Don’t Get Complacent
As we journey towards Easter this year, I want to look at some of the moments in Jesus’ last few hours. I believe that a lot of what happened in those hours still happens today, in a sense.
Take the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. People are still betraying Jesus today – not to death, of course, but they are still rejecting him and handing him over to be humiliated, you might say.
And this reminds me that we must not get complacent. If Judas could betray Jesus, we are at risk too.
Luke 22:3 says this: "Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve." (Luke 22:3) Judas was one of the twelve. He was in the inner circle! He was showing up at the right times, walking with Jesus. But he was led astray.
Recognising Our Own Vulnerability
There's an old joke that says if Satan wants to enter the church, he'll come in through the organist. If that doesn't work, he'll try to get in through the choir members. If that doesn't work he'll try to infiltrate the church board. If that doesn't work, he'll try to get in through the pastor himself.
You see, we often think that the enemy will use strangers who are into weird spirituality to get into the church. That is sometimes true. But when we start to think that way, we get complacent. We place the blame outside. We forget that the enemy is still trying to mess things up inside. He can work from the inside to start causing troubles.
Now please note, I'm not suggesting that we all start getting suspicious of each other! I'm not suggesting we start pointing fingers at each other in church!
I am suggesting that we look at ourselves and make sure that we aren't getting complacent. Because if "one of the Twelve" could drift away from Christ and betray Him - we better not get complacent ourselves.
True Christianity Goes Beyond Church Attendance
There are some people who think that being at church proves that they are committed Christians. They believe that attending church - taking communion - volunteering - serving on the church board - makes them a Christian.
Of course, a Christian does go to church, take communion, and get involved in the local community - but that's not what makes them a Christian! Being a Christian means being saved by Jesus' grace, and living your life loving Him and other people. The rest is secondary stuff - very important, but secondary.
I think we often get complacent because we think: I was at church! I was at Bible study! I'm good!
Judas was as close as you can get to Christ - but he still turned away when temptations came.
Don't get complacent my friends. However close you are to Jesus - don't get complacent. Because as we shall see, a little bit of complacency in our relationship with Jesus can quickly put us on the road to betrayal like it did Judas.
Judas betrayed Jesus – but I’m sure it was a slow descent into that decision. Be careful – don’t get complacent in your faith!