27-Judas-I-A

And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus

Judas - I
WHIRLWIND

AD 20
Kerioth, Judea [1]

�� "And so, fellow bankers, I announce the latest member of our worthy profession, Judas!"

�� Applause.

�� Judas has had a whirlwind career so far.� Where will he go from here?�� He is convinced it can be nowhere but up.

�� "Thank you. This is a day I am more than ever proud to wear my family name. As you may know, my illustrious ancestor, Caleb, explored Palestine just before our forefathers came here to live after their slavery in Egypt.� Then he was given the land on which this very city sits." [2]

�� Judas is politicking.� That is good.� He needs to let people know from the very start that he comes from an influential family.

�� "Mr. Mayor." Judas turns and looks at one of the gentlemen up front near him.� "I hope you enjoy the gift our family has bestowed upon the mayor's mansion, the finely carved solid gold urn."

�� The mayor smiles condescendingly.

�� "As some of you probably know, another one of my ancestors ~ Caleb's great grandson Bezalel ~ was the designer of our forefather's first house of worship ~ the Tabernacle~- and all its golden contents from God's treasury." [3]

�� "Oh brotherrrrr...."� A banker in the audience shifts in his seat and looks at a friend, rolling his eyes to the roof.

�� "I hope I will honor his memory by handling the funds my future clients give me.� And I hope I will honor all of you bankers who have gone before me.� So, I say to one and all, thank you.� And have a prosperous future!"

�� Applause.�

AD 25

�� "Father, did you hear about John the Baptizer?"

�� "Of course.� Everyone has," Simon responds. [4]� "Are you getting religion?"

�� "I could.� I could."

�� "Judas, someone is here for you," a servant calls out.

�� "Shammah!� Welcome, my friend.� What brings you to our humble home?"

�� "I've decided to trace down John the Baptizer and hear for myself about that new kingdom.� Do you want to go along?"

�� "Let me see.� When are you going?"

�� "Next week.� Is that enough time?"

�� "Yes, I'm positive it will be.� I will contact people owing me next week and make arrangements for them to bring the payment here to the house.� My father has done this for me before.� Maybe I should consider taking in a junior partner.� Well, anyway, yes, I know I will be able to go with you."

�� "I've got to run.� I'll see you for sure at my house next Sunday morning at dawn ~ if not before."

�� "When are you two going to quit running after every get-rich quick scheme?"� It is not really a question.� Simon has been listening to his son and friend and does not like what he hears.

�� "What is wrong with allying yourself with the right people?� If the new kingdom of God is really about to start, that means the takeover is imminent.� So I can get a head start investing."

�� "Why would you want to invest then?"

�� "Because this John is a proven prophet.� He knows his stuff.� Everyone is starting to follow his advice"

�� "And where, might I ask, would you invest?"

�� "Before the take-over, I will find out where his headquarters will be and will buy land there ahead of time."

�� "How many others have said they were going to take over the government and failed just over the past ten years?� Don't get taken in."

�� "You know, Father, I get very tired of you degrading everything I do."

�� "I heard that John doesn't bathe very often," his mother interjects.� "Hasn't he become a hermit?� Who would want to follow the advice of someone like that?"

�� "Okay.� That's it.� I'm going into town awhile.� I'll be back when I'm back."

Perea, along the Jordan River

�� "Well, what did you think of John, Shammah?"

�� It is night.� The two young men have ridden back to the nearest town and found a nice hostel.

�� "He has got what it takes.� He has a following."

�� "Do you think it will really happen?� The government takeover?" [5]

�� "Well....didn't he say he was preparing the way for someone else to actually head it up?"

�� "You're right.� He did.� But did you see the way those government tax collectors complied with his stipulations?"

�� "Indeed.� 'Lower your taxes.� They're too high.� Obey the law.' " [6]

�� "And the Roman soldiers.� Did you notice how they fell in line when he gave them their orders?"

�� "You bet, I did.� 'Don't collect protection money, and don't take bribes.' " [7]

�� "Well, we'll go back tomorrow and see what else he has to say."

�� The next day, Judas and Shammah return to the river. The gold gilding on their sleeves and the gemstone necklaces make them stand out from the ordinary people.� They do not care.� The are not ordinary.

�� "He had better watch it, talking about King Herod's private life like that," Shammah quips.

�� "Indeed.� He is going to find himself in prison some day.� He has what it takes to get arrested ~ tenacity.� He's got guts." [8]

�� "Well, for the sake of the new kingdom, he'd better stay away from talk about Herod and stick to religion."

