This week, at the youth house, we are continuing in our study of the book of John. We are looking over John 13:18-30, where Jesus tells His disciples that one of them was to betray Him, and He knew who it was. One thing that caught my attention, while I was reading that section of verses, was verse 20. After speaking of the betrayer, and how it would fulfill prophecy, Jesus tells His disciples that He was letting them know beforehand, so that it did not surprise them when it happened. Then verse 20 reads…
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send, receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
This verse seems to be misplaced at first glance. Christ talks of the traitor, says the words in verse 20, and then returns to talk about the traitor. It was when I was trying to imagine what it was like for the disciples in the room with Jesus, when they heard the words He spoke, that something occurred to me. The disciples were hearing that one of those in their present company was going to betray their leader, the one they loved deeply. In the middle of that discussion, Christ reminds them that they have a job to do. They are going to be sent out to preach the Gospel. No matter what is going on around them, no matter that there was a hypocrite among them, they were to remember that they had a job to do, and do it.
It has been said many times from people inside and outside churches all over, “the church is full of hypocrites.” Yes, that is true. There are many who, like Judas, are following Christ, not because of who He is, but because they are seeking some benefit outside of salvation. There are many who claim to be a part of the “Church” that commit grievous sins, and cause outsiders to look down on the church. Regardless of who we are surrounded by, if you are a Christian, you have a job to do. We have all been commissioned to go out and proclaim the Gospel to the world. Hypocrites do not give you an excuse. The message never changes. We are all sinners who deserve the wrath of God poured out upon us, but Christ died in our place, and He rose again. We must do what we are called to do, especially when many are clinging to the world in this day in age, instead of Christ. We must proclaim the Good News of Jesus! To God alone be the glory!