Desires of the Heart

Consider Judas: One of the twelve who walked with Jesus throughout His three year ministry. He witnessed miracles, listened to Jesus’ teaching, and lodged and broke bread with the inner circle of Jesus’ followers. Yet, he did not believe. On the outside, Judas looked like he was a disciple devoted to Jesus, but on the inside, his heart was dark and full of evil. Jesus knew from the very beginning that Judas would betray Him, and yet He never sent Him away. He even washed His feet, an act of humble service and love, after Judas had already made the deal with the priests. When Jesus reveals that He knows of His betrayal, Judas leaves and continues with his plan. Judas sold information that led to the arrest of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and sealed the deal with a kiss on the Lord’s cheek. Oh, but Judas came to regret his decision greatly. He tried to give back the money he had taken, but was rejected and ridiculed. Guilty, alone, and ashamed, he took his own life. (John 6:64-71, Matthew 26:14-16, John 13:18-30, Matthew 26:47-50, Mark 14:43:50, Matthew 27:3-10)

Consider Peter: The first one to have his eyes opened to the truth of Who Jesus is, the Son of God, the Messiah. The one who claimed that he would follow Jesus even unto death. But in reality, when the time came, the one who denied Jesus three times just as Jesus said he would. But Jesus, after His resurrection, brings restoration to Peter. He asks Peter three times if he loves Him, and Peter replies, You know that I do. Peter lives out the rest of his days building God’s Kingdom. After being filled with the Holy Spirit, He does indeed follow Jesus unto death, his very own death by crucifixion. (John 13:36-38, John 18:16-27 , John 21:15-17)

Consider Pilate: A Roman government official charged with the duty of keeping the peace, manipulated by the Jewish priests, and tasked with sentencing Jesus to death. He knows that Jesus is innocent of any crime worthy of death. He tries to evade a decision by sending Jesus to Herod, but ultimately is required to render a sentence. He tries to appease the crowds by offering Jesus’ freedom as a Passover tradition, but the crowd only cries louder, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!” Finally, Pilate gives in to the people but washes his hands and proclaims that he will be innocent of the shedding of Jesus’ blood. But Pilate doesn’t realize that indifference in itself is a decision. (John 18,19)

Consider the Man on the Left: A criminal to be crucified next to Jesus, who eagerly mocks Jesus along with the crowd, telling Him to save Himself as well as us if He really is the Messiah. He is relentless in his mocking until his own death is imminent. (Luke 23:33-43)

Consider the Man on the Right: A criminal to be crucified next to Jesus, who seems to have participated in the original mocking of Jesus but then has a change of heart. God opens his eyes to the truth. This thief scolds the man on the left, admits to his own guilt, and calls the other thief to do the same. He confesses the truth that Jesus has done no wrong, and only the two thieves deserve this death. In a desperate plea, he asks Jesus to remember him when He enters His Kingdom. And the Lord Jesus says, today you will be with me in Paradise. (Luke 23:33-39)

Consider the Centurion Soldier: A Roman soldier tasked with the job of crucifying Jesus. Surely one who would have taken part in the flogging, mocking, and dividing of Jesus garments. But also the one who watched and listened. He would have heard Jesus’ prayer, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” He would have witnessed the blackness in the middle of the day, the earth quaking , rocks splitting, and the opening of graves. The truth of Who this Man really was was revealed to the soldier who said, “Truly this was the Son of God.” (Mark 15:39)

Consider Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus: Jewish priests who were intrigued by Jesus and chose to learn from and follow Him in secret so as not to upset the other priests and to avoid their ridicule. These men saw something in Jesus that they knew was different, true, and righteous, yet they couldn’t muster the faith to step out of their comfort zones and fully surrender. Nicodemus did finally stand up for Jesus publicly when plans for His arrest began to heat up, and Joseph did not agree on the decision made by the council of priests. After Jesus’ death, they took His body and buried it in a tomb secured by Joseph. Finally, making a public display of devotion to Jesus. (John 19:38-40)

Consider Mary Magdalene: One of the many women who followed Jesus, healed of seven demons, and devoted to Jesus all the way to the cross. She with other women went to Jesus’ tomb early in the morning with the proper burial spices, wondering who would roll the stone away for them when they received quite a surprise. The tomb was open. Mary ran to tell the disciples, who quickly went to investigate her claim for themselves. The women assumed that Jesus’ body had been stolen. Mary returned to the tomb weeping for her Lord when she saw two angels who asked her why she wept. And then she turned and saw Jesus; however, taking Him as a gardener, she asked if He knew where the body was. Then Jesus spoke her name, and immediately she recognized Him. (John 20)

Consider Thomas: A disciple of Jesus who missed an earlier appearance of Jesus to His disciples after the resurrection, doubted the story of the others. He claimed that the only way he would believe this fantastic tale would be to see the nail scars and touch the spear wound himself. Wouldn’t you know that Jesus appeared to the disciples in a room with locked doors and revealed himself to Thomas. He prompted Thomas to look and touch. But Thomas no longer needed that evidence. He cried, “My Lord and My God.” (John 20:24-29)

Consider Jesus: Emmanuel, the Son of God, the Messiah, the King of Kings, Prince of Peace, the Good Shepherd, the Way, the Truth, the Light, the Healer, and the Living Water Who poured out His lifeblood for each of us on the cross. What will you decide? Will you follow Him in a way that is socially acceptable but deny Him in your heart? Will you follow, but when temptation or persecution arises, abandon Him? Will you choose indifference, thinking that you don’t really have to make a choice? Will you attempt to know Him privately so as not to make a spectacle of yourself? Will you mock Him and deny your sin and need for a Savior? Will you doubt Him, never fully trusting in His plan? OR… Will you recognize Who He is and your need for a Savior? Will you confess your sin and fully surrender, choosing to follow Him even unto death? The choice is yours: Consider Jesus! I’d love to spend eternity with you in Paradise in the presence of my loving Savior Jesus Christ!