“I Never knew You”
Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?" And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"
A lot of us recognize that Easter symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We recognize the art. We know that he endured pain and suffering, and we know that he was risen. We celebrate and honor his sacrifice year after year.
It wasn’t until I dove into scripture however, that I realized such a heartbreaking key detail leading up to Jesus’ death. It’s something that I think a lot of us who didn’t/don’t study probably overlooked or fail to know at all.
Jesus had 12 disciples. 12 followers who believed with all of their hearts that he was the son of God. Who worshiped and cherished the ground he walked on.
I couldn’t imagine what a privilege it would have been to be chosen to walk with him.
But did you know that one betrayed him? Literally sold out his location for money. He let greed consume him so much, that he was willing to give up not only a friend but Jesus. And in doing so, it cost him his life.
Jesus knew the events that would unfold and ultimately what was to come. Yet instead of fleeing, he stayed. Allowed himself to be held captive, and sacrificed himself so we may gain our places in heaven.
But imagine that.
Standing so close to God, yet still allowing the devil to consume you. Literally listening to the gospel flow from the Jesus mouth, yet still allowing temptation to overpower you.
It doesn’t have to be murder. It’s doesn’t have to be robbery. Our sins are not just heinous crimes that you could never imagine yourself committing.
It’s in the betrayal of a friend. The gossip. It’s in greed. Verbal attacks. And in manipulation. It’s in little white lies and in some stretching of the truth.
Lump in your throat? Did I step on your toes? It’s an incredibly hard pill to swallow because we have ALL been there.
Your place in heaven is not measured by your good deeds or your attendance in church. It’s not about how many scriptures you’re capable of reciting or the repetitious prayers you speak before bed.
But by the size of your heart.
Its in loving and responding with love. It’s in pushing aside your pride and taking accountability. It’s in giving with no expectations of receiving. It’s in commitment. It’s in forgiving. Just like Jesus did.
Walking with the Lord will test you, and the enemy will always be there to tempt you. And sometimes temptation will look much better than doing the right thing. But always remember who’s watching. You may not suffer the repercussions of your actions today, but you’ll have to answer for them eventually. So when that day comes, will God know you?