Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16.

“Come to Me.” Matthew 11:28.

Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous. Psalm 139:14.

And continuing our 351 Old Testament prophecies, promises of God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, we come to number 117: Unrepentant death of the Betrayer. Psalm 55:15: Let death come deceitfully upon them; let them go down alive to Sheol, for evil is in their dwelling, in their midst. And, Matthew 27:3-5; Acts 1:16-19: Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood).

How can we begin to comprehend such beauty and such ugliness in our world? The beauty of creation is a window into the wonder and goodness of Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. And our lives are touched by that wonder and goodness and beauty, because the love we have and share with others is love that comes from the Creator who is love. And the opposite of that love and wonder and goodness is the deceiver of old who cannot understand and does not know anything of goodness – the adversary, who only knows the ugliness of pride and arrogance and lies. Why did Judas betray Jesus and the disciples? He thought he knew better. So did everyone that day acting against Creator God. And what did Jesus Himself say? “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34. What about us? As we come to that place where the ugliness in our world overcomes the goodness we long for in the deepest recesses of our being, turn to the One who loves you and understands. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. Being with God brings remembrance of love that is pure and right and good. And we begin to see anew the beauty all around us, and tendrils of hope not found in this world begin to grow within. And He is here and ready to walk with us so we can learn from Him how much we are loved.

***FAITH AMIDST MISERY – O LORD God, great is the misery that has come upon me; my cares would overwhelm me; I know not what to do. O God, be gracious unto me and help me. Grant me strength to bear what You send and let not fear rule over me. As a loving person, take care of my loved ones. O merciful God, forgive me all the sins I have committed against You and against my fellow men. I trust in Your grace and commit my life wholly into Your hands. Do with me as seems best to You and as is best for me. Whether I live or die, I am with You, and You are with me, my God. LORD, I wait for Your salvation and for Your kingdom. Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), Prayers from Prison (University of Michigan, 1977). Adapted.***