�� That afternoon while John is speaking to the crowd, he suddenly interrupts himself.

�� "There he is!" he shouts looking to one side.� "The one from God!� That is the one who is going to forgive everyone's sins!� He is the very one I have been telling all of you about!� That's him!� The future king!" [9]

�� That is all Judas needs to hear.

�� "Uh, excuse me, Jesus," Judas calls out, not waiting for John to finish his speech.� "May I have a word with you, sir."

�� Of course. [10]

�� "Are you really going to establish the new kingdom of God?"

�� Well, God will.

�� "What is your schedule?� Do you have a speaking schedule?"

�� Not yet.� John has a little more work to do.� I'm not sure when I'll begin.

�� "Well, when you do, I want to hear you.� I'll be on the lookout for you, Jesus."

�� As they walk off, Judas becomes unexpectedly angry.� He rejoins Shammah, still listening to John.� "They will never do it again!"

�� "Who?" Shammah asks.

�� "Everyone!� Everyone is always making fun of me for my get-rich-quick schemes.� They know I am smarter than them.� Well, I am going to outsmart them all this time.� I am getting in on the ground floor of the takeover.� Just watch me!"

AD 27
Jerusalem, Judah

�� Judas watches at one side of the enormous courtyard of the Temple.� He is amazed.� Astounded.� Envious.

�� "Look at him, Father!� That Jesus has backed down every one of the Temple's foreign money exchangers!� And all those bazaar tables!� He's knocked everyone of them over!�� Look at 'em go!" he laughs.�

�� "Well, I'll be!� Amazing!� I have never seen anything like it," Simon responds.� "Could my son have been right for once?"

�� "They're scrambling like a bunch of crooks ~ which of course they are!" Judas continues with glee. [11]

�� "Look at the money he's throwing!� And all those people on their hands and knees scooping up the coins.� They're so stupid.� They don't know the first thing about real money.� Uh, excuse me, Father.� I am going to try to meet that man."

�� Judas heads for Jesus who is already retreating out of the Temple.� He catches up with him outside.

�� "Excuse me, Jesus.� We met about a year ago.� At your baptism.� Remember?"

�� Indeed Jesus does remember. [12]

�� "I told you I'd be watching for you.� You really got to the heart and soul of the Temple hierarchy.� They're not going to like you throwing their money around like that."

�� Jesus is used to meeting people in the rough.� Peter, John, Philip, Andrew.� They are all in the rough.� Others will be too as he meets them.� Matthew the tax fraud, Simon, the malitia man, James the guy with the short fuse.� Jesus accepts them as they are.� He accepts Judas.

�� "Uh, my name is Judas.� Remember?"

�� "Yes, I do.� I have a brother by that name.� Would you like to go with us back to Galilee?" [13]

�� Jesus gets right to the point.� Judas likes that.� "Well, I have a business deal to take care of first, Jesus.� But I can get away in the fall.� I'd like to then, if I may."

�� Jesus is satisfied.� Judas is welcome to join him in the fall.

Summer AD 27
Kerioth, Judah

�� Judas does not hear about Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding shortly thereafter.� Not many believe he really did it anyway.� It's not newsworthy.� There's no proof. [14]

�� But one day eating with an administrator of Procurator Pilate's household Judas is amazed.

�� "You'll never believe what happened to my friend Chuza up in Tiberias.� He's the administrator of Herod's staff.� Moments before death, Chuza's son was healed by that Jesus of Nazareth." [15]

�� "Are you sure?" Judas asks with interest.� "Do you think it was a coincidence?"

�� "I'd stake my reputation on it.� My entire career."

�� "He told me himself.� Even one of the other staff members who knows the family said it happened.� Besides, I've known Chuza since before his son was born.� He is as honest as they come.� He would never make this up."

�� After work that evening, he stops at his friends house.� "Shammah, did you hear what they claim Jesus did?"

�� Judas must explain it.

�� "Do you think Jesus really did it?"

�� "If he didn't, he's got everyone up in Galilee believing he did.� I've got to go up there and see for myself, Shammah."

�� "So, when are you going?"

�� "I can't get away until next fall.� But I am definitely going."

�� The summer continues.� Periodically Judas hears of Jesus healing others.�

�� "Father, have you been following Jesus' activities?"

�� "As much as anyone, Son."

�� "Do you think he is really healing all those people?� I mean, can so many people be wrong?"

