August 10 - Hearts of Stone

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 5,6; John 12

MAXIMize YOUR DAY 

Judas kissed his dear friend, Jesus, on the cheek
while stabbing Him in the back!

It is shocking to see how far both Israel and Judah fell! They seldom did things perfectly, but for the first 1000 years as God’s chosen people (1300 years for Judah) they were always ready to turn things around with the right leadership. But in this moment, in the time of Jeremiah, there seems to be no collective conscience left. The words of the prophets fall on deaf ears.

Listen in on this conversation between Jeremiah and God: O Lord, do not your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain; you crushed them, but they refused correction. They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent (5:3). “Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear: Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord. “Should you not tremble in my presence....these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away” (5:21-23). God had no other choice than to allow their enemies to take them into captivity. The Israelites had come full circle from slavery in Egypt to bondage in Assyria and Babylon.

The condition of their stony hearts help illustrate what we see today in John’s gospel. Picture the meek and loving Jesus, miraculously healing the sick, delivering those in bondage, and even raising the dead. He has hurt no one, helped everyone who has come to Him, and yet He faced constant harassment from those who should be campaigning for Him. The so-called spiritual leaders were so angry with Jesus and the attention He was getting since raising Lazarus from the dead, there were plotting to kill either Jesus or Lazarus or both (12:10,11). Murder is not usually found on the job description of a priest!

Then we have Judas, one of His select disciples, embezzling offerings, criticizing those who give, and plotting to betray Jesus (12:4-6). How did he fall so far to eventually kiss His dear friend on the cheek while stabbing Him in the back (figuratively speaking) for 30 pieces of silver (roughly one half a typical year’s wages).  Who sells out the Son of God?

“Lord, thank You for this time of self-reflection and heart-correction. Help me to keep my heart like soft soil, ready to receive the seed of Your Word and the regular watering of Your Spirit!”