The Journey
Week of 03.27.11
It seemed like a good idea… Making Trades
by Terrilynn Obrock
Have you ever heard a song on the radio and thought that it must have been written just for you? The
lyrics strike something deep inside you. Something that you have been struggling with and the song
writer’s words seem to speak to the struggle. You Are More by Tenth Avenue North is that song for me.
It is not always in the forefront of my thoughts, but deep inside is the feeling that because of my past
choices—trades I have made—I have “fallen too far to love”. My choices took me to places I regret
having been and to actions I regret. I “know all the answers and have rehearsed all the lines.” I “try to
believe it, that [I’ve] been given new life”, but often I “can’t shake the feeling, that’s its not true tonight.”
I look at those in the Bible who made bad choices and were forgiven – David, Solomon, and Paul. I draw
hope from knowing that if my regret is sincere, God will forgive me also. But, I still wonder if there is
something so horrible, that God will not forgive someone who repents. I wonder about Judas. We know
that he betrayed God’s son which ultimately led to Jesus dying on the cross. What could be more horrible
than trading the life of the Son of God for thirty pieces of silver?
As I was reading about Judas, I came across the following verses in Matthew 27:3 – 4: “When Judas,
who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the
thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed
innocent blood.”’
What I wonder is did God forgive him? Judas was “seized with remorse.” Scripture does not tell us if he
repented of his sin and asked God’s forgiveness. Did Judas think his actions were so horrible that even if
he repented God would not forgive him? I hope not.
Which brings me back to my fear that my past choices will not be forgiven. When compared to the trade
made by Judas, my actions don’t seem so bad. I have been taught that any sin against God is as bad as
another. It does not matter how big or how small we might think the sin. It is all the same in God’s eyes.
Scripture goes on to tell us that if we repent and ask for forgiveness, God is merciful and forgiving. I want
to believe that this is true. I want to believe that God not only forgave Judas, but has forgiven me also.
"Cause this is not about what you've done, But what's been done for you
This is not about where you've been, But where your brokenness brings you to
This is not about what you feel, But what He felt to forgive you
And what He felt to make you loved,
You are more than the choices that you've made
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create
You've been remade"
~ Tenth Avenue North, You Are More
(You are encouraged to use the SOAP – Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer Method for a guide. Click here
to read more about developing your devotional life. Click here for an example SOAP journal entry. If you don’t own a
Bible, pick up "The Story of God" Bible available for free at the Welcome Center in our atrium.)
monday, 3.28
Read:
Matthew 27:1- 56 (focus: v.27 – 31 and v.54)
question: in this passage, we get a sense of how merciless the Roman soldiers were trained to be
(27:27-31). How is that two soldiers could both experience the full force of heaven and one recognizes
Jesus (27:54) and the other takes a bribe (28:15)? What could this say about God? About humanity?
About you?
tuesday, 3.29
Read: Matthew 27: 57-66; Luke 16:13-15
question: it's a tragic thing to be right at all costs, especially at the expense of truth. And, yet, this is
exactly what the Pharisees did. Why? (suggestion: see Luke 16:14) Do you ever see this tendency
within you? If so, how?
wednesday, 3.30
Read:
Matthew 28:1-10; Daniel 6
question: some scholars see in Daniel 6 a foreshadowing of Jesus resurrection. Compare the two
accounts. What's something new you noticed about the resurrection story that deepens its meaning
for you?
thursday, 3.31
Read:
Matthew 28:11-15; 1 Timothy 6:3-19;
question: per Sunday's sermon, think through your life – in what ways do you 'make trades' on Jesus'
resurrection?
friday - sunday, 4.1 – 4.3
Read: Matthew 13:24-52; Matthew 28:16-20
question: In the second passage, the authority of Jesus' great commission is found in the power of His
resurrection. When He promises to be with us, so is His power. How deeply do you believe that?
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grow (resources to help you in your study)
 Sunday’s Sermon: Click here for podcast, or video
 book: The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel – a very helpful and accessible book that goes to the
skeptic's heart of the questions about Jesus, his death, and resurrection.
 resource: The Resurrection of the Son of God by N.T. Wright – a classic and comprehensive work of
scholarship for the serious student
 book: Living the Resurrection by Eugene Peterson – a small little meditational book about how to
practice the resurrection in our every day lives.
 click here for more resources – this will link you back to the journey's main page.
go (action steps)
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