�� "I don't know.� But he must be doing something right.� Didn't you say he is the one they claim is going to take over the country and start the new kingdom of God?"

�� "Yes, and I am going to be in on it."

�� "Don't get carried away, Son.� There have been many before him who tried and failed."

�� "Father, can't you agree with anything I do?"

Capernaum, Galilee

�� It is now fall.� His father has agreed to take loan payments for him so he can join Jesus out west and see for himself if he is for real.� If he is, Judas knows he can be a real asset to Jesus' campaign.� He can collect all cash donations and make wise investments so that Jesus ends up with the capital he will need for his own army and whatever else he needs to take over.

�� Judas rides his beautiful white mule to the north end of the country. [16] �Once in Capernaum, he arranges for the finest room in town.�

�� "Where could I find Jesus?" he asks the hostel owner.

�� "Down by the docks."

�� "The docks?"

�� "Yes.� The Sea of Galilee.� He's always down there."

�� "What does he look like?"

�� "Oh, you don't need to know that.� Just look for the crowd."

�� Judas arrives and walks around without seeing any crowd.� Finally, "Where did he go?� You know ~ Jesus."

�� "Oh, he's speaking on the hill outside of town.� They people were crowding him.� Thousands of them.� They left about noon."

�� Judas wishes he had kept his mule with him.� "Which way is the hill?"

�� He gets instructions, returns to the hostel, pays someone to re-saddle his donkey, and heads out of town.

�� Soon he sees a large crowd ahead of him.� It seems there is a small group of men at the top of the hill, with a line of people extending to it.� He stops, ties the reins to a rock, and walks into the crowd.�

�� "Hey, quit shoving!� We were here before you!"

�� Judas strains to see what is going on at the top of the hill.

�� "Is that Jesus up there?"

�� "Yes, it is."

�� "Who are those other people?"

�� "He has a few assistants, and the others are in line to get healed."

�� Healing?� Judas will be able to witness an actual healing?

�� "I'm healed!" he hears moments later.� "I'm healed!"

�� He is laughing.� Jesus is laughing.� Everyone is laughing.�

�� "I'm healed!� I'm healed!" [17]

�� "Do you think it's true?" Judas asks the stranger beside him.�";He really healed that man up there?"

�� "Oh yes.� He healed me.� I was deaf.� Now I can hear."

�� Judas has witnessed it for himself.� He has actually seen a miracle.� It is true.� Jesus can heal.

�� Eventually the crowd on the hill thins out.� A small group of men remain on the hill.� One steps forward.

�� "And in conclusion," Jesus says, obviously picking up where he'd left off, "I want to warn everyone here that what I have told you is to be put into your everyday life.� If you do, you will be like someone who builds his house on a foundation.� If you do not, you will be just like a fool who builds his house right on the ground with no foundation.� When the first storm of adversity comes along, he falls apart" [18]

�� Wild applause!� No one has ever heard anything like it.� He tells it like it is.� People understand him. [19]

�� Judas listens, then stands to one side over by his mule.� Judas waits for the crowd to disburse.� Eventually it does.� All that is left is a small group of men.� One of them has to be Jesus.�

�� "I was impressed with your sermon, Jesus," Judas says.� I would sincerely like to hear more.� May I tag along?"

�� "You're Judas, the man we met in Jerusalem last spring," Andrew recalls.� "We'd be honored.� We're going to eat now.� Come on with us."

�� Judas unties his mule and leads him.� As they walk, the others introduce themselves.

�� "Hello, I am glad to meet you.� My name is Matthew."

�� "What kind of work do you do, Matthew?" Judas responds.

�� "Well," he hesitates, "I collect taxes."

�� "Oh, a money man!� Man after my own heart.� We are going to get along fine.� Just fine. �Hey, have you learned the secret?"

�� "What secret?"

�� "You know.� How to do those miracles?"

�� "If you're thinking of going into competition, forget it.� He is genuine.� No one can duplicate what he does.� And it is not for sale."

�� "Come on.� Everyone has his price."

�� "Well, so far, no one has come up with enough.� He has never shown anyone else how to do it."

�� "Hey, guys," Nathaniel joins in.� "Do not toy with this.� Jesus never takes money for what he does.� He is always free."

�� "Well, what about free-will offerings when he is through?"

�� "Never.� His words are from God.� He performs the miracles long enough to get people to believe he is from God.� Then he teaches them." [20]

�� "Do you think he really is from God?" Judas asks.

