Relationship or Religion? Luke 9:1-2

 “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.”

Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus sent out the twelve disciples with His power and authority to heal, perform miracles, to preach his coming kingdom, and to cast out  demons. Of all who ever lived they not only experienced Jesus Christ first hand and saw God in  the flesh  but received his direct power and blessing to exercise supernatural authority in His name. Only a select few an earth would ever get such a privilege to personally experience God in the way the 12 did.

It's hard not to envy those men who literally walked with Jesus and witnessed things we never will. Yet consider that Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve who not only witnessed the power of God through Jesus of Nazareth, was filled with His supernatural power to perform miracles, and yet despite years of ministry experience still missed out on the one thing    most of us take for granted: simply knowing Jesus.

Though he spent years of his life just inches from the Son of God he ultimately failed to truly Him. Though invited into friendship with the very Son of God he exchanged it for what he thought was more valuable in the moment. Having tasted of the heavenly gift and the powers of the age to come he hardened his heart and departed from the living God. Having cast of Satan in others, he courted his own demons in secret and missed the entire assignment - to know and follow Jesus. 

Ironically just a few verses later Jesus says to the crowds, "24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 wFor what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”

By many standards Judas had profited quite a bit: a position of prominence among Jesus disciples, a vital ministry position as cfo, known as one of Jesus’ closest friends, delegated authority and power from God, spiritual gifts unmatched by most. Judas was content with all he gained from following Jesus but never with Jesus Himself. 

Like Judas we are  all tempted to trade a genuine relationship with Christ for other things. Sometimes we even substitute work for Jesus over a relationship with Him as Judas did while the works applauds.  But Jesus’ original question is just as relevant for us today as it was then, “what will [YOU] give in exchange for your soul (knowing Jesus)”. 

The answer to that question matters eternally and is something only you and God will ever know the answer to this side of heaven. Like Judas one day everyone will know whether we were content to just act like a disciple of Jesus or to genuinely know Him. 

Matthew 7:21-22 describes the tragic fate of Judas and all who ultimate choose to become acquainted with Christianity but not Christ. “On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”

In the end Judas exchanged a relationship with Jesus for religious activity and experiences but didn’t realize it until it was too late. 


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