Jesus…. Teacher or Lord?

“Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.  From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.”  Matthew 26:14-16

Judas Iscariot was one of twelve disciples which spent approximately three years with Jesus.  Judas was also the very disciple that betrayed Him.  

Have you ever asked anyone, “Why was Judas the one that betrayed Jesus, and not one of the other twelve disciples?”  

Or have you ever thought to yourself, “…that there must have been signs that Judas would betray Jesus.”  

In Luke 22:3 we learn, “Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve”.  

How terrifying is this Truth!  Very scary I think!!   But, was this the obvious sign to others doing life right beside Judas…. that he would eventually betray Jesus?  Or worse yet, the betrayal already in Judas’ heart?  

Do you know what the word “Rabbi” means?  It means “Teacher”.  

Let that thought sink into you mind for just a moment…..….

Now…..

Judas spent day after day with Jesus doing all the routine things of life right by His side.   Things such as eating, sleeping, working, and fellowship.  But Judas also witnessed Jesus perform miracles.  To name just a few, Jesus turned water to wine, stilled the storm, healed men, cast out demons, gave sight to the blind, and raised the dead!!

Pretty amazing right?  Wouldn’t you think by this point, Judas would know beyond a shadow of doubt that Jesus is the Son of God?  

Now, pay attention to what the next Scripture reveals.  Judas does not call Jesus Lord, he calls him something different.  See if you notice it….

Matthew 26:20-25 states, “When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.  And while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’  They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?’  Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.  The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’   Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?’  Jesus answered, ‘You have said so.’”

Did you see it?  

All the other disciples called Jesus Lord, but Judas….. calls Him “Rabbi”. 

Remember what Rabbi means?….. Teacher.  

After all this time Judas spent with Jesus, Judas still only saw Jesus as Teacher!

Pretty astonishing right?  

One may say “YES,” but then  I wonder…. if we are, any different?  

Maybe, or maybe not.  Are you like Judas?   

Ponder these questions…..

Do you go to church?  Or, are you a part of the church?

Do you teach part of God’s Word to others?  Or, do you teach all of God’s Word to others?

Do you believe that God’s Word is the absolute law for men to live by?  Or, do you actually live by God’s absolute law yourself?

Do you look to Jesus to teach you how to live your life?  Or, is He Lord of your life?

Makes you think doesn’t it?  It makes me think.  It makes me wonder if there are areas in my life where Jesus is not Lord.

It makes me ask myself……

“Is Jesus Lord over my life…. Everyday?  Monday through Sunday?

When I wake up or go to sleep?  When I am busy or still?

How about when I am laughing with friends?  Or, when I run into my enemies and start to feel angry?”

Then even more questions come to mind.….

How about when I am alone and no one else can see what I am doing, except God Himself?

Do I always remember that God is with me?  

And just what do I do with my time everyday?  Do I spend my time doing things that matter in this world?  Or do I spend my time on things that have eternal value?

Did you ask yourself those questions also……

If so, keep your answers in mind for just a few more moments, while we look back on the story of Judas.…..

Matthew 26:47-50 states, “While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived.  With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.  Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’  Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him.  Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”

Did you see it again?  Judas still refers to Jesus as “Rabbi.”

Now ponder this, with your answers in mind from a moment ago.…..

Are there areas in your life where Jesus is not Lord?  If you say yes, I pray for you today.  

If Jesus has revealed an area in your life where He is not Lord, could it be possible that you are no different than Judas himself?

I ask you this because I think Judas did believe Jesus was the Son of God…. Jesus was just not Lord of his life.

Now see for yourself, what Judas’ life came to be…..

Matthew 27:3 states, “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders.”

In fact, it seems the realities of what Judas did haunted him so badly that Scriptures states in Acts 1:18-19, “(With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out.  Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)”

Now think……..

If you could walk up to Jesus right now to kiss Him…. would it be a kiss that revealed betrayal like Judas, or would it be a kiss to your Lord?  

Remember what you have pondered here as you go throughout the rest of your day and weeks to come.  Take notice if you treat Jesus like Teacher or your Lord.  

And will you do anything to change it…. if He is only Teacher to you?  I pray you do!