�� "I have no doubts at all," Nathaniel responds.� "After you're around him awhile, you will see for yourself."

�� They give Judas time to think.� After a few moments....

�� "I don't know if I can comprehend that.� He is from God?� How much from God?"

�� "We are not sure.� We just know he is.� He talks about it all the time."

�� They arrive at the house where they will eat.� Judas ties up his mule.� They sit at the table on the cushions that are rather ordinary.� Judas does not really notice.

�� Talk is animated.� Sometimes talking about the events of the day, the healings.� Sometimes making comments about his sermon.� Sometimes talking about future plans.� Sometimes during the meal everyone stops talking in order to listen to Jesus.� Eventually the meal is over and they all leave the table.

�� "Hey, Judas," Andrew calls out.� "Jesus said he has seen some potential in you."

�� "Yes?� Like what?� Did he say?"

�� "Yes.� To be a preacher."

�� "A preacher?� Me?"

�� That night Judas returns to his room at the hostel.� He thinks much about the events of the day.� Him a preacher?� The guy who has always found a way to make a fast gold coin?� The opportunist?� The blusterer?

�� "God," Judas prays that night, "being a preacher is the last thing I ever thought I'd be.� Me a preacher?� God, I cheat people whenever I can, then say it's not my fault they were not more careful.� How could I ever be a preacher?"

�� The next morning at dawn there is a knock on his door.

�� "Judas?� Are you in there?� This is Matthew."

�� "How did you find me?" Judas asks, already up anyway.

�� "Jesus knows everything.� Anyway, Jesus wondered if you would like to come over for the day.� He's going to teach us from the Psalms in the scriptures."

�� "Well, I've never read the Psalms very much."

�� "Don't worry about them being boring.� Jesus makes everything come alive."

�� A few days later Judas sends a note home.

�� "Father, Greetings from your devoted son, Judas.� Have you collected very much on those loans I made to my clients?� Were you able to sell that house out in the country?� Was there any prophet?� Reply quickly."

�� Three days later Judas receives his reply.� His father comes himself.� He has a bag of coins from the sale of the house, and also from the sale of some land.

�� "That cinches it, Father.� With regular monthly payments coming in from the loans, and this lump sum, I'll have enough to live on up here."

�� "Have you found your 'sure thing' again, Son?"

�� "There is something about this Jesus.� He has power.� And knowledge.� And people eating out of his hands.� I want to learn more about him.� And, Father, he even said I'd make a good preacher."

�� "You, a preacher?"

�� "That's what he said."

�� Simon cannot stay gone from home long.� He spends one night with his son, then heads back south to Judah.

�� Judas rents a room and spends the winter going to Jesus' house every day for scripture lessons.� Mostly on the prophecies about the Savior to be sent some day to start the new kingdom of God.� More and more Judas is convinced that this Savior ~ the Deliverer ~ very well could be Jesus.

�� "Everyone will look up to the Deliverer when he comes, won't they?" Judas occasionally comments, and often thinks.

��

Spring AD 28
Jerusalem, Judea

�� Jesus and several of his followers go to Jerusalem for the annual Passover feast.� Judas is with them.� There he sees a lame man walk for the first time in decades.

�� But Jesus does it on a Sabbath when the Temple leaders say such things are not to be done.� The Temple leaders get angry and call him down for it.�

�� It does not take Judas long to see Jesus' strategy.� He is forcing the issue.� Judas always did think many of the Temple leaders were hypocrites and just in it for the money and power.� So does Jesus.� Jesus is just forcing them to show their true colors.� Eventually he will make them mad enough they will.

�� Judas thinks that's a good trick.� He might use it himself some day.

�� While down in Judah, he runs over to his home and visits his parents a few days.

�� "Father, he is the one.� He is going to take over the nation.� I can feel it in my bones."

�� "So you're going back with him."

��
"Yes, I have got to, Father.� There is something about him.� He is so sincere.� I have never met anyone like him.� I have got to go back with him."

�� "Wouldn't have anything to do with my opportunist son getting in on the ground floor of a new movement, would it?"

�� "Stop it, Father.� He is different.� He really likes me.� He prays for me too."

�� "Well, good luck, Son."

�� Jesus and his growing group of aides heads back north to Galilee.� But they run into financial problems on the way.�

�� They have to stop and pluck their own grain and eat it right there in the field.� It's legal, but the synagogue leader and the Pharisees claim they are working on the Sabbath.� How gullible they must think Jesus and his followers are.

