastardly deed would lead to Jesus' death, Judas could have received the mercy and grace of the ever loving God, but he chose death over life eternal.

When God stopped Paul on the road to Damascus, Jesus asked Paul why he was fighting him. Faced with the resurrected Lord, Paul repented of his evil ways and accepted Christ as a reality in his existence. As an apostle chosen by the Holy Spirit, Paul lived a different life, one that would bring glory to God. This morning if your heart is heavy, and if you have tried to find answers to your life outside of a total commitment to Christ, submit to him in faith. Repent of your ways and return to Christ with an earnestness in your heart to know and to serve him. He is patient and kind. He will answer your call and give you a life of abundance: a life of grace and mercy. No other life is worth living; no other life will be profitable. Judas could have lived in a disconsolate state for many years, but it would not have been a worthwhile life without Christ. We can live lives of disillusionment and bitterness, lives of rebellion, but they will not be peaceful or profitable unless they are totally committed to Christ. But as Paul discovered, THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST we can live victorious lives. We can live lives God will honor and bless abundantly.