FWD: Morning Manna (Mar. 16); BP: Mt. 26:20-25; RBTTY: Mk. 14:54-72; Dt.

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:21:51 -0500
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Mar. 16); BP: Mt. 26:20-25; RBTTY: Mk. 14:54-72; Dt.
 

March 16                                                                                                                            “Lord, Is It I?”

 

“Now, when the evening was come, He sat down with the Twelve.  And as they did eat, He said, ‘Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray Me.’  And they were exceedingly sorrowful and began every one of them to say unto Him, ‘Lord, is it I?’”

                                                                                                                                       Matthew 26:20-22

     It’s the question to which we already know the answer before we ask.

     Some questions are complex, causing us to have to grapple with them as we struggle for enlightenment and answers.  Others are simple and rhetorical, so obvious that everyone’s hand almost immediately pops up so he can blurt out the answer.

 

     But no question has ever been more poignant and piercing than the one contained in today’s Manna:  “Lord, is it I?”  Although posed by every one of the original 12 Apostles as they reclined around the Passover Table, it’s the question with which we, too, must grapple—especially if we’re serious about our relationship with the Risen Lord.

 

     Stop right now and ask the question aloud:

     “Lord, is it I?”

     Painful, isn’t it?

     Assuredly so.  But, that’s why we must allow the Holy Spirit to use it to strip away the veneer of our pretense and reveal any “strongholds of sin” that may still exist within us that are causing us to betray Him by our thoughts, words and deeds.  Only then can we be assured of inward cleansing and freedom from self-deceit and spiritual blindness.

 

     No doubt Jesus’ words to these, His closest companions, were like a bombshell.  They were already nervous about being back in Jerusalem (Jn. 11:16).  And, His words like “You always have the poor with you, but Me you have not always” (Mt. 26:11) led them to believe that something was awry.

 

     We have times like that, don’t we, Pilgrim?

     Aren’t there times when we know something’s wrong and we just can’t put our finger on it?  Some may label that paranoia; however, in Christ we must always stop in those times of uneasiness and pray, “What is it, Lord?  Is something wrong?”

 

     Likewise, when it comes to following Christ, we must ever be on guard against pride and self-confidence.  It’s so easy for us to be like Simon, who argued with Jesus later on, saying “I’ll never betray you!  I’m ready to go with You, both into prison and death!” (Lk. 22:33).  Later on, he’d realize he, too, was a betrayer, who’d also dipped his hand in the bowl with his Master (Lk. 22:31-34; Mt. 26:23).

 

     Oh, dear Pilgrim, we don’t like others’ criticism or the Spirit’s examination.  Sadly, we too often prefer living with a deluded, false sense of security as we loudly say, “All s well!”  But, inwardly, we know such is not the case—at least some of the time.

 

     That’s why we should periodically chew on this Manna and whisper, “Lord, is it I?”  Then, we should be still and listen. . .knowing the One Who loves us most will reveal if there’s anything amiss that needs attention and correction.