�� "Jesus," Judas says when they finally get back on the road, "I think I can help.� I can arrange a special bank account so you can accumulate some interest.� And I think I can work some other things out too.� And have you thought of investing in some land for your future headquarters?� You've got to get better organized here."

�� Jesus appreciates the suggestions and says he will take them into consideration.� At the same time, Judas needs to think more about relying on God, whatever that means.

�� Walking back home, they all become closer.� And their prayer times seem longer.� Jesus encourages them.

�� "God, forgive me for all the people I cheated."� It's Matthew� "I'm going to refund as much of the money as I can figure out that I took illegally.� It'll take me awhile, but I'm going to try."

�� "And, God, forgive me when I talk too much." That's Peter.

�� "God, I know I sometimes embarrass people when they are all dressed up and I look like a hermit.� Help me to at least take more baths."� Everyone knows that's Little James.

�� They have been praying aloud together spontaneously.� Like a conversation.� Each has talked to God about what they wanted to anytime they wanted to.� Judas wants to try.� There is a silence.� Maybe he could.

�� "Uh, God.� I've never talked to you much.� I can talk to a financial advisor easier than I can you.� Well, uh, God, I guess I've bragged a little too much sometimes, and I've talked people into business deals they shouldn't have made just so I could get the commission.� Forgive me, God.� If you can.� Can you?� And all those people who don't like me.� Help me like them anyway.� Can you do that too, God?"

Capernaum, Galilee

�� Once back home, Jesus receives more requests to speak than he can handle.� He goes up in the hills one night and prays all night.� Then at dawn he returns to town and selects a dozen men to help him.

�� "And Judas, I'd like you to be one of my emissaries, one of my apostles.� Would you?"

�� "Well, I don't know."

�� "I see a lot of potential in you, Judas."

�� "But preach?"

�� "You attended Jesus' scripture classes all last winter," John adds.� "You're praying more now.� Jesus thinks you're ready.� You make good spontaneous talks.� You are smart.� You comprehend things well."

�� "Besides," Peter joins in, "there are certain people in the crowds who you understand better than the rest of us.� You know ~ the educated ones, the financiers, those kinds."

�� "You really want me!� You aren't afraid of my intelligence as a threat, or my financial genius as a curse, or my political connections back home?� Everyone else always did.� Man!� You really want me!"

�� Jesus smiles.� He holds out his hand, and Judas takes it.� They shake hands, their eyes connect in solidarity.�

�� Jesus knows Judas is not perfect, but none of the rest of them is either.� Except for Jesus who is perfect. [21]

�� Jesus wants the chance to influence Judas to put his talents to work for God.� Jesus knows there is potential for great good if Judas would channel it in the right direction. [22]

�� Further, to help finance their growing number of speaking engagements and tours, several wealthy women join the group.� Judas finds he has a lot in common with them.� They can sit around and talk about tithing and finances.� He cannot do that with any of the others.� Besides, knowing them just might come in handy some day. [23]��

Early AD 29
Cities in Galilee

�� A year comes and goes.� A year filled with the unbelievable.� Jesus, the nobody, preaching before crowds of thousands everywhere he goes.

�� Jesus, the uneducated, confounding the greatest scholars of the century.

�� Jesus, the folk hero who caters to the common masses and somehow thinks they're special enough to heal their wounds, and sicknesses, and broken hearts.

�� Jesus, the man from heaven.� Somehow.�

�� From heaven?� Really?� How could it be?� No one leaves heaven for this place.� Why would they do such a thing?� Earth is crummy.� Earth is full of sickness and deceit and cheating and death.�

�� Still Judas watches.� He watches the crowds who are spellbound by Jesus' words and actions and attitudes.� He watches Jesus.� He is the epitome of success.� Judas is impressed.

�� Sometimes Judas is called on to donate some money to the poor masses.� He does.� It makes him feel important.� The poor thank him from the bottom of their hearts.� They love Judas so.�

�� Sometimes the poor approach Judas on their own.� They do not need healing, but their pocket books are empty.� Judas is sometimes in demand as much or more than Jesus.

�� "I would like to see Judas.� May I?� Do you think he's too busy for me?� I'd just take a moment of his time.� Please, could Judas work me into his busy schedule?� I need him.� I'm broke.� I need Judas."

�� Except Judas is not allowed to loan people money for interest.� In fact, he is not allowed to loan money at all.� He must give it away.

