NEAR BUT FAR (2).

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*NEAR BUT FAR (2).*

*Scripture Treasure.*

John 13:27 *And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Judas appeared more equal with the other disciples in their service to Jesus, but was different from them Christlikeness and in motives and actions

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Bad followership is real and deserve attention in the Church.

In moments of identifying bad followership

we sometimes hide behind the easiest narrative to avoid confronting the uncomfortable truth for fear of losing members.

We often chide away from accepting corrective teachings. We refuse to be teachable.

Jesus was not afraid of losing Judas but He wished he had not been born to waste away.

He was not afraid of correcting him but Judas was drifting away the more all efforts to draw him closer was made.

Judas fulfilled a 'call to destruction' rather than the 'call to salvation'.

He must fulfill the writing that someone would betray Jesus.

In Matt 26:24, He said about Judas *The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.*

In John 17:12, He called him the son of perdition. *While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.*

Judas walked with Jesus for three and a half years. The more he walked with him the farther his heart was from Jesus.

The more he walked with Jesus, the more hardened he was.

The parables of the workers in the vineyard (Matt 20:1-16), parable of the unprofitable servant (Lk 17:7-10), the Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, Matt 13:44-46 were some examples of parables Judas could have learnt from.

A trusted financial bookkeeper, treasurer of Jesus and the disciples, John 12:6, but his love for money and his complaint about Mary's anointing of Jesus (John 12:4-6) was suspicious of his dishonesty and his thievery

In Matt 26:14-16 he went unto the chief priests, asking, *What will you give me if I hand him over to you?" and they paid him that amount, after which Judas looked for an opportunity to deliver Jesus.*

Why would someone who walked with Jesus end up in hell, like Judas did?

Acts 1:18-19 gives a description of the death of Judas

*Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.*

*And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.*

Today is the end of 2025. He can still give you your heart desires today, but are you walking uprightly with God?

How have you walked with God in 2025?

Near yet far, or near and nearer to Him?

day by day?

You can choose to turn a new leaf by walking nearer and nearer to Him day by day in 2026!

*Remorse corner.*

Judas was in the right place but with a wrong motive.

*Call to Word action.*

Judas appeared more equal with the other disciples but was different at death. While the other disciples died as matrys, he died as an enemy of God.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Judas' was near Jesus yet was far from Him.

*Prayer.*

Lord help me. Let me move and walk nearer and nearer to You day by day in 2026, in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.