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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is the traitor unmasked. A traitor is a person who betrays another. To unmask a person means to show or expose the bad intention or hidden truth about someone. The Scripture for our reflection, Matthew 26:27-35 points to the fact that Jesus unmasked Judas the traitor among His disciples during the Passover meal. Judas, the traitor was unmasked because Jesus wanted to allow him or give him another opportunity to consider the grievous consequences of betraying the Son of man and then repent. Jesus said to them “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.” (Matthew 26:23-25).

Beloved in the Lord, Jesus assured us that “…the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10). Therefore when Judas’ evil intention was unmasked or exposed, he ought to have immediately repented but we are told by John that he “was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. (John 12:6) Judas was obsessed with money, therefore he remained an unrepentant disciple of Christ. Judas is like many of us who find ourselves in the Church of Christ but consistently take delight in doing evil although the Word of God continues to convict us and invites us to live a life of repentance and faithfulness to God. The teachings of Christ or the Word of God is meant to unmask our evil thoughts and our hidden but sinful nature. Again, the Word of God invites us to become children of light and not darkness. It is for this reason, the writer of Hebrews reminds us that “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12-13). Dear friend, Jesus is the embodiment of God’s Word because God said “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” (Luke 9:35) Again, John reminds us that Jesus is the Word that gives life and light to those who repent and have faith in Him, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. (John 1:1-4). When the Samaritan woman met Jesus, who is the embodiment of the Word of God, her true nature was unmasked. She confessed “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him.” (John 4:29-30). Dear friend, Jesus is omniscient, He knows everything including our thoughts, intentions and feelings, therefore, His Word is to enable us live the transformed life. Zacchaeus, including the Pharisees have had Jesus unmasked their true identity, some seized the opportunity to repent and have Jesus come into their lives but others remained unrepentant. Paul, after he had an encounter with Jesus became totally transformed, therefore, he admonishes us, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2). The Passion or Holy week presents us another opportunity to get closer to Jesus even as our sinful nature is being unmasked by His teachings or Word. It is a period of self-retrospection and also to make a conscious effort or take a decision to repent and to live the transformed and victorious life through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Our relationship with Jesus through His teachings must lead us to the conviction captured in the first stanza of the hymn ” Amazing Grace”,

Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.

Shalom.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank you for unmasking our sinful nature and inviting us to live the transformed life to the glory of God. May we be strengthened through Your Word to rescue the lost and perishing, and may the Holy Spirit help those who are yearning to repent to come to your saving knowledge and be saved. Amen.