Spring AD 29
Capernaum, Galilee

�� "Today," Jesus announces one evening back home, "I am going to give all twelve of you the power." [24]

�� The power, Jesus?� You mean the power to work miracles like you do, Jesus?� Do the impossible?� Make people follow us around and praise us?� Of course, in the name of God, but still praise us?

�� Jesus needs help.� There are too many people wanting to be taught about the prophecies that are coming true in their lifetime.� The prophecies made hundreds of years ago about the Deliverer.

�� They will need the power to prove they are from God and their words are true.

�� "Oh, God, how could you find me worthy of this honor?" Judas prays alone after receiving it.� "Oh, God, make me worthy of this gift.� Let me honor only you.� I am going to try.� Really try.� God, help me.� By the way, God.� Do you think you could send one of my old friends to me to be healed?� I'd be sure and give you the glory."

�� Over the next few days, Jesus goes out with each one of the twelve individually.� It is Judas' turn.� Jesus listens as Judas declares the word of God.�

�� Then Jesus whispers to him that it's time to perform his first miracle, much as his own mother did him before his first miracle.� Jesus knows Judas can do it.� He won't fail.� He won't make a fool of himself. [25]

�� Judas' first sermon is awkward, but each time he does a little better, and there are more and more compliments afterwards.� His first miracles are simple, but as he gains confidence, his miracles become more complicated.�

�� Judas eventually gets so he can draw nearly as large a crowd as Jesus, and can do just about every type of miracle Jesus does.� If all those people back home just could see him now.

Cities around Judea

�� After a training period, Jesus sends the twelve out by twos.� Judas is assigned to go out with Simon, the political rebel.� Judas is a financial rebel, so maybe they will make a good team.�

�� They take turns city by city.� For a full month they travel together.� Traveling, healing, preaching, then getting a place to stay for the night.�

�� They take turns preaching.� One emcees while the other takes care of the sermon.� Or one heals, then the other one preaches.

�� "Oh, thank you so much, Judas!� You have healed me!� God bless you!"

�� "It was not me, but the Lord, ma'am."

�� "Thank you, Judas, for your fine words from scripture.� You are a fine scholar.� You have a good mind.� You have revealed God's will as I've never heard before."

�� "It was only God speaking through me,"Judas replies.

�� We are having a feast at our house tomorrow night.� We were wondering if both of you, Judas and Simon, would sit at the head table.

�� "I don't think we can do that."

�� "Oh, we wouldn't hear of you turning us down."

�� "But...."

�� "We insist."

�� "Well...."

�� "Gentlemen, we are pleased to have Simon and Judas with us tonight.� They are ambassadors for the Deliverer, our Savior.� We all know, of course, Jesus is that Deliverer.� Will you all give a warm welcome to Simon and Judas!"

�� Applause!� Standing ovation!� Bravos!� Hurrays!� Whistles!

�� This is getting to be heady stuff.� It could be addicting.� Look how much everyone loves them!� Oh, thank you, Jesus.� Thank you, Jesus, they whisper in their souls.

�� "We have taken up a special collection for you, brethren."

�� "Oh, we cannot take it," Simon explains.� "We do not want your money."� Oh, how hard it is to say.

�� "Jesus told us not to take your money," Judas explains. [26]

�� Does Judas hear himself clearly?� He has just turned down two large bags of money!�

�� Jesus needs some new financial advice.� This will never do.� Jesus is sure to get caught in a whirlwind that will hurl him to his doom.� Judas had better watch who he's hooking up with.

���� LIFE APPLICATION

1.�� Greed and power are hard to control once they are in sight, for they are so enjoyable.� Although Jesus had wealthy people helping to support him and his twelve apostles as they traveled, once he began preaching, he never owned a house or anything else other than his clothes (see Matthew 8:20).� If you were in a country where Christianity was illegal, would you be willing to give up everything you owned by declaring you were a Christian?� What material thing right now ~ large or small ~ will you give up to aid your search for Jesus or others' search?

2.�� Jesus said when we give something away but tell it, we've got our reward from people's praise.� But if we do not tell it, we are rewarded by God (see Matthew 5:1 and 4).� Think of something that you will give someone this week and never tell anyone about it.

3.�� Regarding #2 above, how does it make you feel to know that no one other than God will ever know your act of kindness?� Think of other acts of kindness you have always done but never bothered to talk about because it was second nature to you.� How will you make giving to others second nature to you also?

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